Locating the information for certification related to school libraries in each state is difficult. There are links to the various state departments of education websites, but these sites are not always user friendly. As Perritt states, "In the education field, of which school librarianship is a part, a confluence of terms and practices related to licensure and certification exists" (1998, 195). This handbook has been developed to simplify the process for individuals seeking licensure in school librarianship within the 50 states and to provide information regarding reciprocity.
National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification (NASDTEC) Interstate Agreement: The NASDTEC Interstate Agreement facilitates the movement of educators among the states and other jurisdictions that are members of NASDTEC and have signed the Agreement. Although there may be conditions applicable to individual jurisdictions, the Agreement makes it possible for an educator who completed an approved program and/or who holds a certificate or license in one jurisdiction to earn a certificate or license in another state or jurisdiction. For example, a teacher who completed an approved teacher preparation program in Alabama generally will be able to earn a certificate in Georgia. Receiving states may impose certain special requirements which must be met in a reasonable period of time.
The American Library Association's listing of ALA-accredited Library Media Programs can be found at: http://www.ala.org/accreditedprograms/
The National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification (NASDTEC) Interstate Agreement can be found at http://www.nasdtec.org
Information about American Association of School Librarians and Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation school librarianship education programs, including a link to the directory of CAEP-accredited/AASL-recognized programs can be found at: http://www.ala.org/aasl/about/ed/caep/programs.
For more detailed information, please see individual state certifications by clicking the links on the left.
Perritt, Patsy H. "The History of School Library Media State Certification." In The Emerging School Library Media Center: Historical Issues and Perspectives by Kathy Howard Latrobe. Libraries Unlimited, 1998.
