Minnesota is a beautiful state with affordable living and plenty of gorgeous scenery because of the numerous crystal clear lakes and surrounding landscape. Residents love the rural towns, and people there are often friendly. For this reason, it’s a great state to raise a family, earn a living, and settle down. However, if you are only looking to pursue higher education in Minnesota, there are plenty of fun events and recreation opportunities while earning your degree. The state’s biggest attractions include winter sports and recreation, the Mall of America in Minneapolis, and the Twin Cities Metropolitan area where the Mississippi River runs through. 

The state of Minnesota is a wonderful place to earn a master’s in library and information science (MLIS) or a certified school librarian degree because of the opportunities available to librarians and information specialists within the state. Both library degree programs are ALA-accredited and have experienced and knowledgeable faculty and staff. It is best to earn a degree in Minnesota if your ultimate goal is to live and work in the state because the programs will guarantee you have proper certification in the state. However, a degree from either program will prepare you for working in various information settings and for setting up and running a library of any kind. 

In this article, we will look at the two master programs in library and information science that Minnesota offers, and the job outlook of librarians. One of the programs is for general library and information science and the other is a master’s degree specific to school librarianship. Both of the universities with an MS in library science program have a certified school librarian option. The article goes into detail on how to apply to the programs and what to expect from the program and the university. Additionally, the article has a fair amount of data and information on careers in academic libraries, public libraries, archiving, and more. 

ALA Accredited Masters in Library Science and MLIS Programs in Minnesota 

Most states, including Minnesota, require or prefer library and information professionals to have a degree from an ALA-accredited program. To be a librarian in an academic setting or a public library setting, an MLIS degree is preferred. For those looking into school librarianship, or library media, a certificate for school librarianship is required for that state. Only some states accept degrees and certifications from other states for library media professionals. So, if you want to work in Minnesota, it is best to earn your degree from one of the following programs.

Master of Library and Information Science at St. Catherine University 

The MLIS program at St. Catherine University prepares students for various library positions in academic libraries, public libraries, and special library settings. Additionally, students will learn how to create, organize, share, use, and analyze information. During and after the program, the university offers opportunities for students to collaborate with other students and faculty for research and to build strong professional relationships. 

The university, and this program specifically, puts a lot of emphasis on social justice education including courses that focus on analyzing social problems with power, marginalization, and privilege and how to work to help individuals in marginalized groups. Additionally, they have courses in information technology, research methods, literacy, and leadership. 

• ALA-accredited
• 36-credit hour program 
• Must be completed in five years
• Library media licensure option

How to apply

If you have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and have at least a 3.0-grade point average on a 4.0 grading scale, then you qualify for admission and can proceed to apply. For the application, you will need to write and send in a 1000-1500 word essay relating to the library field, or your interest in the program. Additionally, you will need to fill out an online application, send in a resume, letters of recommendation, and transcripts, and pay the application fee. 

MS School Library and Information Studies at Minnesota State University at Mankato

This program is a great option for those wishing to be library media specialists, or school librarians because it is one of the few MS programs whose main focus is school librarianship. The program will prepare MS students for teaching classes, help other teachers with preparing for classes, and help elementary through high school students find books they want to read and books they need for class and research. MS students will also learn how to conduct their own scholarly research in the library and information science field, and how to use different types of research methods.

The program is not only accredited by the American Library Association (ALA), but also by the Council for the Accreditation of Education Preparation (CAEP) and the American Association of School Librarians (AASL). Accredited by all three associations requires a program with full courses and knowledgeable faculty in library and information science, education, and school librarianship. Additionally, students must graduate with licensure in library media or school librarianship with the state of Minnesota. 

• Certificate degree program
• ALA, AASL, and CAEP accredited 
• Online program
• 24-26 month program
• Offers other Information MS degrees in Geographic Information Science, Information Technology, and Health Informatics and Analytics 

How to apply

For applicants to qualify for the program, they must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and have a minimum of a 3.0-grade point average on a 4.0 grading scale. Then applicants can apply online and pay the application fee. Then, applicants can send in transcripts, an updated resume, and two letters of recommendation from someone who can attest to the experience, potential for success, and abilities of the applicant regarding the program.  

Sponsored MLIS Degree Programs Offered Online*

How to Become a Librarian in Minnesota 

To become a librarian in Minnesota, you must have a master of library and information science, preferably from an ALA-accredited program. Most library employers require the school to be ALA-accredited. 

To become a school librarian, you must go through all the updated steps required by the state. It is best to either receive a certificate or degree from a CAEP and AALA-accredited program for school librarianship or follow the process online. 

St. Paul Library Science Degree Programs and Career Opportunities

You can earn a degree in school librarianship at St. Cathrine University and become a school librarian or media specialist, in the capital city of St. Paul. If you already have a degree in library media or library science, then there are plenty of career opportunities for you in St. Paul, including academic librarian positions, public librarian positions, and school librarian positions. 

Some librarian employers include St. Paul Public School System which is the main schooling system in the area, and there are other good private schools as well. There are also multiple universities including St. Catherine University, Metropolitan State University Macalester University, Concordia University of St. Paul, and Hamline University. Additionally, the St. Paul Public Library System has many librarian positions among its 13 library branches. 

If you are looking for a career in archiving, St. Paul is a good city to find employment for that as well. The city’s main attraction is its museums. The most notable museums in St. Paul include the Science Museum of Minnesota, the Cathedral of St. Paul, and James J. Hill House. Additionally, the headquarters for the Minnesota Historical Society is in St. Paul as well as the Minnesota State Archives. 

What else can you do with a Library Science Degree in Minnesota?

In Minnesota, those with a master’s in library and information science can find careers in large companies such as software developers, marketing managers, museum curators, archivists, digital information managers, and more. There are many historical archives and museums, including Minnesota History Center, Northeast Minnesota History Center, Hennepin History Museum, and the Mill City Museum. Some other companies and organizations in Minnesota, that are looking for information science professionals, include Ecolab, UnitedHealth Group, C.H. Robinson Worldwide, and Xcel Energy. 

Minnesota Library Science Career and Salary Opportunities

The annual wage for librarians in Minnesota is $65,710, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, and the state has around 2,330 librarian positions. This includes school librarians, public librarians, and academic librarians. 

One of the largest public library systems in the state is the Hennepin County Public Library System and they have around 40 library locations. Additionally, they provide at-home services and other outreach services for the Hennepin community. Plus, they offer genealogy services and have a large archive collection. 

One of the largest school districts and higher-rated school districts is Anoka-Hennepin Public School District. They have an A rating from Niche, which grades based on grades, ACT and SAT scores, student and faculty feedback, graduation rate, and more. 

Additionally, there are large and prestigious universities in Minnesota, including the University of Minnesota, Minnesota State University, and the University of St. Thomas. Both the University of Minnesota and the University of St. Thomas have accredited law schools as well. 

Additional Links

To learn more about librarianship, and to find online resources for library professionals visit https://www.ala.org/

Minnesota Library Association has annual meetings and conferences and provides resources and information for librarians in Minnesota. For more information visit https://www.mnlibraryassociation.org/