Transcript A National Certification Program for Library Support Staff

Library Support Staff Certification
(LSSC) Program
Sponsored by the
American Library Association,
the ALA-Allied Professional
Association,
and the Western Council of State
Libraries
Funded by IMLS
LSS – More information?
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Website;
http://www.ala-apa.org/lsscp
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Karen Strege [email protected]
206 829 8821
206 407 9756 (cell)
Nancy Bolt
[email protected]
303 642 0338
303 905 9347 (cell)
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LSS Certificate
“I want recognition that my job is
important, that my work is valued, that
I am valued as a human being. This is
more important than money. I want to
be trusted that I will do what I’m paid
for. I need pride in myself and my job.”
Suzanne Mahmoodi and Kathleen Weibel, Paraprofessionals:
What Are They Doing? What Are the Trends? How Do They Get
to A Desired Future; A Report of Focus Groups (unpublished,
1991).
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Why is Certification Needed?
69% of all library staff are library support staff
In a national survey LSS said they *
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supported national certification (87%)
supported national LSS standards (76%)
believe certification would improve public service
(66%)
*Survey conducted by the ALA Library Support Staff Interests Round Table (LSSIRT) in 2004
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Benefits of Certification
Maryland & Minnesota Surveys
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Managers and LSS report library users are better served by staff
with certification.
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LSS believe they understand library service better.
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LSS report more confidence serving users.
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Managers report that LSS contribute more to operations &
success.
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Why LSS Are Interested
From November 2008 LSS survey:
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Recognition for experience, education, and/or skills
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Learn new things about the library field
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Provide better service to library users
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Contribute to improvement of the library
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Brief History of Project
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After years of discussion . . .
Awarded IMLS Laura Bush 21st Century
Librarian Program Grant, July 2007 – June
2010
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Advisory Committee, staff appointed
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Managed by ALA-APA
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Program Approved!
July 13, 2009 by ALA Executive Board
Also by:
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Public Library Association
Assn. of College and Research Libraries
Assn. of Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies
Assn. of Library Collections and Technical Services
Library Leadership & Management Assn.
Reference & User Services Assn.
Library Support Staff Interest Round Table
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PROGRAM BEGINS !!
January 2010
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LSSC Features:
 Affordable and Accessible
 Not a guarantee of raise or promotion
 Establishes national, basic standards of
LSS competency
 Self Supporting
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More LSSC Features:
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Evaluates prior learning and new learning
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Portable from state to state
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Reciprocal at state level (if approved by state)
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A mix of required and elective competencies
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A valid assessment of competencies
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Competency Sets
Required
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Foundations of Library Service
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Communication and Teamwork
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Technology
Electives
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Access Services
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Cataloging and Classification
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Collection Management
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Reader’s Advisory Services
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Reference and Information Services
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Supervision and Management
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Youth Services
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Example 1:
Foundations of Library Service
Library Support Staff will know:
1. The mission and roles of a library in its community
and the mission of libraries in general.
2. The ethics and values of the profession, including
an understanding of the Library Bill of Rights, the
ALA Code of Ethics, freedom of information,
confidentiality of library records and privacy issues.
3. The roles of Library Support Staff and other staff in
libraries.
4. The responsibilities of and the relationships among
library departments or functional areas.
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Foundations (cont’d)
5. Basic principles of:
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reference and information services;
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circulation, including interlibrary loan
and collection maintenance;
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current cataloging and classification
systems;
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acquisitions and collection
development.
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6. How libraries are governed and funded and
the place of libraries within organizations or
government structures.
7. The value of cooperating with other libraries
to enhance services.
8. The value of participating in professional
development opportunities, including
certification, continuing education, staff
development and professional associations.
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Foundations (Cont’d)
Library Support Staff will be able to:
9. Practice quality customer service.
10. Communicate and promote the
library’s values and services to staff,
volunteers, users and the community.
11. Recognize and respond to diversity in user
needs and preferences for resources and
services.
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Eligibility Requirements
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High school education or its equivalent
One year of library experience, from any type of
library
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Certification Requirements
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Must complete six competency sets out of 10
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Must complete the three required competency sets
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Candidate achieves a competency set by completing
an approved course or submitting a portfolio
Once a set is achieved, candidate need not complete
it again
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Assessment Methodology
•
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Recognize prior learning and new learning
Two methods:
• approved courses
• portfolios
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Course Approval Process
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Any course provider can apply
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Application process at www.ala-apa.org/lsscp
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Applications will be reviewed in a timely manner
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Goal to have providers in every competency by January 2010
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Application fee
 $100 for the first two courses
 $50 for each additional course
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Portfolio Assessment Method
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All material submitted online
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Subscription to portfolio system with
registration
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Portfolio manual and training being developed
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Train portfolio evaluators
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Portfolio Development
Suggestions
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Suggested activities for demonstrating each
competency
Can choose a suggested activity or design
own activities
Uploaded to portfolio when done
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Portfolio Development
Suggestions
Competency 4: The responsibilities of and relationships among library
departments or functional areas.
Suggested Activities:
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4.1 Interview the manager in a library with many departments to find out how
these departments interact to produce, distribute and help library users use
information. Draw an organization chart of this library and discuss any changes
that you would make in this organization.
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4.2 A teenager asks for help with a homework assignment on the civil rights
movement and the election of Barack Obama as president. Describe how every
department in the library contributes to helping this user. Describe the impact on
the student and library staff if any of the library departments do not do their
work.
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Policies and Procedures
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Candidates have four years to complete assessments
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Fee is $350, $325 for ALA members
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All submissions online
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Certification is for four years
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Renewal will be required but details TBD
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Potential Assistance from
Library Administration
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Encouragement to participate
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Financial assistance for the registration fee
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Financial assistance for course fees
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Time off to attend workshops and CE
activities
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Other Support Ideas
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Allow interaction with you and other staff for
assignments
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Inform library board or higher ed
administration
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Recognize accomplishments
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Give more responsibility as skills and
knowledge increase
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Next Steps
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Field test all program aspects
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Recruit participants and course providers
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Develop support for candidates
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Finalize all policies and procedures
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WHY LSS Certification?
National Certification is going to make a bigger
difference than many folks realize. This
portable standard of excellence will obviously
benefit Support Staff. We are valuable assets
to well-functioning libraries. This needs to be
established beyond regional purviews.
Linda Pierro, Library Support Staff
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THE WEBSITE
www.ala-apa.org/lsscp
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LSS – More information?

Website;
http://www.ala-apa.org/lsscp


Karen Strege [email protected]
206 829 8821
206 407 9756 (cell)
Nancy Bolt
[email protected]
303 642 0338
303 905 9347 (cell)
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