Lorelle Swader Karen Strege Nancy Bolt Ian Lashbrook

1. Library Support Staff Certification Program (LSSC) Lorelle Swader Karen Strege Nancy Bolt Ian Lashbrook

2. Webinar Tips Communicating You can hear, but you are “muted” Questions or Problems? Use the question box, on the right of your screen Type in question. Press SEND Unanswered questions? Email: lssc@ala.org We Love Questions!

3. Webinar Tips Audio Problems? • Hang up and dial back in (telephone) or check your microphone and speaker devices (VoIP). • Call 800 263 6317 Recording: http://ala-apa.org/lssc/

4. Webinar Objectives You will understand how to: Decide between portfolios and approved courses Organize a successful portfolio Demonstrate what you know and can do Correct typical errors

5. Overview High school diploma or a GED One year library experience, paid or unpaid Cost $350 ($325 if ALA member) 4 years to finish

6. Overview • Complete 6 out of 10 competency sets • 3 required, 3 elective • Opt for LSSC approved courses or complete portfolios in any combination • Fee for courses; no fee for portfolios

7. Required Foundations of Library Service Technology Communication and Teamwork Electives Access Services Adult Readers’ Advisory Electives Cataloging and Classification Collections Reference and Information Services Supervision and Management Youth Services Competency Sets

8. Portfolio or LSSC Approved Course? Choose courses if you like: • A structured learning environment • Regular instructor feedback • Interacting with other students • Or if you don’t know the subject very well

9. Portfolio or LSSC Approved Course? Choose a portfolio if you: • Have significant experience in the competency set • Like an unstructured environment • Can document your achievements • Like independent learning

10. Questions?

11. Four Steps to Success • Decide your approach • Identify what you already know • Document each competency and summarize your work • Submit your portfolio for assessment

12. Step 1Decide Your Approach • Which competency set? • Most knowledge and skills? • Most interest? • Best benefits your library or career goals? • Planning tools and resources on the LSSC Website

13. Structure of Competency Sets • Competency Sets • Competencies (varies from set to set) • Portfolio Development Suggestions • You must address each competency in a competency set

14. Step 2Identify What You Already Know Review each competency in a selected set& identify • Existing primary evidence • Existing secondary evidence • Portfolio Development Suggestions • Workshop or new projects to complete

15. Primary Evidence Examples of work that you did: • Narratives that describe your work • Responses to PDS • Brochures and book lists • Reports and plans • Exhibits and power points • Video or audio records (5 minutes max) • Projects from workshops or courses

16. Secondary Evidence What others say about you • References • Letters of commendation • Personal evaluations • Description of your accomplishments by others • Newspaper articles

17. Primary Trumps Secondary • Primary evidence is the meat, secondary evidence the gravy • Primary evidence shows what YOU really know • Secondary shows only what OTHERS think of you • Secondary evidence alone is NEVER enough

18. Portfolio Development Suggestions • 2 to 4 PDS per competency • One PDS per competency required • Indicate if you used a PDS

19. Example: Suggested PDS Technology Competency 1: Library Support Staff (LSS) know the general trends, standards, and developments in technology applications for library functions and services. 1.2 Describe three emerging technologies that might be used in a library. Discuss the pros and cons of each technology and how it might be used by or benefit library users and staff in a library.

20. Content and Opinion • PDSs typically require: • Content about the competency • Your perspective or opinion about the content

21. Compare and Contrast Foundations Competency 1: LSS know the mission and roles of a library in its community and the mission of libraries in general. 1.1 Research what should be in a mission statement and then review mission statements from two different types of libraries. Compare and contrast the statements. Based on your research, evaluate the statements and recommend if they should be revised and if so, how.

22. Descriptive and Evaluative Collections Competency 2: 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 collection management.

23. To Help the Evaluators • Highlight the PDS you use • More than one document? Tell the evaluators which order they should review your attachments.

24. Step 3Document Each Competency • Organize evidence by each competency • Write a narrative on what you know about each competency or what you have learned from PDS research

25. Create Your Personal Learning Statement The statement should show: • The importance of the overall competency set to your work • A summary of your skills and knowledge • No more than 3 single-spaced pages

26. A Youth Portfolio Example(16 competencies) • Used 9 PDS • Provided 7 responses with these evidence types • Primary documentation used • Multiple narratives • 2 power points • 2 videos • 2 policy examples • Secondary documentation used • 2 newspaper articles • 1 letter from a supervisor

27. Some Examples And more are on the LSSC website

28. Typical Mistakes • Demonstrate experience, not skills and knowledge • Not completing PDS requirements • Writing quality below standards • Writing too vague

29. Tips from Candidates • Use the PPTs to organize your work • Don’t let the size of the task discourage • Focus on one competency at a time • Plan, plan plan… and set realistic goals and timelines

30. Step 4 Submit Your Portfolio • Review your portfolio one last time • Ask friend or co-worker to review • Ask LSSC to preview • Use LiveText to submit

31. Assessment Evaluated by two experts (third, if disagree) Passing • Fully meet 70% of the competencies • Can partially meet 30% of the competencies • No competencies can be “not met”

32. Assessment • Asked to submit additional information for “partially” or “not met” competencies • One more try • Suggest a course

33. Helpful Hints • Organize an LSSC “office” • Identify people to help (mentors/reviewers) • Create a Workplace History (optional but helpful)

34. How LSSC Can Help Helpful resources on the LSSC Website: http://ala-apa.org/lssc/ Preview your draft Provide more examples What else do you need?

35. One Final Word • LSSC competencies and andPDS have been revised • Same 10 competency sets – fewer competencies • If you have begun a portfolio, you can use the original competencies – starting now? - use the new ones • Should be easier for you

36. Questions?

37. LSSC – More information? • Website: http://ala-apa.org/lssc • Email: lssc@ala.org • Ian Lashbrookilashbrook@ala.org 1 800 545 2433, Ext 2424 • Karen Strege kstrege@msn.com • Nancy Bolt nancybolt@earthlink.net