Re: Degree required

[Madeline Buchanan <mlbuchan@SCOTT.NET>]

Since library science was my first choice, I have a bachelor's degree in
library science secondary education and an MLS from an ALA accredited
school.  I have been a school media specialist in several states.

What has really bothered me over the years has been the attitudes of
administrators that anyone can be a librarian regardless of their
educational background.  I have seen school systems where certified
librarians were overlooked because there was a friend of some administrator
who could do the job just as well, regardless of training.  Some librarians
are given the job because of politics.  At other times, certified
librarians were overlooked because they were too high on the salary
schedule or had too much experience.  Some systems say that there is a
shortage of certified librarians so that gives them the excuse to hire
those not certified.

Here in my state the rule is that if a teacher is hired in a position in
which he or she does not hold certification, that person must take at least
6 semester hours each year toward certification in order to retain his or
her position.  I know of one librarian who was a classroom teacher and was
given the librarian's job by the principal who wanted to "grow her own" as
we say.  She is "not" taking any courses in library science and is going on
her third year.

I think a general knowledge of curriculum as well as certification should
be required in order to be a school media specialist.  A system is very
particular about certification for teachers and shouldn't they be just as
particular with certification for librarians?

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 Madeline L. Buchanan           Voice:  (205) 838-7620
 Library Media Specialist       Fax:    (205) 838-7622
 W. J. Christian School         Email:  mlbuchan @ scott.net
 725 Mountain Drive             http://www.scott.net/~mlbuchan/
 Birmingham, AL  35206          http://www.bhm.k12.al.us/~wjc/

  W. J. Christian School is a Birmingham, Alabama public school.
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