Library Directors

High School

Take English, business, mathematics, computer science, and foreign language to prepare for this career. Also, taking courses that require the writing of reports will help you hone your research and writing skills. Being a voracious reader will also be very helpful. You should become a media center aide at your school library to get valuable working experience while at the same time familiarizing yourself with the library.

Postsecondary Training

Undergraduate training will vary depending on the type of library career you choose to pursue. Many library directors, especially those employed in a reference library, have a bachelor's degree in education (in addition to a master's degree in library science). If you plan to become a director of a special library, then it would be wise to earn an undergraduate degree in a related field. Directors of corporate libraries, for example, often have degrees in business. Those who manage a music library may have degrees in music.

All librarians, including library directors, must have a master's degree in library science (M.L.S.) or a master's degree in library and information science (M.L.I.S). Employers prefer to hire graduates of ALA-accredited programs. Visit the ALA's Web site, http://www.ala.org/educationcareers/accreditedprograms/directory, to view a list of accredited schools. Programs last from one to two years. Typical classes might include Administrative Management of Library Information Centers, Human Resource Management in Libraries and Information Centers, Collection Development and Management, Information Technology in Library Management, and Management of Specialized Information Services. Larger libraries or university libraries require library directors to have a Ph.D. in library science or a related field.

Certification

Colleges and universities offer certificate programs in library science, library technology, library media, library management, and related fields. One example is the library management certificate that is offered by Carolina Community College. Students can earn the certificate by completing the following core courses: Introduction to Libraries, Library Collection Development & Acquisition, Library Public Services Operation, Library Management, Human Resource Management, and Customer Service. Certificate programs typically last six months to a year and are available in online, in-person, and hybrid formats. The American Library Association offers a list of certificate programs on its Web site, https://www.ala.org/aboutala/offices/library-certificate-and-degree-programs.

Other Education or Training

Many library directors choose to continue their education by attending conferences, training seminars, webinars, and workshops. Continuing education classes keep library directors current with emerging trends in information services. These educational opportunities are provided by the American Library Association (ALA), Music Library Association, Special Libraries Association, and many other professional associations. Some recent learning opportunities from the ALA included Strategic Planning: What Your Library Board Needs to Know; The Top 5 Mistakes Renovating Your Library; Build Better: Effective Library Project Management; and Translating Mission Statements into Metrics.