While popular media may lead people to think otherwise, librarianship is one of the most exciting and varied career paths there is. A librarian’s workday is often filled with a multitude of responsibilities, tasks, and other unexpected twists. For example, a librarian may host a storytime, help a patron learn how to use a computer, and answer complex research questions…all before lunch time! Depending on the type of library a librarian staffs, they can encounter all sorts of interesting questions and queries, which means they need to be adequately prepared to handle the job.

In the state of New York, well-trained librarians are important in public, K-12 school, and academic libraries. To ensure quality candidates are hired in these roles across the state, New York has specific requirements a prospective librarian must meet in order to be hired for the role. 

What are the educational requirements for becoming a librarian in New York?

Like other states across America, New York has some general education requirements librarians must meet, no matter what type of library they are staffing. For example, librarians in New York are generally required to…

1. Hold a bachelor’s degree in any subject area. Typically, a prospective librarian can enter a master’s program with a completed bachelor’s degree in any field or subject area. Some folks prefer to earn their bachelor’s degree in library and information science, but this is not typically a requirement when applying to various master’s programs. Librarians often have a wide background of skills and educational experiences because they studied a multitude of disciplines during their undergraduate years – for example, librarians may have studied education, law, languages, the arts, history, or sciences before entering librarianship (just to name a few!).

2. Earn a Master of Library Science (MLIS) degree. An MLIS degree leads future librarians through the various aspects of the job and the skills needed to perform them well. MLIS students can expect to take classes in different areas of librarianship, such as collection management, library administration, teaching and instruction, and reference work. While these are generalized classes, future librarians enrolling in MLIS programs often have the option to choose a specific pathway, depending on the type of librarianship they are interested in pursuing. For example, MLIS programs offer pathways to prepare public service librarians, K-12 school librarians, archival librarians, academic librarians, and more.
   1. It is common for different libraries to require their librarians to earn an MLIS that is American Library Association (ALA)-accredited. This means the college’s MLIS program has been thoroughly vetted by the ALA and earns the status to be considered an adequate program to prepare America’s librarians to serve their communities well. However, not every library makes this a firm requirement – it may be a preferred quality. Before enrolling in an MLIS program, it is wise for prospective librarians to do research in the various library systems they are considering for employment to determine their accreditation preferences for hiring.

3. Earn any specific certifications or meet unique requirements set forth by the governing body of any given area of librarianship in the state of New York. Public libraries, K-12 school libraries, and academic libraries all have specific requirements they expect potential candidates to meet in order to qualify for librarian roles – those are each explored further below. 

How to Become a Public Service Librarian in New York 

The requirements to become a public service librarian in New York are outlined in New York State Library’s Public Librarian Certificate Guide: 

1. Earn a bachelor’s degree in any subject field.

2. Earn a Master of Library and Information Science degree. Again, check with different library systems’ hiring requirements in New York – some may require an ALA-accredited degree, some may consider accepting a degree that isn’t ALA-accredited, and others may not have a preference at all. 

3. Acquire a librarian’s certificate from the New York State Public Library.
   1. There are two types of certificates given by NYSPL:
      1. Conditional: Conditional certificates are typically awarded to people who 1) Are currently working toward their MLIS while also employed in a public library system or 2) Already have professional certifications and completed degrees in library and information science from somewhere outside of New York. 
      2. Professional: Professional certificates are awarded to librarians who have submitted proper evidence of a completed MLIS degree that is ALA-accredited to the New York State Public Library AND have a minimum of two years’ worth of satisfactory experience in a New York public library.

Both certificates – conditional and professional – have requirements for continuing education in order to maintain them. Also, both certificates cost a fee to register.

How to Become a K-12 School Librarian in New York 

School librarians are integral to a well-functioning educational system. School librarians are one of the few positions working in a school that manage to interact with every single student and faculty member in the building, as they are a valuable resource for knowledge, research, and technology. 

To ensure that New York’s public schools are staffed with the best and brightest school librarians, requirements are set in place by the New York State Education Department: 

1. Complete a bachelor’s of arts in education degree. However, if your undergraduate experience isn’t rooted in education, don’t panic – many master’s programs focused in K-12 school librarianship offer pathways for aspiring school librarians to earn their educator’s licenses while also preparing for specific school media certificates, too.

2. Earn an MLIS degree. Similarly to public libraries in New York, it may or may not need to be from an ALA-accredited program – check with school districts to determine preferences and requirements.
   1. During the MLIS experience, complete a minimum of twelve credit hours of study focused in library science in schools and education.
   2. Complete a mentorship experience for one year.

3. Complete three years of paid, full time classroom teaching experience. 

4. Complete state-required workshops, including Child Abuse Identification, School Violence Intervention and Prevention, and the Dignity for All Students Act.

5. Get fingerprinted and have a background check cleared.

6. Prove American citizenship.

While this pathway helps educators enter the K-12 school library successfully upon completion of an MLIS degree, there are other options for prospective K-12 school librarians to follow for certification – check out the different pathway requirements at the New York State Education Department’s website.

How to Become an Academic Librarian in New York 

Academic libraries all across New York follow similar hiring practices to thousands of others across the United States. Prospective academic librarians who want to work in college and academic institutions across New York would need to meet the following requirements:

1. Earn a bachelor’s degree in any subject area. 

2. Earn an MLIS degree. Again, prospective academic librarians should check with various colleges and universities with positions that interest them when choosing schools. Some may require an ALA-accredited degree while others are more lenient on this factor. 

3. Depending on the college or university’s library system, they may prefer to hire academic librarians with additional degrees or specific educational backgrounds. It is common for academic librarians to hold multiple degrees besides an MLIS. For example, if a college library houses a collection specifically for the science department, the library may be staffed by librarians with various science-related backgrounds and additional degrees in fields such as biology, medicine, chemistry, physics, and more! This ensures that the academic librarians serving that specific department are extremely knowledgeable in the subject area and better prepared to assist students and faculty. 

People interested in becoming academic librarians in New York can also visit the Association of College and Research Libraries – New York chapter’s website. The ACRL/NY is a fantastic resource for existing and aspiring academic librarians alike. Through the ACRL/NY, academic librarians and MLIS students can connect with other professionals through networking events, attend conferences and symposiums, read up on current issues and trending topics in New York’s academic libraries, join discussion groups, and – perhaps most importantly for aspiring academic librarians – browse job boards for open opportunities across the state.