Library Support Staff Certification program LSSC

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Library Support Staff Certification program (LSSC)

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

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LSS More information?

• Website
• http//www.ala-apa.org/lsscp
• 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)

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LSS Certification

• 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  A Report of Focus Groups (unpublished, 1991).

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Why is Certification Needed?

• 69 of all library staff are library support
  staff
• In a national survey
• 86 respondents supported national certification
• 76 supported national LSS standards
• 66 think certification would improve public
  service
• Survey conducted by the ALA Library Support
  Staff Interests Round Table (LSSIRT) in 2004

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Benefits of Certification

• Maryland Minnesota Surveys
• LSS Managers think library users are better
  served by staff with certification.
• LSS believe they understand library service
  better.
• LSS report more confidence serving users.
• Managers report that LSS contribute more to
  operations success.

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Why LSS Are Interested

• From November 2008 LSS survey
• Recognition for experience, education, and/or
  skills.
• Learn new things about the library field.
• Provide better service to library users.

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Federal Grant

• After years of discussion . . .
• Awarded IMLS Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian
  Program Grant
• July 2007 June 2010
• Dr. Karen Strege and Nancy Bolt project directors
• Managed by ALA-APA

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Advisory Committee

• Dorothy Morgan, Anne Marie Kehnast, LSSIRT
• David Dowell, ACRL
• Barbara Marson, ALCTS
• Diana Reese, ASCLA
• Robert Daugherty, LLAMA
• Carolyn Anthony, PLA
• Diane Shonrock, Jean Alexander RUSA
• Frank Novak, Peggy Seiden, Committee on Education
• Carol Johnson, Education Expert
• Rand Simmons, Western Council of State Libraries

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Grant Schedule

• Finalize competencies 2007-08
• Assessment program 2008-09
• Policies and procedures 2008-09
• Approval 2009
• Field tests Fall 2009

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Program Approved!

• July 13, 2009 by ALA Executive Board
• Also by
• 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 Interests Round Table

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• PROGRAM BEGINS !!
• January 2010

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LSSC Features

• Affordable
• Accessible
• Not a guarantee of raise or promotion
• A mix of required and elective competencies
• Establishes national, basic standards of LSS
  competency

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More LSSC Features

• Evaluates prior learning and new learning
• A valid assessment of competencies
• Self supporting
• Portable from state to state if approved by state

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Eligibility Requirements

• High school education or its equivalent
• One year of library experience, from any type of
  library

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Certification Requirements

• Must complete six competency sets out of 10
• Must complete three required competency sets
• 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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Policies and Procedures

• Candidates have four years to complete
  assessments
• Fee is 350, 325 for ALA members
• All submissions online
• Certification is for five years
• Renewal will be required but details TBD

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Competency Sets

• Required
• Foundations of Library Service
• Communication and Teamwork
• Technology
• Electives
• Access Services
• Cataloging and Classification
• Collection Management
• Readers Advisory Services
• Reference and Information Services
• Supervision and Management
• Youth Services

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Example 1Communication and Teamwork

• Library Support Staff will know
• Basic concepts of interpersonal relations,
  customer service and communication.
• The importance of upholding policies and
  decisions and when to make exceptions.
• Tools for resolving conflict.

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Communication (contd)

• Library Support Staff will be able to
• Treat others with respect, fairness and
  consistency.
• Seek, give, and accept constructive feedback from
  coworkers, supervisors and users.
• Resolve conflict in a positive and productive
  manner and judge when situations should be
  referred to a supervisor.
• Write clearly, logically, and concisely.

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Assessment Methodology

• Recognize prior learning and new learning
• Two methods
• approved courses
• portfolios

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Course Approval Process

• Any course provider can apply
• Application process at www.ala-apa.org/lsscp
• Applications will be reviewed in a timely manner
  
• Goal to have providers in every competency by
  January 2010
• Application fee
• 100 for the first two courses
• 50 for each additional course

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Portfolio Assessment Method

• All material submitted online
• Subscription to portfolio system with
  registration
• Portfolio manual and training being developed
• Train portfolio evaluators

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Portfolio Development Suggestions

• 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

• Communication Competency 6
• Resolve conflict in a positive and productive
  manner and judge when situations should be
  referred to a supervisor.
• Suggested Activities
• 6.1 Maintain a journal log of conflicts that
  arise in your work situation during a one-month
  period including interpersonal conflicts,
  communication problems, time-management
  conflicts, etc. Note whether the conflict was
  resolved by front-line staff or referred to a
  supervisor, and why. What recommendations would
  you make for conflict resolution process in your
  work situation?
• 6.2 Interview three supervisors in a library and
  summarize their views on how to handle conflict
  in a positive and productive manner. Under what
  circumstances would they prefer that the problem
  be referred up the chain of command? How do the
  methods suggested compare and contrast?

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Field Demonstrations Fall 2009

• Lincoln Trail Libraries System (IL)
• Louisiana State Library
• Texas Library Association
• Highline Community College (WA)
• Association of Library Collections and Technical
  Services (ALCTS) ALA Division

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Next Steps

• Field test all program aspects
• Recruit participants and course providers
• Develop support for candidates
• 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, Retired Library Support Staff

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LSS More information?

• Website
• http//www.ala-apa.org/lsscp
• 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)