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Mentor Program for School Library Certification/Masters

To encourage a community of practice that provides an opportunity for SLIS Students to communicate with experienced practitioners and to observe and learn professional standards and behavior. It provides the practical application of theory studied in school library classes.

Every school library Certification and/or Masters student must spend time in a school library under the mentorship of a qualified school librarian. The amount of time spent depends on the Mentor's assessment of the particular needs of the student. A student with no background working in school libraries should expect to spend 120 clock hours or more in the mentor's library. A student already employed as his/her school's librarian of record may be able to spend less time in the mentor's library.

Regardless of the amount of time spent in the mentor's library, the mentor is responsible for signing off on each item of the official Proficiency Checklist. The mentor is stating the student is proficient in each objective and area of the list.

What are the requirements to be a mentor?

Unless assignment is through one of the district or regional contacts below, the following requirements must be met to be considered for approval as a mentor:

• 3+ years as a school library professional.

• Certification as a school librarian through an ALA or NCATE approved University school library program.
   

• Currently working as a school librarian in a school library.

There are several Districts and Regions in Texas where the student is placed with a mentor ONLY by going through one designated Contact person. That person determines which librarians in the area can best serve as mentors to students for the completion of the practical requirement of this certification/masters. The following areas are restricted to only one contact person for the District or Region*:

*Detailed contact information on the above plus additional mentors outside the above areas can be found by clicking here.

Do you want to be added to our approved mentor list?

Complete this form: Request to be a School Library Mentor.
 

When/how does the student apply for a mentor?

• Must be officially enrolled and in good standing in the School Library Certification/Masters program.

• Must get a background check from the school district unless they are already working in the same district as their mentor. Typically, the mentee can contact their mentor about who in the school district handles the background checks.

• Must complete an application.

• Only one mentor can sign off on the Proficiency Checklist. To change the mentor, a new application is required.

The UNT School of Library and Information Sciences Master's Degree is accredited by the 
American Library Association.

 www.unt.edu
School of Library and Information Sciences
P.O. Box 311068
Denton, Texas 76203-1068
This page last updated September 19, 2007 by Morgan O'Donnell
AA/EOE/ADA