Official Site of The State of New Jersey

1. What is information literacy?

Information literacy is a set of skills that enables an individual to recognize when information is needed and to locate, evaluate, and use effectively the needed information (N.J.S.A. 18A:7F-4.4).

2. What are the information literacy standards, and when will they be implemented?

Information literacy standards will be included in the New Jersey Student Learning Standards for Career Readiness, Life Literacies, and Key Skills (NJSLS-CLKS). The NJSLS-CLKS are currently being reviewed. Once the NJSLS-CLKS are adopted by the State Board of Education, it is anticipated that the information literacy standards will be implemented in September 2027.

3. Where will information literacy skills be taught?

As required by N.J.S.A. 18A:7F-4.4, each school district shall incorporate instruction on information literacy in an appropriate place in the curriculum in grades Kindergarten through 12. Therefore, all K–12 teachers and school library media specialists will be expected to teach these skills where they are required in curriculum. School library media specialists must be included in the development of curriculum concerning information literacy whenever possible.

4. Where can educators find support for the instruction of information literacy skills?

Practice briefers and other support documents are located on the New Jersey Department of Education’s Standards Transparency and Mastery Platform (STAMP) webpage. Additional resources for educators are available from the New Jersey State Library.

5. What education credentials are required for school library media specialist (SLMS) certification?

Requirements for all school library media specialist certificates are located on the Office of Recruitment, Preparation, and Certification’s website.

6. What are the requirements for the school library media specialist residency agreement?

District requirements for the school library media specialist residency agreement, as outlined in N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-14.14, are located here.

7. What is the status of the associate school library media specialist (ASLMS) certificate?

Effective September 1, 2027, the New Jersey Department of Education will no longer issue the associate school library media specialist (ASLMS) certificate. More information is available here.

8. Are Local Education Agencies (i.e., school districts) required to employ certified school library media specialists?

Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 6A:13-2.1, all school districts shall provide library-media services that are connected to classroom studies in each school building. Each school district shall provide these library-media services under the direction of a certified school library media specialist.

9. What are the standards for curation and development of school library materials and collections?

New Jersey’s Freedom to Read Act (N.J.S.A. 18A:34A-1 et seq.) requires Local Education Agencies (LEAs) to provide standards for curation of library materials. A model Library Materials Curation Policy is located on the New Jersey Department of Education’s Freedom to Read Act webpage. Questions about a specific school district’s policies should be directed to the district.

10. What policies govern requests for removal of materials from a school library?

New Jersey’s Freedom to Read Act (N.J.S.A. 18A:34A-1 et seq.) requires Local Education Agencies (LEAs) to adopt a policy establishing a procedure regarding requests for removal of library material within a school library. A model Library Materials Removal Policy is located on the New Jersey Department of Education’s Freedom to Read Act webpage. Questions about a specific school district’s policies should be directed to the district.