Nebraska Library Science Degrees

School	Program	More Info
Syracuse University	Online MS in Library and Information Science ALA-accredited. Multiple professional pathways or specializations available. No GRE required to apply. Complete in as little as 18 months.	Website
University of Denver	Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) ALA-Accredited, No GRE Required. Complete in as few as 21 months.	Website
St. John's University	Online M.S. in Library and Information Science ALA Accredited, 24 months to complete. 4 specializations and 2 certificate options.	Website

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There are two schools with ALA-accredited library science programs in Nebraska. They are the University of Nebraska at Kearney and the University of Nebraska at Omaha. The University of Nebraska at Kearney offers an on-campus Master's School Librarian PK-12 degree. The University of Nebraska at Omaha provides a Master's School Librarian degree on-campus.

Are There Online Library Science Degrees in Nebraska?

Yes, both the University of Nebraska in Omaha and Kearney provide online library science degree programs for their students. The Master's degrees in education at the Kearney campus are exclusively available online. Both programs satisfy school librarianship requirements in Nebraska, but students should confirm that it matches criteria in their state.

Nebraska Library Science Degrees

As stated, two institutions in the state of Nebraska have accredited graduate programs in library science. Both programs are school librarianship programs recognized by the American Library Association (ALA) and American Association of School Librarians (AASL) through CAEP. Students add an endorsement to their Master's degree in education.

Omaha is the largest city in Nebraska with around 480,000 residents, offering many options in the librarian field. Lincoln is home to the University of Omaha's main campus and has a population of over 293,000 people. Both locations are approximately 60 miles apart with Omaha being north and east toward the Iowa border.

Having accreditation from the AASL means that the university may not have a direct Master's degree in library science, but provides an alternative to advanced librarian studies. The program features a designated mission statement and proper resources for students to succeed. Graduates will have a strong assortment of teaching skills and curriculum development that blend with innovative technology.

To gain acceptance into a Master's degree program, students need to complete a Bachelor's degree with proper academic merit. It is often recommended that this degree comes from an accredited institution and in a similar education or library-focused discipline. Other materials that may be needed in the application process include a personal statement and letters of recommendation.

List of the best campus-based and online CAEP, AASL, or ALA-Accredited library science degree programs in Nebraska

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University of Nebraska-Omaha's School Library Endorsement

The College of Education, Health, and Human Services offers multiple Master's degrees in education with a School Library endorsement option. The concentration blends together teaching, library science, and technology topics. Disciplines are available in literacy, and elementary or secondary education.

All three Master's degrees require 36 credit hours to complete. Many courses are similar in these disciplines. For the program in Secondary Education, the curriculum separates coursework into theory, diversity, research, and assessment. Assessment at the secondary level, collection management, and data-driven decision making are all topics explored under the literacy discipline as well.

University of Nebraska-Kearney's Master of Science in Education

36 total credit hours are needed for the Master's degree in education with various concentrations in instructional technology. One of those is specializing as a School Librarian, where the curriculum focuses teaching skills and utilizing technology for professionals. An alternative pathway is adding the online endorsement toward the Master of Arts in curriculum and instruction.

Coursework within the School Librarian endorsement includes ethical and legal matters, administration tasks, and collection development. Three credit hours are dedicated to a customize elective option approved by the academic advisor. Students complete their education with related field experience.

Career Options in Library Media

As of May 2020, the state of Nebraska recognizes around 1,000 workers as librarians and media collections specialists through the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is on par with some neighboring states, but lower than states such as Colorado, Kansas, and Iowa. Roughly one-third of the employment is found in the Omaha-Council Bluffs metropolitan area.

The University of Nebraska is an established institution with a number of different locations across the eastern portion of the state. There are many positions to consider at the institution, along with public libraries and school systems in Omaha. With a Master’s degree, this opens the door to more advanced jobs, such as collection development and digital archiving.

Library Certification in Nebraska

Individuals interested in working within the public library sector will apply for a certification at various education levels. This includes graduating with a high school diploma or higher education, whether it’s an undergraduate or graduate degree. There are alternative certification levels for those that have a specific education in library science.

School librarianship licensure is distributed by the Nebraska Department of Education. This requires at least a teaching license and a recommendation for advanced library science education. Holding proper education prepares individuals for the Praxis II Library Media Content exam, which requires a passing score of 153 or higher.

Nebraska Library Association

Partnered with the ALA, the Nebraska Library Association (NLA) looks to represent library workers in legislative advocacy and improve services that are being offered in various systems. They provide a quarterly publication, Nebraska Libraries, and sponsor a children’s book award annually. The NLA was established back in 1895 and is currently headquartered in Lincoln.

The annual conference features skill workshops and professionals speaking at the event for discussion on latest innovations and current issues in the field. Divided sections are separated by working group, such as those working in a public library and workers at a university. Round table discussions may feature topics such as intellectual freedom and technical services offered at a library.

Salary Estimates in Nebraska

The annual mean wage for the state of Nebraska is estimated at $53,510 according to the BLS. As this number takes in the large rural area of the state into consideration, average salaries tend to be higher in the metropolitan areas. For example, Omaha salaries are estimated at $62,780 annually, and this jumps to over $64,200 in the Lincoln area.

Some of the top paying opportunities in librarianship are found in Omaha. The top 10 percent of earners make an estimated $85,000 annually. The University of Nebraska in Omaha and Creighton University may offer high-paying jobs in management, cataloging, and digitization.

Careers, Top Employers, Salary Information

Recent job postings for Library Science degree holders in Nebraska

• Library Services & Information Literacy Coordinator for Hastings College – no salary listed
• Library Page for the City of Kearney – salary $9 per hour
• Area Assistant Director of the Learning Commons (Libraries) for Mid-Plains Community College – no salary listed
• Elementary Library/Media Specialist for Wahool Public Schools – no salary listed
• Library Para Educator for Scottsbluff Public Schools – no salary listed
• Teaching and Learning Consultant, Library Services for Omaha Public Schools – salary schedule as outlined in administrator guidelines
• Library Media Teacher (District Pool) – for Omaha Public Schools – salary schedule as outlined in applicable negotiation agreement