Like other states across America, Colorado boasts over three hundred public and academic library facilities across the state, and trained, well-educated professionals are needed to staff and lead them. Prospective librarians in Colorado have strong library science degree programs to choose from when deciding how they will pursue their education.
Quick Facts
- Number of ALA-accredited MLIS programs offered in Colorado: 1
- Number of fully online MLIS programs: 1
- Number of program pathways, concentrations, and/or specializations for MLIS programs: 5; besides the standard library and information science degree, the University of Denver’s Morgridge School of Education’s MLIS program offers specialized pathways in academic libraries, archives and records management, public libraries, community engagement, and digital libraries.
- Number of MLIS programs that require prospective students to have undergraduate backgrounds in library or information science: 0
- Average tuition cost for a Colorado-based MLIS program: $63,000
Library Science Programs in Colorado
Online Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) in Colorado
- University of Denver (Morgridge School of Education)
- Program Name: Master of Library and Information Science
- Modality: 100% online with hybrid options
- GRE Required?: No
- Program Length: Approximately 2 years, though the University advertises that students can finish the program in as little as 21 months
- Tuition: $25,000-$30,000/year, depending on a student’s course load.
- Program Overview: The MLIS from the University of Denver’s Morgridge School of Education helps prospective librarians develop the practical skills to understand, communicate, and improve the connections between information, people, and ideas. The program prepares students for careers in various settings, including public, academic, and specialized libraries, as well as business and corporate settings where managing information is essential to the work.
- Key Highlights:
- All students receive a 1:1 mentorship opportunity with MLIS faculty.
- The program recently added an archival focus to its MLIS offerings.
- 100% of the students admitted to this MLIS program receive some form of tuition assistance or scholarship money from the college to help pay for their education.
- Additional Considerations: Though it is an MLIS program, the University of Denver prepares students for positions other than “librarian,” such as community leaders, managers in other fields, and business/private sector employees in industries where information management is crucial.
- Accreditation status: This program is ALA-accredited.
- University of Colorado Denver
- Program Name: Teacher Librarian Endorsement (master’s level certificate)
- Modality: 100% online
- GRE Required?: No
- Program Length: Two to three years
- Tuition: $464/credit for in-state students; $1,464/credit for out-of-state students
- Program Overview: This Teacher Librarian endorsement program will prepare prospective school librarians to meet all the requirements from the Colorado Department of Education for an added Teacher Librarian endorsement to a current teaching license.
- Key Highlights:
- This program results in a graduate certificate and teacher licensure endorsement for K-12 school librarianship in Colorado schools.
- While it isn’t an ALA-accredited program, it is officially endorsed by the Colorado Department of Education, which is a requirement to work in Colorado’s K-12 schools as a librarian.
- Additional Considerations: This program is specifically designed for teachers who already have an educator’s license in hand.
- Accreditation status: This program is not ALA-accredited.
Bachelor’s in Library Science in Colorado
Currently, there are no bachelor’s degree programs with a library science focus in Colorado. However, students can take advantage of other bachelor’s degree programs to prime them for entry into an MLIS program after completing their undergraduate studies. For example, University of Colorado Boulder offers a bachelor’s degree in Information Science, but it is not library studies-specific.
PhD and Doctoral Programs in Library Science in Colorado
Currently, there are also no PhD or doctoral programs in library science in Colorado. However, University of Colorado Boulder does offer a PhD program in Information Science – students there have the option to follow the bachelor’s program mentioned above through the master’s and doctoral levels if they choose. Again, this degree program is not library science-specific, but information science is library-adjacent.
Career and Licensure Requirements for Librarians in Colorado
Like most other states across America, Colorado has some specific requirements for librarians to meet prior to employment in different types of library facilities across the state.
- Public and Academic Librarians
Librarians seeking employment in public or academic libraries do not need a specific type of license to qualify for a position, but there are generally some educational requirements to meet:
- Complete an MLIS program from an ALA-accredited university (though not every library requires an ALA-accredited degree – it is important to check with individual library systems and colleges to determine their hiring preferences).
- K-12 School Librarians
Colorado does have specific qualifications K-12 school librarians must meet to be considered for employment, as outlined by the Colorado Department of Education:
- Have (or obtain) a Colorado teaching license. Typically, these are completed during an undergraduate educator preparation program, but don’t panic if you didn’t study education during your undergrad years – MLIS programs geared toward K-12 school librarianship can help prospective school librarians earn this license during their studies.
- Add a Teacher Librarian endorsement to that license. This is a credential from the Colorado Department of Education (CDE) that qualifies prospective librarians for K–12 school library positions.
- Complete a teacher-librarian preparation program that includes specific coursework and supervised field experience, such as student teaching or an internship (often part of or connected to your MLIS or education graduate study).
- Demonstrate competence through state-approved coursework or similar criteria.
Salary and Job Outlooks for Librarians in Colorado
The Bureau of Labor Statistics currently lists the following salary averages and growth projections for librarians in America:
- Average yearly salary: $64,329 (around $30.92 per hour)
- Growth projections: The employment of librarians is expected to grow by 2% between 2024 and 2034. While this growth rate is slower than average, around 13,500 openings are projected each year – this accounts for retirements, career changes, and other openings.
How do these numbers compare to Colorado’s data?
- Average yearly salary for a Colorado librarian: The median annual wage for librarians and media specialists in Colorado hovers around the mid-60,000 to low 70,000 range, making it slightly higher than the national average. Like most other states, salaries in Colorado can vary.
- Various factors, including location, institution type, and local cost-of-living adjustments, influence this average. In Colorado, librarians working in larger urban areas and in academic libraries tend to see higher salaries. For example, library position postings in Colorado Springs list salaries averaging around $68,000.
Growth projections in Colorado: Because many librarian jobs in K-12 schools, public libraries, academic libraries, and special libraries require master’s‑level credentials (or even specialized degrees), turnover and retirements mean there will continue to be openings for qualified librarians with proper certifications.
Scholarships and Financial Aid for Library Science Students in Colorado
Colorado doesn’t have many library science-specific scholarship opportunities compared to other students, but there are a few opportunities available, such as…
At DU, most admitted MLIS students receive some tuition assistance in the form of Dean’s Scholarships or tuition waivers, which reduces cost automatically for admitted applicants.
Though these are not traditional scholarships, the CoALL offers some educational grants (usually around $500 each) that can be used to support MLIS program costs, professional development, or conference attendance fees.
Professional Associations and Networking in Colorado
Librarians and library workers in Colorado have a variety of state and regional professional associations for networking.
CAL is the primary professional organization for library workers, library trustees, and library supporters across all library types in Colorado. The CAL advocates for library services and offers its members networking, professional development, and annual events like the CALCON conference.
The CoALL offers support for law and legal librarians by offering networking and professional development opportunities specific to this area of librarianship.
The CCML focuses on health sciences and medical information professionals throughout Colorado (and Wyoming), offering networking and educational opportunities for librarians serving in medical or hospital library facilities.
The MPLA is a large regional professional association serving librarians, paraprofessionals, students, and friends of libraries across a twelve-state region including Colorado, with conferences, leadership institutes, and networking opportunities. While it isn’t only focused in Colorado, library workers in Colorado can enjoy the MPLA’s benefits and opportunities.
This organization focuses on providing effective and engaging library services to young patrons. Library workers with a focus on youth services can network, share resources, and attend conferences through the CLEL.
FAQs about Library Science Programs in Colorado
Do You Need a Master’s Degree to Be a Librarian in Colorado?
It depends! Some library systems will require applicants to hold a master’s degree in library and information science to be qualified for a librarian position, and others will allow librarians to enter the field with adequate supplementary education and/or experience. Before applying, read through job postings carefully to determine what education or certifications you need.
Are There Online ALA-Accredited Programs Available for Colorado Library Science Students?
How Long Does it Take to Earn an MLIS?
Typically, a student can earn their MLIS within two to three years. This can depend on various factors, such as:
- Whether the student takes classes full-time or part-time
- Whether the student fails a class or needs to withdraw from a course and retake it later
- Other schedule obligations that may cause a student to slow down their coursework, such as balancing a job or family responsibilities with school
While two to three years is typical, some students can earn their MLIS more quickly or more slowly. It is largely dependent on the student’s specific circumstances and needs.
FAQs about Library Science Programs in Colorado
Do You Need a Master’s Degree to Be a Librarian in Colorado?
It depends! Some library systems will require applicants to hold a master’s degree in library and information science to be qualified for a librarian position, and others will allow librarians to enter the field with adequate supplementary education and/or experience. Before applying, read through job postings carefully to determine what education or certifications you need.
Are There Online ALA-Accredited Programs Available for Colorado Library Science Students?
Yes. Currently, there is one ALA-accredited MLIS program available for Colorado Library Science Students at the University of Denver. This program is also offered 100% online.
How Long Does it Take to Earn an MLIS?
Typically, a student can earn their MLIS within two to three years. This can depend on various factors, such as:
- Whether the student takes classes full-time or part-time
- Whether the student fails a class or needs to withdraw from a course and retake it later
- Other schedule obligations that may cause a student to slow down their coursework, such as balancing a job or family responsibilities with school
While two to three years is typical, some students can earn their MLIS more quickly or more slowly. It is largely dependent on the student’s specific circumstances and needs.
What Jobs Can You Get With a Library Science Degree in Colorado?
Colorado offers a variety of job opportunities for people with MLIS degrees, such as…
- Data curation expert
- Digital library manager
- Web designer
- Digital archivist
- Community outreach specialist
- Information literacy architect
- Librarian
- Researcher
- Museum archivist
- Metadata analyst
- Information broker
- Business research specialist
