North Dakota Administrative Code 67-11-04 outlines the Library Media Credential. For the purposes of accreditation, a person employed as a librarian must have their Library Media Credential. Coursework required for all library media credentials and the plan of study option must be taken from a state-approved library media program.
There are several different types of library media credential.
Plan of Study
a. Issued to an individual licensed to teach or approved to teach by the North Dakota education standards and practices board;
b. Issued to an individual who is employed as a librarian in a school and who does not meet the qualifications for an LM01, LM02, or LM03 credential;
c. Issued to an individual who is enrolled in a state-approved course of study in school library preparation and has obtained a letter from a supervisor recommending the individual for a school library plan of study credential; and
d. Issued to an individual who submits a written plan of study for approval to become a credentialed librarian and who annually submits college transcripts showing a minimum of six semester hours of undergraduate or graduate credits in library media until the licensed teacher qualifies for the required credential.
Librarian Credential (LM03)
a. Issued to coincide with the period for which the individual is licensed to teach or approved to teach by the North Dakota education standards and practices board; however, an individual holding a lifetime educator's professional license must renew the credential every five years;
b. Issued to an individual who has completed a minimum of fifteen semester hours of undergraduate or graduate credits in library media, of which at least one course must come from a subdivision of each of subsections 1 through 5 of section 67-11-04-05.
Library Media Specialist Credential (LM02)
a. Issued to coincide with the period for which the individual is licensed to teach or approved to teach by the North Dakota education standards and practices board; however, an individual holding a lifetime educator's professional license must renew the credential every five years; and
b. Issued to an individual who has completed a minimum of twenty-four semester hours of undergraduate or graduate credits in library media, of which at least one course must come from a subdivision of each of subsections 1 through 5 of section 67-11-04-05.
Library Media Director Credential (LM01)
a. Issued to coincide with the period for which the individual is licensed to teach or approved to teach by the North Dakota education standards and practices board; however, an individual holding a lifetime educator's professional license must renew the credential every five years;
b. Issued to an individual who:
(1) Holds a master's degree in library media and information science; or
(2) Holds a master's degree certifiable by the North Dakota education standards and practices board and meet all requirements of subsection 3 of this section.
If a credential issued under this chapter will expire within twelve months of issuance because the educator's professional license will expire within twelve months of the issuance of the credential, the credential will be issued for a period coinciding with the period of licensure of the succeeding educator's professional license.
The standards for library media credentials are:
1. The learner and learning, which includes:
a. Learner development;
b. Learner diversity;
c. Learning differences; and
d. Learning environments.
2. Planning for instruction, which includes:
a. Instructional strategies;
b. Integrating ethical use of information into instructional practice; and
c. Assessment.
3. Knowledge of application and content, which includes:
a. Reading engagement;
b. Information literacy; and
c. Technology-enabled learning.
4. Organization and access, which includes:
a. Access;
b. Information resources; and
c. Evidence-based decision making.
5. Leadership, advocacy, and professional responsibility, which includes:
a. Professional learning;
b. Leadership and collaboration;
c. Advocacy; and
d. Ethical practice.
67-11-04-06. Application process.
An applicant must submit the following:
1. A completed online application; and
2. A copy of college transcripts showing coursework for the desired credential.
67-11-04-07. Renewal requirements.
All library media credentials are renewed by submitting the following:
1. A completed online application; and
2. A copy of college transcripts showing completion of two semester hours of graduate-level
continuing education credit in library media and information science, computer science,
cybersecurity, or other related content.
If an application for issuance or renewal of any credential under this chapter is denied, the applicant may request a reconsideration of the decision. A request for reconsideration must be in writing and must be received by the superintendent of public instruction within three weeks of mailing of the denial. Late requests will not be considered.
The reconsideration request must state the following:
1. The facts, law, or rule the applicant believes was erroneously interpreted or applied; and
2. The applicant's arguments on how the facts, law, or rule should have been applied, giving specific reasons and thorough analysis.
The superintendent of public instruction shall issue a final written response on the reconsideration request within three weeks after receiving a reconsideration request.
Many of these resources and programs are funded under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act from the Institute of Museum and Library Services.