library support staff certification (lssc) program

Sponsored by the American Library Association

and the ALA-Allied Professional Association,

In cooperation with the Western Council of State Libraries

Funded by IMLS

LSS – More information? Website;

http://www.ala-apa.org/lssc

Karen Strege kstrege@msn.com206 829 8821 206 407 9756 (cell)

Nancy Bolt nancybolt@earthlink.net 303 642 0338303 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 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 How Do They Get to A Desired Future; A Report of Focus Groups (unpublished, 1991).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 *

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 CertificationMaryland & Minnesota Surveys

Managers and LSS report 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 InterestedFrom November 2008 LSS survey:

Recognition for experience, education, and/or skills

Learn new things about the library field

Provide better service to library users

Contribute to improvement of the library

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Brief History of Project

After years of discussion . . .

Awarded IMLS Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program Grant, July 2007 – June 2010

Advisory Committee, staff appointed

Managed by ALA-APA

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Program Approved! July 13, 2009 by ALA Executive Board

Also by:

Public Library Association (PLA)Association of College & Research Libraries (ACRL)Association of Specialized & Cooperative Library

Agencies (ASCLA)Association of Library Collections & Technical Services

(ALCTS)Library Leadership & Management Association (LLAMA)Reference & User Services Association (RUSA)Library Support Staff Interests Round Table (LSSIRT)

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PROGRAM BEGANJanuary 25, 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: Evaluates prior learning and new learning

Portable from state to state

Reciprocal at state level (if approved by state)

A mix of required and elective competencies

A valid assessment of competencies

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Competency Sets Required Foundations of Library Service Communication and Teamwork Technology

Electives Access Services Adult Readers’ Advisory Services Cataloging and Classification Collection Management Reference and Information Services Supervision and Management 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: reference and information services; circulation, including interlibrary loan and

collection maintenance; current cataloging and classification

systems; acquisitions and collection development.

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Foundations (Cont’d)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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Assessment Methodology• Recognize prior learning and new learning

• Two methods:

• approved courses • portfolios

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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 SuggestionsCompetency 4: The responsibilities of and relationships among library

departments or functional areas.

Suggested Activities: 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.

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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Eligibility Requirements

High school education or its equivalent

One year of library experience, from any type of library

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Policies and ProceduresCandidates have four years to complete 6

competency sets

Fee is $350, $325 for ALA members

All submissions online

Certification is for four years

Renewal will be required but details TBD

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Certification Requirements Must complete six competency sets out of 10

Must complete the 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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Portfolio Assessment Method

All material submitted online

Subscription to portfolio system with registration

Portfolio manual and training being developed

Each portfolio evaluated by experts

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Library Managers can help! Encouragement to participate

Financial assistance for the registration fee

Financial assistance for course fees

Time off to attend workshops and CE activities

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Other Support IdeasAllow interaction with you and other staff

for assignments

Inform library board or higher ed administration

Recognize accomplishments

Give more responsibility as skills and knowledge increase

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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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LSS – More information? Website;

http://www.ala-apa.org/lssc

Karen Strege kstrege@msn.com206 829 8821 206 407 9756 (cell)

Nancy Bolt nancybolt@earthlink.net 303 642 0338303 905 9347 (cell)

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