Sponsored by the American Library Association

and the ALA-Allied Professional Association

Funded by IMLS

Introduction to the

Library Support Staff Certification Program

Lorelle Swader Karen Strege Nancy BoltIan Lashbrook

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

lssc@ala.org

Today’s Agenda Who are Library Support Staff (LSS)?

Why does LSSC matter?

Enrollment and requirements

Assessment of work

New projects on the horizon

Library Support Staff Certification Program (LSSC)A New Career Path for LSS

A national, voluntary ALA- sponsored, certification program for library support staff.

Issues• Numbers and Titles

• Value to the Library

• Changing Roles

• Respect

• Education, Training and Support

• Self-motivation!

How Many LSS?163,913 staff members in academic and public libraries

69% are LSS

What’s in a Name? Paraprofessional

Para-ProLibrary assistant Circulation assistant

Library AideLibrary technical assistant

Media aideLibrary media assistant

Library technician

Why Certification? 4 top reasons

Recognition

Learn new things

Provide better service

Contribute to library improvement

Not a Job but a Career!

“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 How Do They Get to A Desired Future; A Report of Focus Groups (unpublished, 1991).

The Value of LSSCEarns you the respect you deserve Allows you to demonstrate your valueGives you an edge on a job or promotionIncreased flexibility as a library workerIncreases your self-confidence Portable to other statesProof of achievementLibrary users are better served

“I have moved from part-time position to full-time, and better serve patrons with knowledge gained as well as making myself a better co-worker with the responsibilities given to me based on my skills and knowledge” - LSSC candidate survey response, Feb 2012

Current Candidates

375 Candidates (335 active, 40 graduates)

46 States Represented

Role Definition - Competencies MLS (BIG PICTURE)

Theory and philosophyResearch and evaluationPolicy developmentStrategic planningService developmentAll requiredOnly accessible via library

school

LSS (MORE FOCUS)PracticalOperationalNeed to knowAble to do10 competency sets

3 required3 elective

Available through approved courses and independent learning

“I am not interested in putting the effort and time into an MLS. Support Staff is what I've always enjoyed and the LSSC will make me a better employee as well as give me better job prospects should our library continue to be downsized” – LSSC candidate survey, Feb 2012

LSSC Nuts and Bolts

Eligibility

High school diploma or a GED

One year library experience, paid or unpaid1820 hours collectively (over five years)

Enrollment Apply at: http://ala-apa.org/lssc/

Cost: $350 ($325 if ALA member)

Certification RequirementDemonstrate achievement of six competency

sets by . . .

Completing approved courses and/or submit portfolios

within four years

LSSC Competency Sets

Required Foundations of

Library ServiceTechnologyCommunication

and Teamwork

ElectivesAccess ServicesAdult Readers’ AdvisoryCataloging and ClassificationCollectionsReference and Information

ServicesSupervision and ManagementYouth Services

Competency Example Collections

1. Library Support Staff know how to use integrated library systems, other appropriate online tools, and data to manage collections.

2. LSS know the basic principles of collection development and management.

3. LSS assist with decisions regarding selection, de-selection, retention, and replacement of all types of library resources.

Competency Achievement OptionsApproved Courses

No experience or education?No interest in self-directed learning?Additional costs.

Portfolios Significant experience or education? Prefer independent learning? No additional costs.

LSSC-Approved CoursesMeet LSSC requirements

Providers set costs, NOT LSSC

Online; In-person; or Combination

Course fees average $400Range from $75 - $1,200

“A course has helped me to understand the different functions of the library. This understanding has allowed me to be more aware of the information I need to provide when having discussions with members of other departments.” – LSSC candidate survey, Feb 2012

LSSC Course Providers Community Colleges & Universities

Consultants

Library Service Network (Amigos)

State Libraries

Portfolios “A selective collection of work that demonstrates

knowledge and skills in a competency set”

Equivalent to course work

Document knowledge & skills

Use own work or answer a PDS

“I have recently experienced conflict with a coworker; the conflict resolution portfolio that I completed helped me with a successful resolution with this coworker” – LSSC candidate survey, Feb 2012

Portfolio Development Suggestions

An activity or assignment for each competency

2 to 4 PDS per competency

Complete one PDS per competency

Indicate if you used a PDS

Sample PDS

Portfolio Evaluation

Two evaluators read

Met (Hooray!)

Partially Met (Provide more info…)

Not Met (Suggest a course.)

Library Managers can help! • Recognition

• Help with registration fee

• Help with course fees

• Time off

More Support Ideas• Help with assignments

• Inform “higher-ups”

• Recognize accomplishments

• Add responsibility as skills and knowledge increase

LTA Recognition Agreements In Process:Bluegrass Community & Technical

College, KYNorthampton Community College, PACuesta College, CAFresno City College, CAGeorgia Perimeter CollegePueblo Community College, COCollege of Lake County, IL Spokane Falls Community College, WA

Agreements with:Waubonsee CC, IL Ivy Tech College, INPalomar College, CACollege of DuPage, ILIllinois Central CollegeHighline CC, WAPasadena City College, CAPomona City College, CACentral Carolina Technical College, SCBelmont College, OHThree Rivers Community College, CTDona Ana Community College, NMCity College of San Francisco

Next Steps: Evaluation

Does LSSC make a difference in user services, in individuals, in libraries?

A survey of our candidates in February 2012 yielded some very good feedback on the LSSC program:80% of the respondents named specific ways in which

participation in the LSSC Program improved their abilities.Moral support from managers/employers was highly valuedMany of the libraries in which the candidates currently work

have been providing financial assistance as well as time away from work duties to work on LSSC materials and coursework.

What our candidates have to say…

WHY LSS Certification? “My work toward certification helped me to compare

and contrast the principles of our profession with the realities I've observed in over 15 years of library work. Many of my professional perceptions were confirmed which made me more confident in my skills and knowledge of the field. Some of my professional perceptions were challenged allowing me to think about my opinions and responsibilities in a new light.” – LSSC candidate survey, Feb 2012

Questions?

More Information Website: http://ala-apa.org/lssc

Program e-mail: lssc@ala.org

Karen Strege: kstrege@msn.com

Nancy Bolt: nancybolt@earthlink.net

Ian Lashbrook: ilashbrook@ala.org

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