Taking Charge Of Your LIS Career: The Library Support Staff Certification Program Of The American Library Association

Abstract

The American Library Association believes that the library profession is changing and library paraprofessionals, those without an MLIS, have an increasingly important role to play in the delivery of library services. The Library Support Staff Certification Program (LSSC) was developed to support this role. This presentation will review changes in the role of paraprofessionals, the background of LSSC, LSSC requirements, the path to certification and an evaluation of the first four years of the program.

The Library Support Staff Certification Program is open to anyone without a MLIS, whether or not they are currently working in a library. Candidates must achieve six out of ten competency sets. Candidates may achieve a competency set by successfully completing an LSSC approved course or by submitting a successful portfolio. An ALA website (American Library Association … n.d.) provides complete information on the LSSC with helpful tips for candidates. A full evaluation of LSSC, prepared by the author as Project Manager and submitted to the funding body by the Project Director, Keith Fiels, was completed in the spring of 2014. The Report showed that LSSC had a positive impact on candidates, their libraries, and the provision overall. (Fiels 2014)

The personal satisfaction I have as a graduate [of LSSC] is a treasure and an investment in myself that I will always be so very proud of. I encourage all paraprofessionals to pursue this certification as I believe it serves to set us apart as knowledgeable and informed individuals serious about our profession, library support staff. And I agree the finances can pose some issues, but I also agree the benefits will be well worth it over time. LSSC candidate (Fiels 2014).