The Library Support Staff Interests Round Table (LSSIRT) of the American Library Association has been offering Registration Assistance Awards to participate in the Library Support Staff Certification Program (LSSC) for the last several weeks and on April 30th, LSSIRT will close the call for applicants. The Awards are for $175, half of the application cost to participate in LSSC and recipients must register within 90 days of receiving the award. The LSSC Program offers library employees the opportunity to achieve recognition for their experience, enhance library service, and increase skills and knowledge in areas like the foundations of librarianship, technology and communication.
Nancy Bolt, Co-Project Director of LSSC comments, “Research in Maryland and Minnesota has shown that certification results in library support staff who have a more comprehensive understanding of library service, are more confident, and contribute more to library operation and success. And ultimately, it results in library users that are better served.”
To be eligible to participate in LSSC and thus receive an Assistance Award, applicants must have a high school diploma or its equivalent and have worked for the equivalent of one year (1820 hours) as a library staff member or volunteer within the last five years.
Library Support Staff Certification (LSSC) provides a path to recognition and awareness of the critical role that library support staff play in the delivery of quality library service. To achieve certification, support staff must achieve six of ten competency sets either through development of an online portfolio or taking LSSC approved courses. The competency sets are: Foundations of Library Service; Technology; Communication and Teamwork; Access Services, Adult Readers’ Advisory Services; Cataloging and Classification; Collection Management; Reference and Information Services; Supervision and Management; and Youth Services.
Detailed additional information is available on the LSSC website or by contacting Nancy Bolt at 303-642-0338 or nancybolt@earthlink.net.
Ian Lashbrook - ilashbrook@ala.org
Research Associate
Library Support Staff Certification Program (LSSC)
Office Hours: Mon-Thurs, 8:30am - 4:30pm
50 East Huron, Chicago, IL 60611
(o)312-280-1411, (f)312-280-5297
