We Are Teacher-Librarians!

To be a public school librarian in Texas, you have to be a teacher first with two years of teaching experience, and then you need to get a Master of Library Science degree, and then a Learning Resources Endorsement (K-12) certificate.

A Master's degree, you say? Yes!

Here are the course offerings from Sam Houston State University:

Collection Development

Organization of Collections

Information Services and Resources I

School Library Administration

Literature for Children

Library Internship

Research Design and Methodology

School Librarianship

Literature for Young Adults

Computer Science Applications to Librarianship

Internet for School Librarians

All these courses prepare us well

• to select materials for the collections that are age-appropriate and interesting to our unique group of students,
• to maintain and keep our collections balanced according to our standards and guidelines,
• to protect students' First Amendment rights to read and advocate for their rights to choose their own reading materials,
• to find the right book for the students,
• to analyze literature for students of all ages and to evaluate it on its merits,
• to keep our collections up to date,
• to use reference materials in print and online,
• to be expert information organizers and searchers,
• to use a variety of computer science skills and tools,
• to keep learning computer skills when we complete our degrees,
• to understand how the Internet works and filters for students in order to better serve and teach them,
• to network across the world with librarians,
• to manage the staff and facility
• to administer the budgets according to the law
• to order, process, catalog, and care for materials
• to catalog materials so that patrons may easily access them
• to design or remodel a library facility to meet learner needs, down to the ADA law requirements, the plugs in the wall and the fire escape requirements
• to design curriculum
• to teach
• to search reviews about technology and equipment as well as books in order to make wise purchases of equipment and software

What do we teach?

• We collaborate with classroom teachers to teach their TEKS in any subject.
• We teach classes, small groups, and a lot of one-on-one sessions.
• We teach how to find information that is
  • recent
  • reliable
  • relevant
  • readable.
• We teach how to use libraries and online catalogs.
• We teach how to use databases.
• We teach how to use a variety or resources.
• We teach how to judge information on the Internet or in any source.
• We teach how to be safe online.
• We teach how to use information ethically and in compliance with copyright laws.
• We teach technology.
• We teach design principles.
• We teach about accessibility.
• We teach online tools and which one to use for which project.
• We teach about collaborative tools for group projects.
• We teach about wikis.
• We teach how to use equipment and mobile devices.
• We teach people to think.
• We teach people to process.
• We teach people to analyze.
• We teach people to do things a better, easier, more efficient way.
• We teach how to find a book that is readable.
• We teach literary genres.
• We teach how to make book trailers.
• We teach whatever a teacher needs us to help teach! We know all about curriculum design!