Library Science Degrees Alaska
The state of Alaska currently does not offer any full library science degree programs. Students who wish to become librarians in the state must unfortunately complete their educational requirements in another state.
With that, there are some library science specific courses that are available. The University of Alaska Fairbanks offers an introductory course on library research methods and principles of information organization. To view details on this course click here.
How to Become a Librarian in the State of Alaska
Many people have positive associations with libraries, especially from their childhoods and young adult years. Whether they were regular library visitors for childhood storytimes, searching the shelves for books to finish homework, or using the space to study for important college exams, libraries – and the librarians staffing them – hold importance in the lives of people all over. These positive associations tend to carry over into lifelong library usage, as libraries have something to offer everyone, no matter what stage of life they are currently in.
Because libraries offer so many services and resources, it is crucial that they are staffed with knowledgeable, trained, and skilled librarians. All across America, librarians of all types work in K-12 school, public, and academic libraries, ensuring that the communities using their facilities have full access to the resources offered in their institutions.
Alaska is no different. America’s forty-ninth state, like every other state in the nation, is rich in unique cultures, landscapes, and quirks. Living in Alaska is an experience all in its own, and the library services there reflect that. Like any other state’s libraries, Alaska requires certain qualifications to become a qualified librarian there.
How to Become a Public Service Librarian in Alaska
According to the State Library of Alaska’s public library data, Alaska’s public libraries collectively circulated over 3.5 million items during fiscal year 2022. The staff in these facilities also responded to over 300,000 reference questions and hosted over 228,000 visitors at various library programs and activities across all age groups. Alaska’s ninety-three public library facilities are busy, which means they depend on having knowledgeable and trained librarians to staff their facilities.
Prospective librarians interested in becoming a public service librarian in Alaska would need to meet the basic following criteria, though it is important to remember that Alaska is one of the states that doesn’t necessarily require a completed master’s degree to hold the title of librarian.
- Earn a bachelor’s degree in any subject area.
Prospective librarians can begin their public service librarianship journey by earning a bachelor’s degree in any subject area. While some may choose to pursue a bachelor of science in library or information science, this is not a firm prerequisite to applying for Master of Library and Information Science programs later.
It is not uncommon to meet librarians from a variety of educational backgrounds. Most librarians do not enter librarianship with an undergraduate degree in library and information science – for example, many librarians enter the field from adjacent careers, such as teaching and education.
In Alaska, many public service librarian positions require a bachelor’s degree without any further studies or certifications needed. However, this isn’t the norm – most states do require prospective librarians to pursue a master’s degree. Before deciding to commit (or not commit) to furthering your education, spend some time researching options and looking at prospective public library systems within the state for guidance.
- Earn a Master of Library and Information Science degree.
The most common requirement across America for prospective librarians is to hold a Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) degree. MLIS degree programs are specially designed to prepare librarians to enter library work with full, well-rounded knowledge of how libraries function within their communities. The colleges and universities offering these programs often offer differentiated tracks of study to prepare librarians to work in a litany of different fields, including archives, public libraries, K-12 school libraries, academic libraries, special collections, museums, and more.
Some public library system employers – including those found in Alaska, though the general hiring climate of the state doesn’t require an MLIS – may require (or in some cases, prefer) a librarian candidate with an American Library Association (ALA)-accredited MLIS degree. An ALA-accredited degree program has been carefully reviewed and approved by the ALA itself, meaning that, “graduating from an ALA-accredited program provides flexibility in the types of libraries and jobs you can apply for and enhances career mobility.” While every library employer may not require or prefer an ALA-accredited degree in hand, it is wise to research which Alaskan library employers you may be interested in working for do require it before committing to a specific MLIS program.
How to Become a K-12 School Librarian in Alaska
School libraries tend to function as the “hub” of activity, learning, and literacy within their facilities. Everyone – from the youngest of students to the faculty – visit the school library for resources such as technology access, book access, and research instruction, just to name a few of the great services offered by K-12 school librarians.
To ensure that its public school children are receiving the best K-12 school library services possible, Alaska’s Department of Education has a specific set of requirements for all prospective K-12 school librarians to meet.
- Earn a bachelor’s degree or higher in library and information science.
Alaska’s public schools do not require their prospective K-12 school librarians to hold an MLIS. They are one of the few states in America to allow school librarians to hold only an undergraduate degree in order to work as a K-12 school librarian.
K-12 school librarians interested in moving or transferring to Alaska can enjoy reciprocity, which means the state will recognize any equal or greater qualifications to the ones Alaska expects, even if they were earned outside of the state.
- Complete three semester hours of approved Alaska studies and three semester hours of multicultural education/cross cultural communications.
Alaska has a unique K-12 school librarian requirement that isn’t seen in many other places: the state requires its school librarians to take a minimum of six semester hours of state-specific studies and multicultural studies to qualify for the job.
It is important to note that Alaska is a vast land filled with rich indigenous culture. It was also the second to last state to be added to the union in only 1959, only to be followed by Hawaii. These factors – among many others – make Alaska a highly unique place to live and work. To best serve the populations found in Alaska, ensuring that K-12 school librarians have an understanding of the state’s rich identities and cultures is crucial.
How to Become an Academic Librarian in Alaska
Academic libraries in Alaska hold the same expectations and requirements of their prospective librarians as many other colleges and universities across America. Typically, academic librarianship requirements are far more varied and institution-dependent compared to K-12 school or public libraries, and the ones found in Alaska are no different.
Consider these basic requirements for prospective academic librarians considering employment in an Alaskan college or university:
- Earn a bachelor’s degree in any field.
Like other areas in the field of librarianship, many academic librarians don’t earn their undergraduate degrees in library science. In fact, many of them earn undergraduate degrees in a wide variety of fields, making them an educationally diverse group.
- Earn an MLIS degree.
Similarly to public librarianship, it is crucial to double-check various Alaskan colleges and universities’ requirements for academic librarian positions. While the majority of them will want to see candidates with MLIS degrees, some will also want those MLIS degrees to be ALA-accredited. This isn’t always a deal breaker or firm requirement in the hiring process, but checking to see what colleges and universities are wanting to see ALA-accredited degrees can help prospective academic librarians make sound decisions when choosing the right MLIS program for their career goals.
Library and Information Science Degree Programs Available in Alaska
Compared to other states across America, Alaska’s library and information science degree programs are extremely sparse. There are no ALA-accredited library and information science programs available in the state, though there are other options available for prospective librarians in Alaska.
The University of Alaska Fairbanks offers a couple undergraduate level courses for people interested in learning more about library and information science-related topics, such as library and information research. The course offers foundational skills in research and library usage.
Typically, people interested in pursuing a library and information science degree (either a bachelor’s degree or MLIS) in order to work in Alaska’s libraries look for fully remote or online programs that allow them to complete coursework without having to travel to the nearest college or university offering such classes – which would be within the 48 continental states. Fortunately, there are a variety of American programs offering online courses that allow students to attend from anywhere, even if they are living in a different state.