Governor Phil Murphy • Lt. Governor Tahesha Way

School Library Media Specialist

Endorsement Code: 2855

Note: Requirements, passing test scores, and fees are subject to change without notice.

The School Library Media Specialist (SLMS) endorsement authorizes the holder to serve as a school library media specialist in preschool through grade 12. The functions include: delivery of instruction in information literacy skills; the development and coordination of school library media programs and resources; and the delivery of instruction in the evaluation, selection, organization, distribution, creation, and utilization of school library media. Media are defined as all print, non-print, and electronic resources, including the technologies needed for their use.

To be eligible for the SLMS Certificate of Eligibility (CE), a candidate must meet the following:

Degree Requirement

Hold a master’s degree in library media studies from an accredited college or university.

To be eligible for the School Library Media Specialist Certificate of Eligibility with Advanced Standing (CEAS), a candidate must meet the following:

Degree Requirement

Hold a master’s degree from an accredited college or university.

Certification Requirement

Hold a standard New Jersey or out-of-state instructional certificate. (A military science endorsement will not satisfy this requirement.)

Required Graduate Study

Option one

Complete a New Jersey Department of Education-approved graduate program that specifically prepares the candidate for the certificate.

Option two

Complete a program of graduate studies consisting of a minimum of 36 semester-hour credits in a coherent sequence of studies, to include the following:

  • Organization and coordination of school library media programs, resources, and instruction to provide a sequential course of study for students;
  • Application of learning theory to reading, listening, and viewing library media resources;
  • Access, evaluation, selection, and utilization of library media resources;
  • Design and development of multimedia materials;
  • Design, development, and integration of information literacy skills and the library media program throughout the school curriculum;
  • Integration of educational resources and technology throughout the school curriculum;
  • Children’s literature and young adult literature;
  • Development and implementation of policies and procedures for effective and efficient acquisition, cataloging, processing, circulation, and maintaining equipment and resources to ensure equitable access;
  • Development, implementation, and evaluation of library media programs to meet educational goals, including management of library personnel, resources, and facilities; and
  • Utilization of current and emergent technologies in all phases of school library media programs;
  • Clinical experience that includes instruction and management. This shall be completed in a school library media center.

 

This certificate is requested by a school district for a newly hired School Library Media Specialists (SLMS) after the SLMS obtains a Certificate of Eligibility (CE) or a Certificate of Eligibility with Advanced Standing (CEAS). A candidate cannot apply for this certificate on their own.

Novice SLMS with a provisional certificate must participate in a SLMS school-based residency program which will lead to standard certification.

Certification Requirement

Hold a New Jersey SLMS provisional certificate.

 Required Graduate Study

  1. Complete a coherent program at an accredited college or university that includes a minimum of nine semester-hour credits in educational theory, curriculum design and integration, teaching methodology, student/learning development, and behavior management. Holders of a CEAS with the SLMS endorsement are exempt from this requirement.
  2. Complete graduate-level coursework in the school library media topics as outlined above in the CEAS requirements which were not included in your library media master’s program. Holders of a CEAS with the SLMS endorsement are exempt from this requirement.

Residency Program

Complete a year-long SLMS school-based residency program in a school library media center.

Notes

  • All credits/degree(s) must appear on an accredited four-year college/university transcript.
  • The holder of a standard associate school library media specialist (ASLMS) certificate shall be eligible for the SLMS standard certificate upon completion of the 36 graduate credits noted above.
  • An individual who holds one of the following shall be eligible for the standard SLMS certificate:
    1. A permanent New Jersey school librarian certificate or an educational media specialist standard certificate; or
    2. A standard certificate with an ASLMS endorsement. The candidate also shall complete a graduate-degree program at an accredited college or university with specialization in school library media studies.
  • Individuals holding the New Jersey school librarian or educational media specialist endorsement may serve in any position requiring the SLMS endorsement.

To be eligible for the SLMS Emergency certificate, you will need to meet the following:

Degree Requirement

Hold a minimum of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.

Required Graduate Study

Complete a minimum of 12 graduate-level semester-hour credits in school library media.

Notes

All credits/degree(s) must appear on an accredited four-year college/university transcript.