This article is tailored to show you the necessary steps on how to become a librarian in Texas. Book lovers have the most tendency to become Librarians. Those who would tend to books as if they were human, those who would love to promote reading cultures and also want to use their position to help people to leverage the resources and information that a library offers.
A librarian is a professional who works in a library and provides necessary information and access to information, and study materials, and whose service in summary is offering literacy to the world.
Over the last years, the roles of Librarians have been changing constantly, from traditional books to ebooks, from the conventional way of storing information to electronic libraries.
In all these transitions, there have been people available to disseminate and manage information held in data storage.
Also, there are different roles, specialties, and functions of personnel in maintaining these storages and being of service to the public.
Library and Information sciences are ideal courses for talented and young individuals who want to become professionals who combine technology, management, and project research in their careers.
Also, specialization in library and information science will require special training in addition to the general programs to be enrolled in.
To become a librarian in Texas, there are basic but very important and in fact, mandatory educational requirements and they are; obtaining a bachelor’s degree in a chosen course which might not be in the library and information science but should be very much related.
And a master’s degree in library and information science (MLIS) from an accredited program by the American library association. High school courses count too but aren’t really in the highlight. Read on to find out how to become a librarian in Texas in 10 simple steps.
How to Become a Librarian in Texas
There aren’t many qualifications if you want to become a librarian in Texas, but the steps highlighted in this section will help you to navigate well through your career journey on how to become a Librarian in Texas.
1. Filter Your High School Courses
In high school, take courses that prepare you for library science. Your college curriculum might also differ from your State’s graduation requirements so you should take college prep courses.
Being a librarian would require a vast range of knowledge of books and information, so taking courses like ICT, literature, and history will help prepare you for your career.
You might also consider advanced courses like the international baccalaureate (IB) and advanced placement courses available in your school.
Success in these courses guarantees more college credits and helps strengthen your college application.
Courses in teacher assistance and computer applications can also help you to manage your high school plan.
Also, ensure to get in touch with a student counselor or discuss with your legal guardians to help you in filtering your Courses.
You can join a reading club, the computer club and also the library club to boost your knowledge and get familiar.
Browse for learning opportunities that might be available in your school, so get in touch with the guidance and counseling department to help you check in on student activities that might benefit you like working in the school’s library, the computer labs of the ICT department, and documentary roles in school.
2. Conduct Thorough Research
If you’re reading this, then you’ve already started your research process. You should check in with the university of your choice, and check for tuition, location, student body, courses, and in-school programs that are library friendly.
At this point too is when you start saving up and making careful budgets, knowing the courses you should pick (obviously should be related to library science), finding how much of a distance the school is from your house and if far, the nature of their boarding hostels if available.
Also, you should look out for the requirements for admission. You have the opportunity of choosing other Courses if you can’t take a course on library and information science but you should choose some other course that’s closely related.
Remember that while doing your research, you’ll find out the requirements for admission, so academic excellence and proficiency in a required course would be looked upon and evaluated upon submission of your college application.
3. Choose a Specialty
You can choose or aspire to be either public, school, or special librarian. But if you want to choose a specific area of specialty, these are some of them:
- Aquatic and Marine Science Librarians
- Archivists
- Art Librarians
- Bookmobile and Outreach Librarians
- Children’s Services Librarians
- Film Librarians
- Government Documents Librarians
- Law Librarians
Library and information science specialty Courses are recently gaining popularity and are being ranked in very top positions in Texas and the whole of the United States. They are :
- Health Librarianship
- Law Librarianship
- Archives and Preservation
- Digital Librarianship
- Information Systems
- School Library Media etc
4. Obtain a bachelor’s degree
A bachelor’s degree is usually the minimum educational qualification for a librarian.
You can decide on any course between information science/education and information technology, or any other related course.
A degree in library and Information science is usually recognized at the graduate level in Texas but here is a list of schools offering courses an aspiring librarian can enroll in.
University Of North Texas
Bachelor’s in library science
Texas A&M University
Bachelor of science in computer science and engineering
University of Houston
Bachelor of science computer science
University of Texas (@Tyler)
Bachelor of science in computer information system
the University of North Texas
BSc in Business Computer Information Systems
5. Earn a Master’s Degree
In a master of library and information science degree program, students are taught how to access, manage and refer people to collections, works, and information materials.
In the Master’s program, you’re advised to take many elective courses, complete thesis, and portfolio requirements, and complete over 35 credit hours for two years to be able to get awarded a degree.
The core courses in information, library, and organization science provide a background for further study of elective courses and exploration of topics such as research, cataloging, reference, and collections and library management.
One of its prerequisites is a bachelor’s degree, it has an online availability of both hybrid and full-time online Programs and has its course concentrations in school Librarianship, digital libraries, and archival studies among others.
Also, your graduate program should be accredited by the American Library Association.
Some of these universities are:
Sam Houston State University Master of Library Science
- Total Credit Hours: 36
The University of Texas-Austin Masters in Information Studies
- Total Credit Hours: 36
- Program Duration: 18-24 Months
University of North Texas
- MS in Library Science
- Total Credit Hours: 36
- Program Duration: 2.33 years
Texas Woman’s University’s Master of Library Sciences
- Total Credit Hours: 36
- Program Duration: 18 Months
University of Houston-Clear Lake Master of Library and Information Science
- Total Credit Hours: 33
- Program Duration: 18 Months
6. Internships
To be qualified for internships, you should have enrolled in a relevant program and meet all the demands and requirements.
Also, you should get a recommendation from your school.
During Internships, you’re required to display and develop outstanding skills like accuracy in details, information orientation, communication skills, interpersonal communication skills, project management skills, cataloging skills, leadership, and computer skills.
During your Librarian internship, you receive diverse training in library science and the daily functions of a library.
Your roles involve answering patron questions and helping in research and project management and cataloging. Your roles aren’t limited to these but you’ll be assigned duties According to your employer’s choice.
You can also help to handle delicate and valuable information materials, decide the order of collections and also decide the area of specific research work.
Places of librarian internships are music libraries, aquatic libraries, art libraries, and law libraries.
7. Get Certified
Getting the certification is dependent on your state and you’ll have to meet some sort of requirements before you become a librarian in Texas, although Texas encourages continued education for public librarians and has been so since 2007.
There is a certification for most public and school Librarians like the Educator Preparation Program (School Librarian Certificate Program), with an attached 160-hour practicum and the School Librarian’s TExES (Texas Examination of Educator Standards).
These certifications can be in the form of evaluation, passing an assessment, earning a teaching Certification, and many other mandatory and optional means of Certification.
This certifies you to work as a Librarian in any library system you choose to work in. Before you apply for the certification, review your specific state requirements carefully.
8. Get/Apply for a Job
Getting a job in Texas comes with a lot of opportunities and all you have to do is submit an application and make sure you make it to your interview.
Display confidence and proficiency in required areas, exhibit knowledge, and your profile will do the rest.
Do not forget to practice interview questions and make research on the company that you are going to apply to.
Positions You Can Apply For:
- Position of a hardware Librarian
- Position of an elementary school librarian
- Position of an audio/visual archivist
- Liaison Librarian for Education
- Digital publishing Librarian
- Assistant Librarian
- Assistant library director
9. Meet Requirements/Pass Background Checks and Application Processes
Just like every other company, firm, or institution, background checks like evaluating your social accounts and also professional accounts like LinkedIn.
Malicious comments, display of violence, disregard for human view, and defamation.
This is to ensure that the standard of the library systems are maintained, the staff and company’s interests are protected from the wrong influence, and communities
Criminal records and backgrounds are also checked, drug tests, traffic violations, and public reports.
Meeting all requirements would be checked also, although sometimes you’ll be allowed to work as far as you can meet up with all the necessary educational qualifications and requirements in six months.
10. Continuing Education
As you already know, there are no official certifications in Texas State so there are just separate and specific requirements that a librarian, especially and sometimes exclusively library directors, should meet to keep their accreditation actively valid.
A 10-hour of continuing education is required annually to keep a validated accredited degree.
You’ll be needing to submit a workshop certificate to the Texas state library and archives commission and keep a copy of the records of your continuing education hours.
Basic Roles Of Librarians
- They are In charge of educational presentations for students
- Creates finance and budget charts for a Library
- Supervising library activities
- Associates with the members of faculties and the School
- Promotes the reading culture in students/people
- Management of both copyright and fair use regulations
- Implementation of library rules
- Update of library properties, journals, and magazines
FAQs
How much does it cost to become a Librarian?
For you to become a Librarian, you need to go through school and get your degrees and certifications.
Meanwhile, you’ll be spending the following on schooling costs;
Bachelor’s degree
- 4 years
- $45,600- $110,400
Master’s degree
- 2 years to 3 years
- $19,243- $24,588
- Total of 6- 7 years and a total amount of $64,843- $134,988
How much do Librarians make in Texas?
The annual average salary of a Librarian in Texas is generally over $50,000 and they vary according to cities, companies, etc
Their pay rate differs from one another according to work experience and professional levels.
Highest paying city for Librarians (Texas)
Dallas, TX
Over $54,757 annually
Austin, TX
Over $54,487 annually
Houston, TX
Over $53,638 annually
Fort Worth, TX
Over $51,712 annually
Lewisville, TX
Over $48,298 annually
How much does a School Librarian make in Texas?
School Library professionals are being paid well and get the opportunity to work with top students and involve them in resourceful library activities.
The annual pay for school librarians in Texas amounts to $84,000 and an average salary of over $51,700 which differs according to each city’s pay rate.
Online Librarian Certification Texas
These are the list of schools offering online Librarian degrees in Texas;
Syracuse University (Online study)
Program: Online MS in Library and Information Science
St. John’s University (Online study)
Program: Online M.S. in Library and Information Science
University of Denver (Online study)
Program: Master of Library and Information Science
Lindenwood University (Online study)
Program: Online Master of Arts Education – Library Media and Technology Specialization
St. John’s University (Online study)
Program: Online Master’s in LIS: Public Librarianship
St. John’s University (Online study)
Program: Online Master’s in LIS: Management
All these are some of the online certification universities that are accredited by the American Library Association.
how to be a school librarian in Texas
To become a school librarian in Texas, you need to go through quite some processes, but you generally need to take note of these things.
- Obtain a bachelor’s degree in a degree of your choice.
- Obtain a master’s degree in library and information science.
- Complete an Educator Preparation Program.
- Complete the School Librarian’s Texas Examination of Educator Standards.
- Obtain at least a two-year classroom experience in a public or private school.
Conclusion
Some Librarians work in public schools, some in law schools, some at the national library, and other various places.
Being a librarian is not stressful, is a well-paid job in Texas, has just a few procedures when it comes to certifications, and is a job that naturally fits inborn interests.
What differentiates them all is their interests, how well planned they were for their career path, and the opportunities they came across, and Texas is an opportunity itself when it comes to studying and practicing as a librarian.
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References
- www.glassdoor.com -Librarian jobs in Austin, TX, August 2022
- www.ischool.utexas.edu -Librarian certificate program
- www.ziprecruiter.com -Librarian Internship: what is it? And how to become one?
- www.librarysciencedegrees.org -Best Texas library science degrees for 2022
- txla.org -Library careers