Want to change the world? Become a school librarian

Statistics reveal that many of us have been in the profession for twenty plus years and in Pennsylvania, between 20-30% of current librarians are eligible to retire in the next five years. With the number of librarians dwindling, a concerted effort must be made to recruit new people to the field.

In an effort to provide information helpful to those making a career decision, the developers of this website have several goals. These are to provide information necessary to obtain Pennsylvania certification, to provide information about library programs offered in the state, to provide information in the recruitment efforts, to provide resources that explain what a librarian does, and to provide support for new librarians. In addition, we have included statistics which may be useful when discussing the shortage with administrators or possible recruits.

I hope you find the information on this page useful. If you find an area lacking or have suggestions to add to the page, please contact webmaster with your suggestions. Please share this page with anyone you know who is giving consideration to joining the library profession. Today?s libraries are more than just books. They are vital, technology filled centers. It is our responsibility to spread the word about our rewarding profession.

PSLA President


For the PSLA Recruitment Presentation on Becoming a Librarian (2004), please click here.

Librarian Workforce Statistics

Total number of librarian positions in the education field
2000 149,000
2010 160,000
(7% increase in 10 years)
Total openings due to growth and net replacement 2000-2010 41,000

School Library Positions Nationwide - October 1993
Total full-time library positions - 51,014
Total vacant and temporarily filled in substitute (no suitable candidate
found) - 796
Total positions abolished (no suitable candidate found) - 147

Retirement Statistics Nationwide
Library field has the 7th highest percentage of workers aged 45 and
older (56.5% of librarians)
Median age of librarians - 47
Workers 45 or older leaving the profession from 1998-2008 - 46.4%
Retiree replacement needs 1998-2008 - 50%
58% of librarians are projected to reach retirement age of 65 between
2005 and 2019
68% will retire in the next 12 years or less

Retirement Statistics in PA
PA is currently in a state of severe shortage (same number of jobs as
candidates)
Between 20-30% will retire in next 5 years
Median age 46.1
Age breakdown of school librarians
Age 20-30 - 4%
Age 30-40 - 16%
Age 40-50 - 49%
Age 50-60 - 24%
Age 60+ - 7%
20% of PSLA membership will retire in the next 5 years (According to
informal PSLA membership poll)
Student to librarian ratio - 825:1

Current total librarian pool in PA
572 students enrolled in all library programs
61 graduates in May 2002

Universities which currently offer School Library Media Certification
Arcadia University 215-572-2900
Clarion University of PA/Main Campus 814-226-2000
Drexel University 215-895-2000
Kutztown University 610-683-4000
Mansfield University 570-662-4046
Marywood University 570-348-6211
St. Vincent College 724-805-2933
University of Pittsburgh/Main Campus 412-624-4200

Additional information about PA certification can be found at
www.statelibrary.state.pa.us/libraries

Statistics gathered from:
Monthly Labor Review 11/01 www.bls.gov/opub/mlr/2001/11/art4full.pdf
Monthly Labor Review 7/00 www.bls.gov/opub/mlr/2000/07/art2full.pdf

School Library Journal 6/02
National Center for Education Statistics: School Library Media Centers
1993-94 www.nces.ed.gov/pubs98/98282.pdf