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/lsscp • Karen Strege kstrege@msn.com 206 829 8821 206 407 9756 (cell) • Nancy Bolt nancybolt@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 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 How Do They Get to A Desired Future; A Report of Focus Groups (unpublished, 1991).

4. Why is Certification Needed? • 69% of all library staff are library support staff In a national survey* • 86% respondents supported national certification • 76% supported nationally recognized LSS standards • 66% think certification program would improve public service *Survey conducted by the ALA Library Support Staff Interests Round Table (LSSIRT) in 2004

5. Benefits of Certification Surveys from Maryland & Minnesota • 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 and success.

6. Why Should Support Staff Bother? 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.

7. Desired Outcome of the Project To improve public and academic library service by offering Library Support Staff a national voluntary certification program endorsed by the ALA, ALA-APA and participating units of ALA and accepted by the library community.

8. Background • 15+ years of talk • ALA COPE III focused on Library Support Staff, 2003 • ALA2010 strategic plan calls for a national support staff certification program • Library Support Staff Interests Round Table (LSSIRT) certification survey, 2004 • ALA Support Staff Certification Task Force formed in 2006

9. 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

10. Grant Schedule • Finalize competencies: 2007-08 • Assessment program: 2008-09 • Policies and procedures: 2008-09 • Approval, July 2009 • Field tests: Fall 2009

11. PROGRAM BEGINS !! January 1st, 2010

12. 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 • Education expert, Carol Johnson • Rand Simmons, Western Council of State Libraries

13. LSSCP Will: • Be individual-based and voluntary • Be portable from state to state, if approved by the state • Not guarantee a raise or promotion • Be a mix of required and elective competencies • Establish basic standards of LSS competency nationwide

14. LSSCP Will: • Be affordable for candidates • Be accessible • Evaluate prior learning and new learning • Use a valid assessment of competencies • Have reasonable administration requirements • Be cost-effective for ALA and ALA-APA

15. Requirements for Participation • High school education or its equivalent • One year of library experience, from any type of library • Desire to obtain or validate library support staff competencies

16. Policies and Procedures • Candidates have four years to complete assessments • Fee is tentatively set at $350 for four years • Renewal will be required • All submissions online

17. Competencies • Draft competencies written, 2007 • Surveyed interested LSS and managers for their opinion of the draft competencies – 2700 responded • Competency sets revised, June 2008

18. Required Foundations of Library Services Communication and Teamwork Technology Three Electives Access Services Cataloging and Classification Collection Management Reader’s Advisory Services Reference and Information Services Supervision and Management Youth Services Competency Sets

19. Example 1:Foundations of Library Services 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, ALA Code of Ethics, freedom of information, and privacy issues. 3. The roles of library support staff in libraries 4. The responsibilities of and the relationships among library departments or functional areas.

20. Foundations (cont’d) • Basic principles of: • Reference and information services • Circulation, including interlibrary loan and collection maintenance • Current cataloging and classification systems • Acquisitions and collection development

21. 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.

22. Foundations (cont’d) Library staff will be able to: 9. Practice quality customer service 10. Communicate and promote the library 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

23. Assessment Methodology • Assessment Expert, Maureen Lancaster • Recognize prior learning and new learning • Two methods: approved courses and portfolios

24. Course Approval Process • Any course provider can apply • Simple application & review process • Tentative application fee - $100 per course • Possible discount for multiple courses from same provider

25. Portfolio Assessment Method • All material must be submitted online • Subscription to commercial portfolio system will be part of registration • Portfolio manual and training being developed • Assessed by trained evaluators • Once a competency set is completed it need not be repeated

26. Portfolio Development Suggestions • Suggested activities for demonstrating each competency • Can choose a suggested activity or design own activities • Uploaded to portfolio when done

27. Portfolio Development Suggestions - Example • Foundations Competency: The value of cooperating with other libraries to enhance services • 7.1 Describe at least two cooperative arrangements between public or academic libraries. These arrangements can be statewide, national, or local networks or cooperatives. What are the arrangements’ benefits and liabilities for their members and for the library user? How does the library promote these services? • 7.2 A community member suggests that the library stop cooperating with other libraries because he believes that the library will save money by doing so. Write a short statement explaining why cooperative arrangements are important and cost efficient for library users and libraries.

28. 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

29. Program Approval Process • LSSCP Briefing Document includes: • Background and rationale • Competencies • Eligibility to participate • Assessment process • Business plan • Program must be approved by multiple units

30. Tentative Approval Schedule

31. Issues • How to make the program affordable yet sustainable by ALA • How to gain acceptance of the program • How to recruit a significant number of participants • How to best support candidates • Policies regarding renewal

32. 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

33. LSS – More information? • Website; http://www.ala-apa.org/lsscp • Karen Strege kstrege@msn.com 206 829 8821 206 407 9756 (cell) • Nancy Bolt nancybolt@earthlink.net 303 642 0338 303 905 9347 (cell)