Education

Ready to pursue your degree? Library school programs usually take 3 to 4 semesters to complete. This often includes a period of time spent in an internship - a chance to get some experience working in a library.

Wondering which school to go to? Make sure you're looking at ALA (American Library Association) accredited schools. ALA's Guidelines for Choosing a Master's Program can help you decide what to look for in a school.

When picking a school consider:

• Location
  Are you limited geographically? are you interested in an on-campus education, distance learning or combination of both?
• Fields of Study
  Do you want to specialize in a particular area? The Library Journal Directory of Library Schools highlights the major programs at each school. (Explore the Careers section to find out more about different types of library jobs.)
• Costs
  Do you need financial assistance? Look at each schools requirements. Also check out our listing of scholarship sources.
• Requirements
  Make sure you consider admission and testing requirements. The GRE (Graduate Record Exam) may be required.

More to Explore

• Library Schools
• Online & Distance Learning
• Scholarships & Funding
• Gaining Experience
• The Student Experience: Library School Student Blogs

Discussion Forum

• LISjobs Message Boards
  Discussion forums devoted to library careers, job hunting and professsional development. Make connections, share experiences and get advice from librarians, LIS students, library workers, and information professionals.

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