Certificate in Open Education Librarianship



A Catalyst for Open Ed

The Certificate in Open Education Librarianship is a structured and supportive professional development opportunity preparing librarians like you to champion open education. Guided by our expert mentors, you’ll hone critical skills, gain insight, and transform your librarianship into a catalyst for open education, all while working within a collaborative cohort of your peers.


Speaking from Experience

Since 2019, more than 275 higher education librarians across the country have earned the Certificate in Open Education Librarianship, building proficiency and confidence to manage open educational resources, practices, and pedagogy. We believe their feedback confirms the value and effectiveness of our program. Here's what our most recent cohort had to say about their experience:
  • 100% rated the quality of the Certificate in Open Education Librarianship as good or excellent.
  • 98% would recommend this certificate program to others.
  • 89% have implemented some or all of the action plan they created in this program.
  • 94% are now more confident in their ability to grow open education at their institution.
“A fantastic opportunity. Allowed me to create a variety of resources I can share with peers and administrators as we start and grow our program.”

Isabelle Antes, 2023 Cohort
OER Librarian
Texas State University

“Certification gave me the tools I needed to understand, advance and advocate for OER. I can’t recommend this program enough!”

Di (Day) Zhang, 2022 Cohort
Instruction & OER Librarian
Renton Technical College

“The experience bolstered my own confidence by making me feel less alone in striving to move the OER needle on my campus.”

Emma Wood, 2022 Cohort
Scholarly Communication Librarian
University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth



The 2025 cohort application period is closed. Catch our recorded Information Session and sign up on the 2026 Cohort Interest List to receive timely information. 

2026 Cohort Interest List

Program Specifics

This eight-month certificate program includes online content, mentor-led cohort meetings, and program development support. Your final project is an action plan that will help you implement what you’ve learned on your campus. 


Applicant Eligibility

  • You are a librarian.
  • It’s within the scope of your professional role to grow open education initiatives on your campus.
  • You can speak to how your participation in this program may impact equity and inclusion on your campus.
  • If you are seeking financial assistance, you’re able to submit a letter of support written by a supervisor or colleague.
  • Membership in the Open Education Network is not required.


2025 Pricing

Cost to attendees includes registration and participation in the complete eight-month program. For a list of members, visit the OEN Members webpage.  For clarification on which rate applies to you, please see our Frequently Asked Questions.  


OEN Members Affiliated through an OEN system or consortia Non-Members Resource-limited Institutions Librarians who identify as BIPOC
$760 $1,050 $1,330 Financial assistance available. * Full scholarships available. **
*We strive to be able to keep our costs low but realize financial assistance may be necessary. We are able to offer some financial assistance. Applicants to the program requesting partial financial assistance will be asked to submit a letter of support from a supervisor outlining the need for financial assistance. **In an effort to address the shortage of librarians of color in open education, we are offering some full scholarships to librarians who are Black, Indigenous, or People of Color (BIPOC).

Schedule

February - May: Ten weeks of facilitated online instruction to help you create your customized action plan for moving open education forward on your campus. Commitment of 3-5 hours per week.
May - September: Monthly synchronous webinars and cohort calls to help you finalize your action plan. Commitment of 1-2 hours per week.


Certificate Instructors

In addition to learning from the members of your cohort, you’ll benefit from close engagement with one of our program instructors. These open education leaders have gained expertise through experience, professional development, and participation in various national initiatives. Your assigned instructor will assume a mentor role for you and your cohort members. Meet current instructors of the Certificate in Open Education Librarianship by visiting our Community Leaders page.


Library Copyright Institute

As an added bonus, the Library Copyright Institute (LCI) is offered for free to our certificate participants. LCI involves three or four synchronous summer sessions, co-facilitated by former Certificate instructor Will Cross. LCI seeks to develop a program of systematic, deep instruction in copyright law for librarians. 


Additional Information

The Certificate in Open Education Librarianship curriculum is openly available.

Learners completing the Certificate in Open Education Librarianship may qualify for advanced entry in Kwantlen Polytechnic University’s Professional Program in Open Education. The certificate’s culminating action plan satisfies the outcomes of the Field Project course. See KPU for more information.