Finding Our Future School Librarian Leaders, Professors, and Researchers: Going Back to the Field to Get Them May Be Getting Harder

Abstract

Educators of school librarians cognizant of changing preparation and licensure requirements foresee rule recommendations regarding preparation and licensure. Fallout from the COVID pandemic may force states to rely on alternative licensure and/or credentials. Programs for library administrators, instructors of school librarianship, and researchers provide highly qualified leadership and a diverse work force at the PreK-12 and university level. University programs which educate school librarians rely on a pool of qualified teachers for recruitment. Advanced programs for district supervision, EdD, and PhD programs also depend on a field of highly qualified professionals to draw from. How will accrediting bodies be affected by alternative licensing programs? Who will oversee the quality of micro credentials? How can university programs motivate current school librarians to continue their education? Where is this pool of professionals to draw from? These practical questions remain unanswered even as state educational departments move toward allowing more pathways to licensure.