Wyoming is one of the most beautiful states and is home to famous national parks, including Yellowstone National Park. It is a western state south of Montana, west of South Dakota and Nebraska, and north of Colorado. The state enjoys all four seasons, with mild summers and cold, snowy winters. Wyoming also holds the highest average wind speed in the country, making the state an ideal place for wind energy conservation. Because of the state’s landscape and weather, there are year-round outdoor recreation activities including snowboarding, snow skiing, hiking, mountain biking, horse racing, camping, and the rodeo.
There are many great options in higher education, including the University of Wyoming, but there is currently no library science program offered in Wyoming, and there are few options in the neighboring states. However, there are plenty of online master’s programs in library science that can be completed completely online. For those looking to become professional librarians, find a Master of Library Science program that is accredited by the American Library Association (ALA). For those looking to become school librarians, first earn an education degree and teacher license, then look into library media degrees and certificates from a program accredited by the American Association of School Librarians (AASL).
This article will highlight various options for online degrees for those pursuing library science while in Wyoming. It will also go over the career options in Wyoming and in the state’s largest cities for librarians, as well as some options for information specialists outside of librarianship. Additionally, it covers how to become a public librarian, an academic librarian, and a school librarian, as well as the current salary expectations for the field.
Master’s in Library and Information Science Programs in Wyoming
There are currently no master’s programs in library and information science offered in Wyoming, but there are great online options offered through other states that are great to complete remotely. Below are our recommendations for online degrees. We have highlighted what to expect from the coursework, how long the program will take, and the admissions process. All of these programs are accredited by the American Library Association. There are plenty of other great online library degrees, but most library employers look for candidates with a degree from an ALA-accredited program.
Master of Library and Information Science at the University of North Carolina-Greensboro
This program is offered completely online, and it is a 36-credit hour program. prepares students for positions in librarianship within academic libraries, public libraries, and special libraries, and positions as information specialists among other organizations and businesses. Additionally, they offer a school librarianship license and an instructional technology licensure with a master’s degree. School librarianship licensure is ranked 8th in the nation by U.S. News and World Report and is a great option for those pursuing a career in school librarianship.
How to apply
Applicants need an undergraduate degree and those with a high GPA will be considered first. To apply, fill out the online application and pay the application processing fee. You will also need to submit official transcripts, three letters of recommendation, a personal statement, and a resume. No GRE is required.
You can submit documents through email: gradinquiry@uncg.edu OR by mail: ATTN: The Graduate School, UNC Greensboro, P.O. Box 26170, Greensboro, NC 27402-6170.
Master of Science in Information Science at the University of Tennessee of Knoxville
This program is ranked by the U.S. News Report as 1st among the SEC schools and is ranked in the top ten in the nation! This program is offered entirely online or can be taken on campus. The courses are highly interactive and collaborative to build professional relationships and provide the skills needed in the workplace. The program is comprised of 36 credit hours. There are 27 credit hours in information science coursework and nine credit hours of electives that may be in a different discipline.
How to apply
To qualify for admittance, applicants need a 3.25 GPA on a 4.0 grading scale and a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university. Applicants must go online to fill out the application and pay the application processing fee. They also must submit transcripts, a written statement, an updated resume, and letters of recommendation.
Master of Library and Information Science at the University of Denver
The closest ALA-accredited MLIS program to Wyoming is the University of Denver in Colorado. The program is also online and can be completed remotely. It can be completed in less than 21 months. The program offers a one-on-one faculty mentorship that provides academic and professional guidance for each student. The program also offers an archives concentration and a certificate in school librarianship. The courses for each MLIS student will teach objectives and principles including applying and analyzing new technologies and new techniques to organize information, communicate professionally with diverse groups of patrons and colleagues, provide various types of information and resources to promote intellectual freedom, and improve relationships between the library users and information and data. Additionally, students will complete an internship for hands-on learning experience.
How to apply
Applicants must have an undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited college or university and at least a 2.5 GPA overall or in the last 60 credit semester hours, or 90 credited quarterly hours of their undergraduate program or other graduate program. To apply, applicants must fill out the online application and send in transcripts, a diversity statement, a statement of purpose or goals, two letters of recommendation, and an updated resume. There will also be an application processing fee. No GRE is required for admission.
How to Become a Librarian in Wyoming
Most public librarians and academic librarians are required by institutions and local government to have their MLIS degree from an ALA-accredited program, but there are no state requirements. However, there are plenty of library assistant jobs and library technician jobs that do not require a graduate degree. Most assistant and technician jobs require a high school diploma and some years of experience. Most libraries continuously offer volunteer and internship opportunities and part-time work that does not require experience.
To become a certified school librarian applicants need to be certified teachers in the state of Wyoming. To be a certified teacher, applicants need a bachelor’s degree or higher in education or a related field. At least a year of teaching experience and a passing grade of 162 on the Praxis Library Media test are also required. Coursework in library media is helpful and preferable.
What Else Can You Do with a Library Science Degree in Wyoming?
Many technology and data companies in Wyoming provide positions for information specialists. One of the state’s best companies is Lunavi, previously known as Green House Data. Their headquarters are in Cheyenne, Wyoming, and they also provide plenty of remote jobs as well. They offer jobs in Data Analytics, Research Data, Software Development, Automotive Testing, Data Modernization, and more. Some employee benefits include 401k matching, competitive insurance options, flexible vacation time, and other business perks like a stocked refrigerator any time employees have a craving.
Cheyenne and Laramie County Library Degree Programs and Career Opportunities
The Laramie County Library System serves Cheyenne, Burns, and Pine Bluff communities. They have three library branches in the system and employ 60.4 library staff and 26.9 librarians. They offer hundreds of children’s and young adult programs each year and provide services and programs for computer and technology assistance, notary services, homeschool and educator resources, 3D printing, business resources and services, meeting rooms, and so much more. Within their archive department, they manage and provide access to obituaries and documents for genealogy and family history research.
Also in Laramie County is the University of Wyoming. This university has 8,518 undergraduate students and offers bachelor, master, and Ph.D. degrees as well as endorsement and certificate programs. The library employs six research librarians and other library staff and administrators. The university has five libraries on campus, including the main library called the William Roberson Coe Library, the Brinkerhoff Geology Library, the Learning Resource Center at the UW Lab School, the Library Annex, and the Rocky Mountain Herbarium. Additionally, the university provides access to and manages the National Park Service Center Library located in Grand Teton National Park.
Casper Library Degree Programs and Career Opportunities
Casper, Wyoming, is served by the Natrona County Library System. They employ 31 library staff members, and 8 of their staff are librarians with MLIS degrees from an ALA-accredited program. They offer children’s services and programs, outreach services, young adult and teen services and programs, and they host book clubs, computer classes, and book authors and other speakers. They also provide a space for a studio so that patrons can create films, presentations, and so on.
Salary Opportunities in Wyoming for Librarians
According to the U.S. Department of Labor Statistics, Wyoming employs 310 librarians, which is the lowest number of positions in the nation. Wyoming’s neighboring states employ 200 to 1,700 more librarians. This is partly due to the small number of universities and the few places with dense populations. The state hires more library assistants and technicians than librarians. There are positions for library staff members in public libraries, academic libraries, and school libraries. The majority of the jobs are in Cheyenne and Casper and their surrounding areas. The mean salary for librarians is $54,460 annually. Librarians make more in Wyoming than in the majority of it’s neighboring states.
Additional Links
For more information on librarianship and library science accreditation in the U.S., visit ala.org.
For more information on current news, events, and opportunities in librarianship in Wyoming visit https://wyla.org/.
To learn more about school librarianship in Wyoming visit https://www.wyla.org/school-library-interest-group.