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Study to Serve Children and Youth

School library information specialists play one of the most important roles in today’s complex and dynamic educational landscape. They serve as experts in information literacy and equity, empower students of all backgrounds and abilities to follow their curiosities, and help shape learning curricula.

This powerful program prepares you for outstanding service at the elementary, middle and high school levels. 

Multiple Pathways of Study 

Choose from two programs to reach your professional goals.

The ÐÔÊÓ½ç Difference

Ours is one of the most respected graduate programs in school library media in the Chicago area. That’s because of our record of developing highly qualified school librarians who advance the mission of their schools and communities in lasting ways.

Our Chicagoland location means you’ll be studying in a dynamic region full of options for completing your clinical practice and finding employment in the field. And, you can study for your school library media endorsement in a format that works for you.

• Our courses are offered in a mix of online, in-person and hybrid formats
• Choose master’s degree or endorsement-only paths, depending on your goals and prior experience
• Select from multiple in-person class times, including evenings
• Put your learning to work immediately in our vast network of clinical practice settings
• Connect to a strong alumni network of school library leaders

Graduates of ÐÔÊÓ½ç’s School of Information Studies continue to meet and exceed program standards and completion rates—and enter into a wide variety of professional positions in the field upon graduation.

A Comprehensive Curriculum

In courses drawn from ÐÔÊÓ½ç’s outstanding Library and Information Science graduate program, you’ll study the principles of librarianship with a special focus on service to children and youth. You’ll examine the core concepts of teaching and learning, as well as information access and delivery. You’ll learn to integrate library services and school curricula, and you’ll master the subtleties of information literacy and instructional technology, as well as program administration, assessment and advocacy. The program places special emphasis on the philosophies of elementary, middle and secondary schools, and on the developmental psychology of students at those grade levels.

Areas covered include:

• General principles of librarianship with particular focus on service to children and youth
• Information literacy and instructional technology
• Integration with the school curriculum
• Program administration, assessment, and advocacy
• Leadership and strategic communication

You’ll be prepared to guide both students and your fellow teachers in accessing, evaluating and managing information. More broadly, you’ll be ready to make ethical, value-centered decisions, facilitate user learning, organize knowledge systems, and integrate information resources into the full learning experience.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Prepare for a Career Where You Can Make a Difference

School librarianship is a complex and impactful profession that makes learning curricula exciting and dynamic, fosters a lifelong love of learning and teaches students to become discerning and effective users of information and technology. 

Be a part of something meaningful and in-demand. Be part of ÐÔÊÓ½ç.