Attendees: Aman Kaur, Allison Ameduri, Allison Ryan, Emily Mervis, Alice Chunn, Samantha Kannegiser, Samantha Baird, Jennifer Berry, Dana Eckstein, Joy Robinson, and four off-site attendees via GoToMeeting.
GoToMeeting did not record the video or audio. It only recorded the length of the meeting and the names of online attendees. We apologize that you will not be receiving a link to the video we were hoping to record and archive. We will have to contact SC&I IT to learn more about recording audio and video through a different program.Certification: Dr. Ross Todd
To earn the specialization of school media specialist in the state of New Jersey, students must take the 11 courses required by the Department of Education (DoE hereafter). These courses are delineated here. Three of these are foundational education courses for librarians who will work with youth: 514-Learning Theory, Media, and Curriculum; 575-Management of School Library Media Programs, and 592-Field Experience: School Library Media.
- Upon completion of the required course load, the diploma will reflect the school media track.
- This is for librarians who will work in public schools in New Jersey.
- Certification for other states is sometimes transferable from New Jersey, but, for example, to be certified in Pennsylvania requires taking the PRAXIS exam.
An additional component outside of the 11 courses, required by the NJ DoE to obtain NJ certification, are 3 education classes which can be taken online through Rutgers.
- The curriculum was tailor-made for school librarians by the Rutgers faculty/administration in conjunction with the NJ DoE.
- Online, through Rutgers, non-credit, non-free. Classes are offered during the fall, spring, and summer.
- Those who are certified librarians in another state or currently possess a NJ teacher certification do not have to take these 3 education classes. If this applies to you, the question then becomes whether or not you can transfer your existing certification to work in a NJ public school library.
- Employers generally give one “buffer” year of employment while the teacher-librarian takes the online certification courses. In other words, you can be employed as a school librarian before you complete all 3 education courses. From the start of your employment, however, you have one year to complete those courses.
- If you are currently employed as a school librarian, but have not yet satisfied all areas of certification, your school district may arrange tuition reimbursement in order for you to complete the three education courses.
- Emergency certification: an agreement between the school and librarian in which the school provides employment that is conditional upon the completion of the MLIS degree. The school negotiates with the state DoE regarding the MLIS student’s certification status.
- Since certification is required only for public schools, you can work in a private school without it. However, your salary may not be equivalent to a teacher’s pay scale.
Field Experience
Mary Jane McNally (mmcnally@rci.rutgers.edu) is the coordinator for field experience. The requirements for 592 are a total of 150 hours in a school library under supervision of another school librarian (which, over 15 weeks, breaks down to 10 hours per week). This means that students already working in a library full-time cannot use their own job unless there is a veteran librarian supervising them.
- Students with full-time jobs should contact Mary Jane to discuss the field experience.
- Students take 575 and 592 concurrently to maximize the impact of the library management course and to complement their field experience.
For students who are unsure whether they want to specialize in school librarianship:
- If you are planning on going into a public library immediately after graduation, but may eventually seek employment in a school library, it is possible to complete the coursework outlined for school media specialists. But, you do not have to complete the field experience and the online certification courses. You can, upon graduation and into your career, contact Rutgers and re-enroll to complete the field experience and certification classes.
Networking/NJASL Reflections: Dr. Joyce Valenza
Joyce expressed concern about how new MLIS students are not immediately immersed in the school librarianship culture while taking introductory courses. Her aim is to get us connected and involved in the school library community and to network as soon as possible.
- LibGuides: Sam K. and Sam B. are already working on LibGuides with Dr. Valenza. Anyone interested in contributing should contact Dr. Valenza.
- Networking is important! It is easier than ever with listservs, professional organizations, and twitter. Get your name out there!
- LM_NET: oldest school library listserv, great way to network with other professionals and discover new ideas in school library practice.
- Joyce distributed a handout from CISSL: Center for International Scholarship in School Libraries listing ways for school librarians to connect.
- Joyce expressed appreciation for RASL members who volunteered at NJASL. Conference attendees were impressed that Rutgers students attended.
- Colloquium next Wednesday: Joyce urged us to attend!
Next Steps: Field Trip to School Library
A contact from the NJASL Conference, Renee Rogers of Hamilton High School East, has invited RASL members to visit her school library in an open-ended invitation. One possible week she offered is the week of December 15, when students will be examining artifacts from the National WWII Museum as primary source documents. She will be actively teaching lessons and will have solidified those lessons (content/grade level, etc.) by Thanksgiving. Those interested can contact Emily (emily.mervis@rutgers.edu) and she will serve as a liaison between you and Renee.
Next Meeting:
Our next meeting will be a Happy Hour at Destination Dogs! If you are interested in attending, please fill out this survey: http://goo.gl/forms/07iDM72Li4.
A group will convene at the SCI building and will walk together to D.D. for anyone who does not want to park in downtown New Brunswick or does not want to walk alone. We look forward to de-stressing together! All are invited!