School Library Ready: 3-Course Certificate for Library Workers

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Course Details

Register by April 16, 2026
3-Course Certification Series of 6 On-Demand Course Modules
24 Credit Hours
This 3-course certification track is designed for K-12 non-certified school library personnel, including paraprofessionals, staff, and teachers.
$489 (Save with group discounts!)

About This Series

A practical introduction to school librarianship for paraprofessionals and staff entering the field.

On-Demand Materials:
Register by April 16, 2026

About this certification series:

Are you new to school libraries or working in one without formal training? This three-course certification series is designed to give you a strong foundation in what school librarians do and why their work matters. You’ll explore the role school libraries play in supporting students and teachers, examine the values and ethics that guide the profession, and gain insight into the many responsibilities carried by library staff.

The series introduces core services that connect the library to the school’s instructional goals, including collection management, readers’ advisory, programming, events, and classroom support. By the end of the series, participants will have a clearer sense of purpose, a stronger understanding of expectations, and a practical foundation to guide daily work in a school library setting.

This series also includes guidance on professional growth for those interested in pursuing a long-term career in school librarianship. Participants will learn about pathways to earning an MLIS or librarian certification and how to connect with local and national school library associations.

This series is comprised of 3 courses:

School Libraries 101: Foundations You Might Not Know (but should!) About Libraries
School Libraries 201: Making Reading Contagious with Collections and Readers' Advisory
School Libraries 301: Creating Programs & Lessons Everyone Will Love

By registering for this series, you are registering for all three courses contained within the series.

DISCLAIMER: This series does not provide the training or qualifications required to manage a school library independently. It is designed to support paraprofessional staff in assisting certified school librarians in their instructional and leadership roles.

ENROLL NOW

This course is hosted on our new learning platform. At checkout, you’ll be prompted to log in or create an account. If this is your first time using the platform, you’ll need to register a new account. For more information, view our FAQ.

TRAINING A TEAM?

Group pricing starts at just 3 learners.

See pricing details below

Return to Full Course Catalog

AFTER YOU ATTEND THIS COURSE, YOU’LL BE ABLE TO:

  • Describe the roles and responsibilities of different school library personnel, and how each role contributes to the library’s overall mission.
  • Identify relevant professional standards and explain how these relate to the functions of the school library.
  • Discuss key values of librarianship in the context of your library and school.
  • Understand how library materials are commonly selected, organized, and maintained in a school library.
  • Explain and identify reader’s advisory strategies appropriate to your school community.
  • Identify program ideas that may meet the needs of your school community.
  • Describe how library resources support instruction in the school library and classroom.

WHO SHOULD TAKE THIS COURSE

This 3-course certification track is designed for K–12 non-certified school library personnel, including paraprofessionals, staff, and teachers.

COURSE FORMAT

This will be a series of three self-paced, asynchronous online courses.

EXPECTED TIME COMMITMENT

This series includes three courses. Each course contains two modules, and each module is designed to take approximately four hours to complete. The complete series is expected to take approximately 24 hours. You can move through the content at your own pace and on your own schedule.

ON-DEMAND ACCESS

You will have access to the full course for six months from the course start date.

SCHOOL LIBRARY CORE CERTIFICATION

For each individual course you complete in the series, you will earn eight professional development credit hours. A certificate will be emailed to you upon completion of each course.

Upon completion of all three courses, you will earn your School Library Core certification from School Library Journal.

SUPPORT

For support with online courses, please contact course-support@libraryjournal.com.

COURSE ADVISOR

Maura Madigan, NBCT
School Librarian

Maura Madigan Maura Madigan, NBCT is the author of Learning Centers for School Libraries, Project-Based Learning for Elementary Grades, and The School Librarian’s Guide to (Almost) Everything (ALA Store). She has been a school librarian for ten years and has worked in education for twenty-eight years as a teacher, college instructor, and educational advisor in the United States, South Korea, Japan, and the United Arab Emirates. Maura lives and works in Fairfax County, Virginia.


COURSE INSTRUCTORS

Carolyn Vibbert
School Librarian Division Specialist

Carolyn Vibbert Carolyn Vibbert is a K–12 Librarian Specialist and National Board Certified Teacher in Library Media. She holds an M.L.S. in Library Science and is a past president of the Virginia Association of School Librarians, an AASL National Conference Co-Chair for St. Louis, and a Senior Lecturer for Antioch University’s School Library Endorsement Program. She has presented professional learning sessions locally and internationally.


Dr. Karina Quilantán-Garza
Assistant Professor, Sam Houston State University

Karina Quilantán-Garza Dr. Karina Quilantán-Garza, known to students as Dr. Q, is a nationally recognized school librarian and Assistant Professor at Sam Houston State University. Her teaching and research focus on instructional design, professional development, leadership, and bridging theory to practice. She advocates for student creativity and empowerment and engages educators through her work and social media presence @cuethelibrarian.


Kaycie Hoffman Blaylock
Library and Resource Coordinator

Kaycie Hoffman Blaylock Kaycie Hoffman Blaylock is a library leader with more than 20 years of experience in education. She currently serves as Library and Resource Coordinator for Alexandria City Public Schools and holds dual master’s degrees in Educational Media & Librarianship and Curriculum & Instruction, as well as an administrator’s license.


Cicely Lewis
School Librarian and Author

Cicely Lewis Cicely Lewis is the 2020 SLJ School Librarian of the Year and founder of the Read Woke® movement. She is an author, educator, and literacy advocate whose work empowers students to read critically and engage with social justice through literature and technology. Learn more at www.readwoke.com.


Tom Bober
School Librarian

Tom Bober Tom Bober is a school librarian, Library Journal Mover & Shaker, former Teacher in Residence at the Library of Congress, and author of multiple books focused on nonfiction, primary sources, and news literacy.


Ashley J. Cooksey
Assistant Professor and Program Director, Arkansas Tech University

Ashley J. Cooksey Ashley J. Cooksey (she | her) is an Assistant Professor and advocate for school library media, student agency, and Universal Design for Learning. She is also a Change Leadership for Equity and Inclusion Ph.D. candidate and a registered yoga teacher.

PRICING & DISCOUNTS

Discounted rates are available for a limited time only.

Secure your tickets now to lock in the best price!

Rate Early Bird Standard
Deadline March 16, 2026 April 16, 2026
Ticket Price $369 $489

GROUP RATES

We offer discounts for groups of 3 or more.

For larger groups of 15 or more, we offer the option to apply group rates across multiple courses to receive significant discounts. For more information, select “Bulk Course Credits Packages” in the form below.

Request Discounted Group Pricing

For support with group purchases, please contact groupsales@libraryjournal.com.

Price: $369.00
Buy 3 or more for $332.10 each
Buy 5 or more for $313.65 each
Buy 11 or more for $295.20 each
Buy 21 or more for $276.75 each
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