Librarian Certification
Public Library
Certification
All public library
directors in libraries receiving state aid are required to have a certification
level based on the population of the service area of the library where they are
employed. The certification levels are: library assistant, provisional librarian,
and professional librarian. A library assistant has completed at least 2
academic years of college education and completed 9 credit hours of library
science courses. A provisional librarian has at least a bachelor's degree from
a 4-year college or university and has completed at least 12 credit hours of
library science courses. A professional librarian has at least a bachelor's
degree from a 4-year college or university and a master's degree in library
science. More information about certification levels can be found in the
Public Library Code.
All applications for
librarian certification must be submitted to the Pennsylvania Department
of Education through TIMS. Directions have been provided
to help you with the process.
Continuing Education Requirements for Public Libraries
For a public library or public library system to receive Quality
Libraries Aid, "the library director of the local library or library system
shall annually attend at least eight hours of continuing education programs
approved by the Office of Commonwealth Libraries." (Education Code (24
PA.C.S.) - Public Library Code, §9334(c)(5).
For a public library or public library system to qualify for
Incentives for Excellence Aid, "the local library or member library within a
library system shall require at least six hours of continuing education every
two years for paid staff working at least 20 hours per week in direct support
of the library service." (Education Code (24 PA.C.S.) - Public Library Code,
§9335(b)(4)).
School Library
Certification
Pennsylvania
teaching certificates with endorsement in school librarianship may be issued to
graduates of Pennsylvania colleges and universities, who have completed a
school librarianship preparation program, received a competency recommendation
from the preparing institution, completed the test requirements for
professional certification in PA, passed the Praxis test, and met all other
requirements provided by PA law. More information can be found on the School Library Certification page.
Have a question about our services and collections?
Please contact the Library Development staff at State Library with
additional questions (717-787-8007).