You are embarking on a career in which you will be an active participant in helping K-12 students learn.  You will work collaboratively with teachers in the teaching-learning process and contribute your skills in evaluating and using resources in all print and electronic formats and in using instructional technology to help teachers teach and students learn.

The information provided in the School Library Certification Program section of the LIS Web Site outlines the requirements of the SLCP and what you need to do to meet the requirements as effectively and efficiently as possible. 

When you successfully complete the requirements of the SLCP program and of the Master of Library and Information Science degree program, you will earn two credentials:

• An Instructional I or Instructional II certificate in Library Science, K-12, from the Pennsylvania Department of Education
• Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) degree from the University of Pittsburgh

• Key Dates
• University of Pittsburgh
• School of Information Sciences
• Library and Information Sciences Program
• School Library Certification Program
• SLCP Directors and Faculty
• SLCP Curriculum & Competencies Overview
• Vision and Mission Statements
• Goals for the School Library Certification Program 2005/06

• 1901
  The School was founded at the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh to train librarians to work with children.
• 1962
  The School moved to the University of Pittsburgh, and the Pennsylvania Department of Education approved a certification program for school librarians.
• 1998
  SIS Associate Dean, Dr. Mary K. Biagini, is appointed the Director of the SLCP, in addition to her School-wide administrative responsibilities. Dr. Biagini advises all SLCP students, teaches (in collaboration with practitioners) courses in Resources for Young Adults, School Library Media Center Management, and Multicultural Resources and Services, and supervises SLCP practicum experiences.
• 1999
  The Committee on Accreditation of the American Library Association approved re-accreditation of the MLIS degree program for seven years, the longest period of re-accreditation granted.
• 2001
  The School celebrated its Centennial.
• 2001
  The Department of Library & Information Science launched the FastTrack MLIS, a Web-based MLIS degree program, with the School Library Certification Program as one of the options offered.
• 2003
  The SLCP was granted continued approval by the PDE for five years. The Program was commended for the “quality of the required studies and experiences”.
• 2005
  The school prepares for reaccredidation for the MLIS program.
• 2006
  The SLCP is ranked ninth in the country in the 2006 U.S. News & World Report rankings of School Library Media Programs.

• The University was founded in 1787 as the first institution of higher learning west of the Alleghenies.
• The University is a State-related institution in Pennsylvania with a total budget of 1.5 billion dollars, 12% of which comes from state funding.
• The University is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), the 63 leading doctoral-granting research institutions in the U.S. and Canada.
• The University received research funding in excess of $250 million per year and is ranked in top ten of National Institute of Health funded medical schools.
• Jonas Salk developed world’s first polio vaccine here.

• SIS offers six degree programs:  Bachelor of Science in Information Science, Master of Library and Information Science, Master of Science in Information Science, Master of Science in Telecommunications, PhD in Information Science, PhD in Library and Information Science.
• SIS enrolls more than 700 students with 32 faculty members.  Dean is Dr. Ronald L. Larsen.
• The SIS budget is $6 million; research funding is more than over $4 million per year; and financial aid tuition is $1.8 million.

• The Master of Library and Information Science degree ranked seventh in country by U.S. News & World Report in 2006.  All Specializations offered are also ranked in the top ten.
• 393 MLIS students were enrolled in Fall Term 2005, 60% were full time.  The MLIS program offers specializations in School Library Certification Program, Archives and Records Management, Medical Librarianship/Medical Informatics, Digital Libraries and Children & Youth Services.
• The FastTrack MLIS Program began in Summer session 2001; the sixth cohort began in Summer Term 2006.  The fourth cohort graduated in April 2006.

• The SLCP offers three certification programs approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education:  Endorsement (1 of 7 PDE-approved programs), Intern (1 of 3 PDE-approved programs), Supervisor (only PDE approved program in Pennsylvania ).
• More than 100 students are enrolled in both the Endorsement Option and the Intern Option (20+% of enrolled MLIS students) as full-time and part-time students on campus and in the FastTrack MLIS Program.
• Recipient of $147,000+ SLCP Fund to enhance program for all SLCP students.
• SLCP Student Award of $2,500 is awarded each April to the outstanding student with professional promise, and awards of $5000 each are made to the finalists.

Among the faculty associated with the School Library Certification Program since its beginnings in 1962:

• Ruth Ann Davies and Shirley Pittman, adjunct faculty in 1960s and 70s
• Dr.Peggy Sullivan, Director of the SLCP in early 1970s
• Dr.Blanche Woolls, Director of the SLCP, 1973-1997
• Dr. Margaret Kimmel, Services to Youth, Children’s Literature, Storytelling,1977 - 2006
• Dr.Carla Hayden, Technology, 1988-1992
• Dr.Celeste DiCarlo Nalwasky, Adjunct faculty, 1980s and 90s
• Dr.Mary Kay Biagini, 1988 – present; Director, 1998 – present
• Sally Myers, Adjunct Faculty, 1999 – present
• D’nis Lynch, Practicum Supervisor, 1998, 2002 – present
• Amy Eidenshink, Adjunct Faculty, 2004 – present
• Mary Grace Kelly, Teaching Assistant, 2004 – present
• Jesse McDonnell, Teaching Assistant, 2005 – present
• Michelle Fossum, Teaching Assistant,  2003 – present

Rationale

The curriculum of the School Library Certification Program (SLCP) is competency based and engages students in active learning experiences in collaboration with practitioners to develop, apply, and master the competencies established in Guidelines for Library Science, K-12, by the Pennsylvania Department of Education in 2001.

The curriculum is based on the concepts of Information Power: Building Partnerships for Learning, national guidelines developed by the American Association of School Librarians and the Association for Educational Communication and Technology in 1998.
The curriculum embodies “building partnerships for learning,” the primary concept of Information Power, through the active collaboration of SLCP students and faculty with outstanding practitioners in a wide range of coursework, other learning experiences, related field experiences and the practicum.

These outstanding practitioners are involved in the teaching and team teaching of courses, in related educational experiences such as the Mentor Match, in field experiences related to specific courses and in the capstone practicum experience. Students develop competencies under the guidance of skilled and experienced practitioners, who contribute a necessary component of “real-life best practices.”

In 2003 the American Association of School Librarians approved Standards for Initial Programs for School Library Media Specialist Preparation that has been incorporated into the curriculum along with Information Power: Building Partnerships for Learning and the PDE Guidelines for Library Science, K-12. These standards have been approved by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). There is considerable overlap among these three documents.

The AASL Standards identify four areas of competencies for school library media candidates:

1. Use of Information and Ideas:
   • Efficient and Ethical Information-Seeking Behavior
   • Literacy and Reading
   • Access to Information
   • Stimulating Learning Environment
2. Teaching and Learning:
   • Knowledge of Learners and Learning
   • Effective and Knowledgeable Teacher
   • Information Literacy Curriculum
3. Collaboration and Leadership:
   • Connection with the Library Community
   • Instructional Partner
   • Educational Leader
4. Program Administration:
   • Managing Information Resources: Selecting, Organizing, Using
   • Managing Program Resources: Human, Financial, Physical
   • Comprehensive and Collaborative Strategic Planning and Assessment

Vision 2006/2007
The school library certification program is recognized by employers, alumni, potential students, and peer programs in the educational community as the leading program in Pennsylvania for the education of school librarians from pre-service through continuing education and as one of the best such programs in the United States.

1. Continue to increase commitment and financial support from the University, and the School, from SLCP alumni, and from grants to provide resources to take a quality program to its next level of excellence.

2. Sustain the SLCP curriculum as an integrated, competency-based program offered in collaboration with outstanding practitioners that prepares its graduates to demonstrate competencies established by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) and the American Association of School Librarians' Information Power.

3. Sustain close, professional relationships with school librarians in all western Pennsylvania schools and with the leadership of local, state and national professional associations for school librarians to benefit SLCP students.

4. Continue to collaborate with exemplary school librarians in course work and other learning, field, and practicum experiences in the SLCP curriculum to develop students' competencies.

5. Continue to recruit students nationally to the on-campus and FastTrack MLIS School Library Certification Program and to the School Library Supervisor Certificate who possess outstanding academic credentials and a strong desire to be leaders in elementary and secondary learning communities.

6. Revive the Summer Institutes as professional development opportunities offered as an approved PDE Act 48 provider to practitioners to enhance competencies.