General Information
Visit the following links for more information about the process of Public Librarian Certification:
Public Librarian Certification Frequently Asked Questions
Certification levels for public libraries are based on the population of the library's direct service area. See the chart below for the population levels.
| Certification | Local Library (Non–system Member): Direct Service Area Population | Member of Library System: Direct Service Area Population |
|---|---|---|
| Library Assistant | 0 – 9,999 | 0 – 14,999 |
| Provisional Librarian | 10,000-19,999 | 15,000-19.999 |
| Professional Librarian | 20,000 and more | 20,000 and more |
| Certification | Minimum educational requirements |
|---|---|
Library Assistant | 2 academic years of college education including 9 credits in library science from an accredited institution OR 2 academic years of college education with no credits in library science and 9 college credits in library science from an accredited institution |
Provisional Librarian | Bachelor's degree including 12 credits in library science from a 4-year accredited college or university OR Bachelor's degree with no credits in library science from a 4- year accredited college or university and 12 college credits in library science |
Professional Librarian | Bachelor's degree from a 4-year accredited college or university and a masters in library science from a school accredited by the American Library Association OR Bachelor's degree from a 4-year accredited college or university and a masters in library science from a Pennsylvania school that has been approved by the appropriate Commonwealth agency. Currently the following Pennsylvania schools have been approved by the Commonwealth for a masters in library science:
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Contact RA-EDCERTQUESTIONS@pa.gov if you have questions about the application procedure or the TIMS website in general.
Contact RA-StateAid@pa.gov for questions about standards and regulations.
Individuals should apply when a certification level is achieved. If an individual has all of the required credentials to reach any certification level, they should apply for that certification whether or not it is needed for their job.
Transcripts must be sealed/unopened. Official E-Transcripts directly from the transcript provider will also be accepted.
You can apply at any time.
Certification is a free service offered by the Department of Education. Please be aware that there may be costs involved with acquiring your transcripts, etc.
No, they are separate certifications.
Yes, it can be used to meet the supplemental library science credits for Library Assistant and Provisional certifications. Northampton Community College library technical assistant program
- Submit an application in TIMS for a New Credential and submit the following with the TIMS application coversheet once the application has been fully submitted in TIMS. A PPID will be issued at this time or the current PPID of the candidate will be available to the applicant.
- If the individual does have at least a photocopy of the certificate, but not the original, then the individual may simply submit a photocopy (not the original) of this Public Librarian certificate with the TIMS application coversheet.
- If the individual does not have at least a photocopy of the original certificate, then the individual must:
- Submit all original transcripts in college-sealed, unopened envelopes.
- May submit and note the year and name under which the original certificate was issued.
- If this information is NOT able to be verified, then a new certificate will be issued with the effective date of the new application submission.
- If the information IS able to be verified, then a certificate will be issued to the individual and will be backdated to the date of the original certificate.