Certificate in OER Librarianship Launches with 2021 Cohort

The Open Education Network (OEN) is pleased to welcome the Certificate in OER Librarianship 2021 cohort! This is the certificate’s third cohort, comprised of 64 librarians, who will be working to build sustainable, collaborative, and effective open education programs on their campuses.

The Certificate in OER Librarianship is an eight-month comprehensive professional development program that offers formal training, a community of peers, and expert mentors. Initially funded by a Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the Certificate in OER Librarianship began with 35 students in 2019 and has been growing its capacity ever since. This year, the OEN was pleased to offer financial help to all who applied for it. This included seven awards to librarians who identified as Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC), as well as nine additional financial assistance awards. 

The Certificate in OER Librarianship is facilitated by instructors who have led open education programs at OEN institutions. This year librarians Cheryl Cuillier, Will Cross, Mandi Goodsett, Jeanne Hoover, Elaine Thornton, and Lily Todorinova are returning, and two new instructors, Wayde Oshiro and Michael Whitchurch are joining the program. Together they will provide the cohort with formal training and mentorship as the participants create a culminating final project to put what they have learned into action. 

The certificate program is open to all; program fees are discounted for applicants associated with an OEN member institution. We invite librarians who are interested in participating in future cohorts to join our mailing list to receive updates about next year’s program.