Introduction to the
Library Support Staff
Certification Program
Sponsored by the
American Library Association
and the ALA-Allied Professional
Association
Funded by IMLS
Lorelle Swader
Karen Strege
Nancy Bolt
Ian 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-Pro
Library assistant
Circulation assistant
Library Aide
Library technical assistant
Media aide
Library 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(unpublished, 1991).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 LSSC
 Earns you the respect you deserve
 Allows you to demonstrate your value
 Gives you an edge on a job or promotion
 Increased flexibility as a library worker
 Increases your self-confidence
 Portable to other states
 Proof of achievement
 Library 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 philosophy
 Research and evaluation
 Policy development
 Strategic planning
 Service development
 LSS





 All required
 Only accessible via library
school

(MORE FOCUS)
Practical
Operational
Need to know
Able to do
10 competency sets
3 required
3 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 unpaid
1820 hours collectively (over five years)
Enrollment
 Apply at: http://ala-apa.org/lssc/
 Cost: $350 ($325 if ALA member)
Certification Requirement
Demonstrate achievement of six competency
sets by . . .
Completing approved courses
and/or submit portfolios
within four years
LSSC Competency Sets
Electives
Required
 Access Services
 Foundations of
 Adult Readers’ Advisory
Library Service
 Technology
 Communication
and Teamwork
 Cataloging and Classification
 Collections
 Reference and Information
Services
 Supervision and Management
 Youth 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 Options
Approved 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 Courses
 Meet LSSC requirements
 Providers set costs, NOT LSSC
 Online; In-person; or Combination
 Course fees average $400
 Range 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
Competency: LSS know the basic principles of collection
development and management.
2.1: Prepare a bibliography with brief notations of five articles that identify basic
principles and trends in collections. Your notations should be both descriptive and
evaluative. Write a one-page essay about one new direction or trend in collections.
2.2: Collect sample collection policies from three libraries of varying type and size.
Compare and contrast these policies. Which ones do you think are best and why?
2.3: Schedule an interview and observation appointment with a librarian in a
collection department. At the conclusion of your observation and interview,
summarize what you consider are the five most important principles associated
with collection work. Ask the librarian you observed to review and comment on
your work. Respond to the comments on your ideas, describing how the librarian’s
opinion did or did not change your own thinking.
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
Agreements with:
In Process:
Bluegrass Community & Technical College, KY
Waubonsee CC, IL
Ivy Tech College, IN
Northampton Community College, PA
Palomar College, CA
Cuesta College, CA
College of DuPage, IL
Fresno City College, CA
Illinois Central College
Georgia Perimeter College
Highline CC, WA
Pueblo Community College, CO
Pasadena City College, CA
College of Lake County, IL
Pomona City College, CA
Spokane Falls Community College, WA
Central Carolina
Technical College, SC
Belmont College, OH
Three Rivers Community College, CT
Dona Ana Community College, NM
City College of San Francisco
Next Steps: Evaluation
Does LSSC make a difference in user services,
in individuals, in libraries?
What our candidates have to say…
 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 valued
 Many 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.
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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