The American Library Association-Allied Professional Association (ALA-APA) is developing a certification program for support staff in libraries. The purpose is “to help the profession standardize expectations for LSS, help the large number of LSS master critical job competencies; provide educators with guidance for training curriculums; and help employers articulate job requirements.” The certification program is a competency-based program for library workers in positions that do not require a Master’s Degree in Library Science. The target audience is academic and public library staff. An advisory committee has been working for several years in developing the program and 9 competencies have been identified. Three competencies are required and those include Foundations of Library Service, Communications, Teamwork and Technology. There are six additional competencies and in order to be certified a person mush also have completed three of those six. Those competencies are: Access Services; Administration and Management; Adult Reader’s Advisory Services; Youth Services; Reference and Adult Services Technical Services.
Prior to releasing this new certification program ALA-APA will be Field-testing all of the competencies in the fall of 2009 and spring of 2010. Lincoln Trail Libraries System will be one of the agencies field-testing the program. We will be seeking 10 people to participate in testing one of the competencies. The field test will be comprehensive and include:
• Application process
• Eligibility requirements
• Competencies and assess syllabi
• Course approval process
• Portfolio completion process
• Portfolio evaluation process
• LSSCP (Library Support Staff Certification Program) Achievement Record
• Marketing methods
• Candidate support strategies.
LTLS consulting team is looking forward to participating in this test as there are many library positions in our area that currently do not require an MLS. This includes staff working in larger libraries or directors of smaller public libraries. Education is important and the LSSC Program has many opportunities for libraries in East Central Illinois.
For more information on this exciting project go to http://www.ala-apa.org/lsscp/index.html
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