A Library Support Staff Certification Program LSSCP

1
A Library Support Staff Certification Program
(LSSCP)

• Sponsored by the
• American Library Association,
• the ALA-Allied Professional Association,
• and the Western Council of State Libraries

2
LSS More information?

• Website
• http//www.ala-apa.org/certification/supportstaff
  .html
• Karen Strege kstrege_at_msn.com
• 206 829 8821
• 206 407 9756 (cell)
• Nancy Bolt nancybolt_at_earthlink.net
• 303 642 0338
• 303 905 9347 (cell)

3
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 Im 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  A Report of Focus Groups (unpublished, 1991).

4
Why Is this Needed?

• 69 of all library staff are support staff
  staff without an MLS
• 86 of LSS said they would like a national
  certification program
• 76 supported nationally recognized professional
  standards for LSS
• 66 felt a national certification program would
  improve service to the public

5
Data On Benefits

• Surveys in Maryland and Minnesota showed
• High percentage of LSS and Library Managers feel
  library users are better served
• LSS believe they understand library service
  better
• High percentage of LSS feel they are more
  confident in serving the user
• Library managers feel LSS contribute more to the
  library operation and success

6
Why Bother?

• Love of learning
• Proof of accomplishment
• Move to new job
• Provides a goal

7
Background

• 15 years of talk no action
• COPE III, 2003 focused on Library Support Staff
• ALA2010 strategic plan calls for a national
  support staff certification program
• ALA Support Staff Certification Task Force formed
  in 2006

8
Awarded a Federal Grant

• IMLS Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program
  Grant
• July 1, 2007 June 30, 2010
• Dr. Karen Strege and Nancy Bolt named project
  directors

9
Grant Schedule

• Finalize competencies 2007-08
• Develop an assessment program 2008-09
• Develop policies and procedures 2008-09
• Field test the program in five organization types
  2009-10

10
Advisory Committee Representatives

• Co-Directors, Nancy Bolt
• ACRL
• ALCTS
• ASCLA
• LAMA
• PLA
• RUSA

• Karen Strege
• LSSIRT
• Committee on Education
• Western Council of State Libraries
• ALA-APA staff

11
Desired Outcome of the Project

• To improve public and academic library service by
  offering to Library Support Staff a national
  voluntary certification program endorsed by the
  ALA, ALA-APA and participating units of ALA.

12
LSS Certification Will Be

• Individually based and voluntary
• Portable from state to state, if approved by the
  state
• No guarantee of any salary raise or promotion
  benefits all such decisions are made by the
  local library
• A mix of required and elective competencies
• Establish a basic standard of LSS competency
  nationwide

13
LSSCP Will

• Be affordable for candidates and ALA
• Be accessible
• Evaluate prior learning as well as new learning
• Use a valid assessment of competencies
• Have reasonable administration requirements

14
Target Audience

• Anyone who
• Has a high school education or high school
  equivalency
• Has one year of library experience
• From any type of library
• And who wishes to obtain or validate library
  support staff competencies
• Who wants to work in a public or academic library

15
Competencies 2007/2008

• Draft competencies written
• Surveyed interested library support staff
  stakeholders for their opinion of the draft
  competencies
• Final set of competencies completed, June 2008

16
Preliminary Areas of Competencies

• Required
• Foundations of Library Services
• Communication and Teamwork
• Technology

• 3 electives
• Access Services
• Readers Advisory Services
• Reference and Information Services
• Supervision and Management
• Technical Services
• Youth Services

17
Example 1Foundations of Library Services

• Library Support Staff will know
• The mission and roles of a library in its
  community and the mission of libraries in
  general.
• The ethics and values of the profession,
  including an understanding of the Library Bill of
  Rights, ALA Code of Ethics, freedom of
  information, and privacy issues.
• The roles of library support staff in libraries
• The responsibilities of and the relationships
  among library departments or functional areas.

18
Foundations (contd)

• Basic principles of
• Reference and information services
• Circulation, including interlibrary loan and
  collection maintenance
• Current cataloging and classification systems
• Acquisitions and collection development

19
Foundations (contd)

• How libraries are governed and funded and the
  place of libraries within organizations or
  government structures.
• The value of cooperating with other libraries to
  enhance services
• The value of participating in professional
  development opportunities, including
  certification, continuing education, staff
  development, and professional associations.

20
Foundations (Contd)

• Library staff will be able to
• Practice quality customer service
• Communicate and promote the library values and
  services to staff, volunteers, users, and the
  community
• Recognize and respond to diversity in user needs
  and preferences for resources and services

21
Example 2Technology Competencies

• Library Support Staff will know
• General trends and developments of appropriate
  technology in all library functions and services
  whether offered in the library or through remote
  access.
• Technologys role in creating and delivering
  library resources, functions, and services.
• The role and responsibilities of libraries for
  introducing relevant applications of technology
  to the public, including assistive technology.

22
Technology Competencies (Contd)

• Basic computer operations needed to access
  library applications software and productivity
  tools.
• Basic networking technologies and protocols.
• Basic data security principles and best practices
  to ensure the integrity of data and the
  confidentiality of user activities.
• Concepts and issues concerning the appropriate
  use of technology by different user groups.

23
Technology Competencies (Contd)

• Library Support Staff will be able to
• Adapt to changes in technology
• Transfer information gained from training into
  the work place.
• Assist and train users to operate public
  equipment, connect to the internet, utilize
  library software applications and access library
  services from remote locations
• Use information discovery tools including the
  librarys catalog, core library databases and
  internet search engines.

24
Technology Competencies (contd)

• Library Support Staff will be able to
• Perform basic troubleshooting of technical
  problems and resolve or appropriately refer those
  problems.
• Access and use basic assistive technologies,
  where appropriate, to ensure that all users have
  equitable access to technology.

25
Assessment 2008/2009

• Working with Assessment Expert, Maureen Lancaster
• Want to recognize prior learning
• Need to recognize new learning
• Probably will include a combination of
• Approved courses
• Portfolios
• Electronic portfolio
• Decision to be made in October

26
Policies and Procedures 2008/2009

• Administration
• How much time will be allowed for completion
• 4 years??
• Application procedures, including forms, etc.
• Course approval process
• Fees How should you pay?
• Marketing
• Program evaluation
• Renewal/recertification
• Other issues

27
Field Demonstrations 2009/2010

• North Suburban Library System, IL
• Arizona State Library Archives
• Texas Library Association
• Highline Community College, WA
• ALCTS

28
Approval Process

• LSSCP Full program is prepared to include
• Background and rationale
• Competencies
• Eligibility to participate
• Assessment process
• Business plan
• Must be reviewed, endorsed, or approved by
  multiple bodies

29
Tentative Approval Process
30
Issues

• How to make the program affordable yet
  sustainable by ALA
• How to assess new learning and prior learning
  determine if it meets competencies
• How to gain acceptance of the program across the
  country
• How to recruit a significant number of
  participants
• How to support their learning

31
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