Online and in-person librarian courses for schools
Online and face-to-face librarian courses help schools turn the library into a genuine engine room for reading and learning. They sharpen librarians’ expertise in stock selection, digital tools, copyright and behaviour management, so the library is calm, welcoming and well used. Training builds confidence to work with teachers, plan lessons, support research projects and argue for space and budget. Courses also keep staff up to date with AI, online safety and new publishing, which students quietly expect. For schools, that means better use of resources, stronger information literacy, higher engagement with reading and a visible, credible professional running the library rather than a quiet room full of books.
At the same time, national policy is moving firmly in the same direction: the Department for Education has put reading for pleasure at the heart of its Plan for Change and English Hubs work, and has announced a National Year of Reading in 2026 with the National Literacy Trust in response to sharply falling enjoyment of reading among young people. Alongside this, the 2025 Curriculum and Assessment Review and forthcoming national curriculum reforms stress stronger literacy, knowledge-rich curricula and better preparation for life and work, which all depend on well-run libraries, so trained librarians and teachers with library expertise give school leaders concrete, evidence-based CPD to point to when inspections turn to reading, information literacy and curriculum intent.
- Reed’s librarian courses page lists a wide range of mostly online CPD-style programmes in library science and library assistant work, from short introductions to multi-course diplomas, many with CPD points and certificates suitable for school support staff and aspiring librarians.
- Reed’s Advanced librarian courses page filters for higher-level, often Level 5 or multi-module CPD diplomas in library and information work, aimed at experienced assistants or librarians who want more depth in management, systems and service design.
- OpenLearn’s An introduction to school librarianship is a free 24-hour badged course that helps new and experienced school librarians improve whole-school reading, information literacy and library planning, with CPD points and an Open University digital badge on completion.
- Open Study College’s Library and Information Studies QLS Level 3 is a distance-learning course that introduces information literacy, changing library roles, user needs and information-seeking behaviour, leading to a Level 3 Certificate of Achievement assessed by tutor-marked assignments.
- John Academy’s Diploma in Library and Information Science is an online programme covering library infrastructure, ethics, networking, digital and virtual libraries, finance and UK data legislation, aimed at those seeking a practical route into library or information roles.
- John Academy’s Library and Information Science Course offers a shorter overview of information science, information policy, data librarianship and digital libraries, suitable for staff wanting a broad introduction to managing both physical and digital collections.
- The Centre of Excellence Library Science Diploma Course is an online self-paced programme on library science, collection management, cataloguing, archiving and the use of digital technologies in different types of libraries, positioned as an accredited, modular CPD-style diploma.
- Coursera’s library courses search page aggregates university-led online courses on topics such as academic information seeking, copyright for educators and librarians, digital library setup and research data management, which can supplement UK school library CPD with more academic content.
- Udemy’s Librarian: Principles of Library Management course is a beginner-level programme on collection development, cataloguing, library automation, user services and preservation, useful for staff who need a structured introduction to day-to-day library operations.
- Udemy’s AI Literacy for Librarians and Educators gives librarians and teachers hands-on experience with generative AI tools, multimodal features and ethical issues, and is designed to help them explain, teach and critically evaluate AI use in education.
- CILIP’s accredited qualifications page outlines how CILIP endorses UK and international library, information and archive programmes so learners can choose courses covering essential professional skills, giving reassurance about quality and sector relevance.
- CILIP’s Short Course Accreditation page explains the scheme that quality-marks shorter and modular courses, including online and day courses, for a three-year period, so employers and practitioners can trust their relevance to contemporary library and information practice.
- Education.Gov’s Library, information and archive services assistant (level 3) apprenticeship training course is an 18-month programme at A-level equivalent that trains apprentices to support users, manage information resources, apply copyright and data protection, and develop digital and information literacy skills in library and archive settings.
- Book Aid International’s Training teachers and librarians page details programmes that build the skills of teachers, school librarians and community volunteers in low-resource settings, focusing on organising collections, running lending libraries and using books to promote reading for pleasure.
- The School Library Association’s training page sets out a comprehensive offer of live online and in-person courses, an annual conference, on-demand modules and member meet-ups, all aimed at developing the professional practice and leadership of staff working in UK school libraries.
