I'm a library school student working on indie contract for a non-profit library. Can I write off my tuition?

Question

I'm paid to work for the non-profit foundation library through grants. I am getting this degree so that I can continue working for the foundation. If I can't write-off tuition I'm wondering if I can write off text books being that they directly relate to my work.

Answer 1

I attended library school while working in a public library several years ago.  The work & school were directly related: methods & ideas I acquired in class were applied to my job and (less importantly for the tax man) vice versa.

Still I was told by H&R Block that since the MLS was not required for my paraprofessional position, neither tuition nor class was deductible.

Obviously this is not an authoritative answer -- it's barely an answer at all -- and I'm only chiming in because nobody else has.  My experience is 10 years old, and tax law has changed a tad since then.  

I hope that you get a better answer-- I remember how every little bit helped back in grad school!