RECOGNIZING VALUE, ENCOURAGING GROWTH

THE LIBRARY SUPPORT STAFF CERTIFICATION PROGRAM

Library Support Staff Certification (LSSC) Program Welcomes Candidate Applications

The American Library Association\x92s Allied Professional Association (ALA-APA) is accepting applications from potential Candidates interested in achieving the Library Support Staff Certification (LSSC). The LSSC Program is the first national, voluntary certification program for library support staff. Over forty Candidates have applied since the program opened January 25, 2010.

Why are library support staff across the country applying for LSSC candidacy?

\x95 Eva Fiffie is excited that the LSSC program \x93will give me the opportunity to strengthen my supervisory skills, become familiar with new aspects in the library field and allow me to provide better services to library patrons and my staff.\x94 \x95 Candidate Kathleen Laurente agrees: she is confident that the LSSC \x93will give credence to the knowledge that I [already] possess, and will also advance me to the forefront at my current position.\x94 \x95 \x93At this time, I wish to focus on having a family but also improve my career prospects and so, the LSSC Program is an excellent fit for me,\x94 shares candidate Shirley McCoy. \x93I believe it will give me the opportunity to demonstrate that I am eminently qualified to be a member of any library support staff.\x94 \x95 Molly Moore is excited to begin LSSC course work on Collection Management. \x93A better understanding of this department in our library would allow us to be better informed . . . and to provide better information when decisions are required.\x94

The LSSC Program is open to any library support staff person with a high-school diploma or its equivalent and at least one year of full-time experience in a library with the last five years. Applicants do not have to be a member of ALA. The application fee is $325 for ALA members and $350 for non-ALA members. Candidates who choose to take an approved course may have to pay a fee set by the course provider. There is no cost for submitting portfolios. Candidates have four years to complete the program.

The LSSC Program website, www.ala-apa.org/lssc, has complete information about the competency sets, approved courses, and how to develop a portfolio. The Program has adopted ten competencies sets; Candidates are required to show achievement of three sets -- Foundations of Library Service, Communication and Teamwork, and Technology \x96 and must choose three additional sets from Access Services, Adult Readers\x92 Advisory Services, Cataloging and Classification, Collection Management, Reference and Information Services, Supervision and Management, and Youth Services.

The LSSC offers Candidates two ways to demonstrate achievement. The first is through completing approved courses from library education providers across the county. These providers set the course\x92s fee, schedule, and requirements. Recently, the LSSC Program approved a Supervision and Management course from the State Library of Louisiana. Michael Golrick, one of the course\x92s instructors, was pleased by the \x93level of enthusiasm and interest\x94 demonstrated by the seventeen students who completed course. The LSSC Program encourages interested education providers to contact the program to find out more about course approval.
Candidates can also develop portfolios that demonstrate their knowledge, skills, and experience in a competency set. The LSSC Program offers help to Candidates who wish to develop and submit portfolios. Librarians with expertise in the competency set will evaluate portfolios and the Program is seeking more librarians who wish to do so. The application to become a Portfolio Evaluator is available on the LSSC website. Candidates may wish to complete courses in some competency sets and submit portfolios in others.

The LSSC Program was inspired by many years of discussion and by needs assessments with library support staff. In 2007, the American Library Association received a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program to fund the development of such a national certification program.

More information about the LSSC Program is available online at http://www.ala-apa.org/lssc. Direct questions to lssc@PROTECTED or call 312-280-2424. The LSSC Program is being managed by the American Library Association-Allied Professional Association (ALA-APA).

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