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Library Support Staff Certification What’s in it for Me?

Library Support Staff Certification What’s in it for Me?. Kathy Clevenger. Circulation and Volunteer Coordinator Culpeper County Library Culpeper, VA kclevenger@cclva.org 540-825-8691. What is the LSSC?.

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Library Support Staff Certification What’s in it for Me?

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  1. Library Support Staff CertificationWhat’s in it for Me?

  2. Kathy Clevenger Circulation and Volunteer Coordinator Culpeper County Library Culpeper, VA kclevenger@cclva.org 540-825-8691

  3. What is the LSSC? • LSSC – Library Support Staff Certification Program sponsored by the American Library Association and managed by the American Library Association – Allied Professional Association • Created to fulfill ALA’s Education and Continuous Learning initiatives. • http://ala-apa.org/lssc

  4. Who can participate in the program? • Library Support Staff who have a high-school diploma or its equivalent. • Person who has worked in libraries (paid or unpaid) for at least one year. • Person who wants to receive recognition for their work. • Person who wants to grow in ability to provide service to patrons. • Person who wants to increase skills and knowledge in the library field.

  5. How long does it take? • From the time you are accepted into the program, you are given four years to complete the course (six competencies). • It is self-paced and up to each individual how long it will take you to reach your certification.

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

  7. What are the competency sets?Proving Your Skills Required: Foundation of Library Service Communication and Teamwork Technology Electives: Access Services Adult Readers’ Advisory Services Cataloging and Classification Reference and Information Services Supervision and Management Youth Services

  8. How do I prove I met the competencies? Portfolios – submit paperwork or visuals that prove you have the knowledge associated with that competency set. Courses – must be an ALA LSSC-approved course. The LSSC Program approves courses from library educational providers. Can be with colleges, ALA divisions, etc.

  9. How do I get started/proceed? • Fill out an application form on the LSSC website. • Pay your $350 application fee ($325 for ALA members) • Once approved, you will be directed to create a CAR online (Candidate Achievement Records). • Send completed portfolios or proof of course completion to the CAR for review/approval.

  10. Why is Certification Important? • Standard of Excellence for Support Staff. • Shows your passion for libraries. • Gives a greater understanding of the “whole picture” • Shows you want to help support your community.

  11. What’s in it for Me? • I can’t afford to pay for it. • I don’t have time. • Why waste my time when I don’t get any monetary value for it? • I know my job, so why do I have to prove anything? • Will anyone appreciate all the work that I will do to achieve my certification? • How is a certificate going to make me better at my job?

  12. I Can’t Afford To Pay For It • Educational Grants • The LSSC Program offers course subsidies to help candidates pay for an approved course and Enrollment Achievement Awards (EAAs) to help support staff pay the LSSC application and enrollment fee. • Friends of the Library • Educational Funding from your library • Virginia Library Assoc. – now in the works for scholarship funding.

  13. I Don’t Have Time • Make the time. • Continuing education is a “MUST” in the field of Library Sciences – especially in the area of technology. • Set the example - learning is a lifelong experience.

  14. Why Waste Time When I Don’t Get Any Monetary Value? • This is up to each individual institution to decide if there is monetary compensation. • Many fields of study require continuing education with no monetary compensation. • Knowledge is valuable.

  15. I Know My Job So Why Do I Have To Prove Anything? • There is always more to learn. • Interesting to find out how others do a similar job function. • May learn shortcuts that were not known before your class. • Shows you are interested in your job as a career, not just a 9 – 5 job. • More respect from your co-workers.

  16. Knowledge is Power

  17. Will anyone appreciate all the work that I will do to achieve my certification? • Many candidates have found that they receive more respect, even during the coursework. • When helping to make decisions, candidates believe their ideas are now considered vs. just heard. • As the candidate, you feel a sense of self-pride and accomplishment that is your own and can’t be taken from you.

  18. Cycle of Respect

  19. How is a certificate going to make me better at my job? • Increased knowledge. • Increased confidence. • Improved skills for communication with both internal and external customers. • Increased community awareness. • Ability to move forward in your organization. • Opportunity to open doors (knowledge) in areas you may not have been familiar with prior to the LSSCP.

  20. I DID IT!!!!!

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