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Library Information Specialist Endorsement

The Library Information Specialist Endorsement permits a currently certified classroom teacher to work as a school librarian at the level (elementary or secondary) for which she/he is certified. Listed below are the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) requirements for the LIS endorsement for teachers certified in Illinois. Master's students at GSLIS who are certified teachers should review M.S./LIS Endorsement Course Requirements for further guidance. Individuals who are not enrolled in the GSLIS master's program may register for classes as a non-degree student on a space available basis. For more information on this option, see Community Credit/Non-degree Students.

A. Requirements at GSLIS for obtaining a "Library Information Specialist" Endorsement on an Elementary (Type 03) Certificate

In order for the "Library Information Specialist Endorsement" to be added to a student's pre-existing Illinois elementary classroom teaching certificate, the following requirements must be met.

To work at a building that includes grades K-4:

1. Appropriate teacher certification
   
2. 24 semester hours of Library and Information Science courses
   
   These are the courses in the content area GSLIS has determined are aligned with the K-12 content area standards for Library Information Specialist:
   • LIS 403: Literature and Resources for Children (2 or 4 credit hours)
   • LIS 404: Literature and Resources for Young Adults (2 or 4 credit hours)
   • LIS 504: Reference and Information Services (4 credit hours)
   • LIS 505: Administration and Management of Libraries and Information Centers (4 credit hours)
   • LIS 506: Youth Services Librarianship (4 credit hours)
   • LIS 507: Cataloging and Classification (4 credit hours)
   • LIS 590 SM: School Library Media Center: Curriculum, Collaboration and Connections (2 or 4 credit hours)
     
     Note: Some GSLIS courses are "variable credit," which means students may choose to take them for either 2 hours or 4 hours of course credit. Depending upon the choices the student makes in taking LIS 403, 404, and 590 SM, the courses above provide from 22 credit hours to 28 credit hours of graduate credit. If the credit hours from the above courses add up to less than 24 hours, any LIS course may be taken to fulfill the requirement of 24 hours.
     
     Note: LIS 591: Practicum is also highly recommended, which requires 100 hours of working in a school library. Speak to your advisor for details.
     
3. Successful completion of the Illinois Content Area test for Library Information Specialist. For more information see the Illinois Certification Testing System website.

To work at a building that includes grades 5, 6, 7, and/or 8:

1. Students must meet all the above requirements in addition to earning the Middle Grades Endorsement.
2. Middle Grades Endorsement
   6 hours of Education courses in middle school philosophy, curriculum and instructional methods and in educational psychology focusing on the developmental characteristics of early adolescents and the role of the middle grade teacher in assessment, coordination and referral of students to health and social services.
   
   The courses at Illinois that meet these requirements are taught in the College of Education in the Departments of Curriculum and Instruction, Educational Policy Studies, and Educational Psychology. Students must take all three courses.
   
   CI 410: Middle School Instruction: Theory and Practice - 2 credit hours
   EPS 427: Philosophy of Middle School Education - 2 credit hours
   EPSY 430: Early Adolescent Development - 2 credit hours
   
   These courses may be taken on-campus at Illinois or through the new Middle Grades Endorsement Online program offered by the College of Education. Students may also satisfy the middle grades endorsement through coursework taken at another university. See the ISBE website for pre-approved courses available at other Illinois and out-of-state universities.

B. Requirements at GSLIS for obtaining a "Library Information Specialist" Endorsement on a Secondary (Type 09) Certificate

In order for the "Library Information Specialist Endorsement" to be added to a student's pre-existing Illinois secondary classroom teaching certificate, the following requirements must be met.

To work at a building that includes grades 9-12:

1. Appropriate teacher certification
   
2. 24 semester hours of Library and Information Science courses
   
   These are the courses in the content area GSLIS has determined are aligned with the K-12 content area standards for Library Information Specialist:
   • LIS 403: Literature and Resources for Children (2 or 4 credit hours)
   • LIS 404: Literature and Resources for Young Adults (2 or 4 credit hours)
   • LIS 504: Reference and Information Services (4 credit hours)
   • LIS 505: Administration and Management of Libraries and Information Centers (4 credit hours)
   • LIS 506: Youth Services Librarianship (4 credit hours)
   • LIS 507: Cataloging and Classification (4 credit hours)
   • LIS 590 SM: School Library Media Center: Curriculum, Collaboration and Connections (2 or 4 credit hours)
     
     Note: Some GSLIS courses are "variable credit," which means students may choose to take them for either 2 hours or 4 hours of course credit. Depending upon the choices the student makes in taking LIS 403, 404, and 590 SM, the courses above provide from 22 credit hours to 28 credit hours of graduate credit. If the credit hours from the above courses add up to less than 24 hours, any LIS course may be taken to fulfill the requirement of 24 hours.
     
     Note: LIS 591: Practicum is also highly recommended, which requires 100 hours of working in a school library. Speak to your advisor for details.
     
3. Successful completion of the Illinois Content Area test for Library Information Specialist. For more information see the Illinois Certification Testing System website.

To work at a building that includes grades 6, 7, and/or 8:

1. Students must meet all the above requirements in addition to earning the Middle Grades Endorsement.
2. Middle Grades Endorsement
   6 hours of Education courses in middle school philosophy, curriculum and instructional methods and in educational psychology focusing on the developmental characteristics of early adolescents and the role of the middle grade teacher in assessment, coordination and referral of students to health and social services.
   
   The courses at Illinois that meet these requirements are taught in the College of Education in the Departments of Curriculum and Instruction, Educational Policy Studies, and Educational Psychology. Students must take all three courses.
   
   CI 410: Middle School Instruction: Theory and Practice - 2 credit hours
   EPS 427: Philosophy of Middle School Education - 2 credit hours
   EPSY 430: Early Adolescent Development - 2 credit hours
   
   These courses may be taken on-campus at Illinois or through the new Middle Grades Endorsement Online program offered by the College of Education. Students may also satisfy the middle grades endorsement through coursework taken at another university. See the ISBE website for pre-approved courses available at other Illinois and out-of-state universities.