Course Providers
Fee waiver for approved course applications
The LSSC program has a goal of a minimum of two approved courses in each competency set by January 25, when open application begins for the LSSC Program. To encourage this, LSSC is offering the waiver of course approval application fees for the first two courses in each competency set. The current status of each compentency set is:
| Competency Set | Number Approved |
|---|---|
| Foundations of Library Service | 2 |
| Technology | 0 |
| Communication and Teamwork | 1 pending |
| Access Services | 0 |
| Adult Readers' Advisory | 0 |
| Cataloging and Classification | 1 |
| Collection Management | 1 |
| Reference and Information Service | 2 |
| Supervision and Management | 1 |
| Youth Services | 0 |
Course approval application forms are on the LSSC website at www.ala-apa.org/lssc
The Library Support Staff Certification (LSSC) Program accepts applications from educational providers to develop or adapt courses in the LSSC ten competency sets. The LSSC Program provides certification to Library Support Staff (LSS) who complete six of ten competency sets.
Course Maps
Use the course maps for each competency set below to organize your proposed curriculum. On the course map, beside each competency, please indicate where in your curriculum each competency will be addressed. A competency may be addressed through readings, discussion, assignments, etc.
Required
Electives (choose any three)
- Access Services
- Adult Readers' Advisory Services
- Cataloging and Classification
- Collection Management
- Reference and Information Services
- Supervision and Management
- Youth Services
LSSC candidates can demonstrate achievement of a competency set by taking an approved course or by creating a portfolio for that competency set. An approved course may be a workshop or institute or other educational offering; be offered over several weeks or in a more condensed period; be online or in person or a combination of both; and be synchronous or asynchronous. All approved courses must cover all competencies in a competency set.
LSSC is seeking education providers who will offer courses for a complete competency set. Education providers include but are not limited to: library education programs, community colleges, state library associations, state libraries, regional library cooperatives, ALA divisions and other units, and individual library consultants.
Education providers interested in approval may submit an application. This application asks for the course learning objectives; comparison of the course content to all the competencies in the competency set; the method of instruction; how learning is assessed; and a resume of the course instructors.
Courses submitted for approval are evaluated using a course approval rubric. Course providers may wish to review the rubric before submitting a course for approval.
After a course is approved, an LSSC candidate who successfully completes the course must only submit proof of completion and will not have to complete a portfolio for that competency set.
LSSC Program-approved courses are listed on the LSSC website. By seeking approval of a course on an LSSC competency set, you can:
- Attract more students to your program
- Build on LSSC publicity about your program
- Reach a national audience
- Increase your visibility to a potentially new audience
- Improve library service across the country
- Build a national reputation
To help you build a new course, check out the Portfolio Development Suggestions that guide students creating a portfolio in a competency set. This might give you some ideas for activities for an approved course.
We encourage providers to develop and adapt offerings that relate to the competency sets. If a course does not cover the entirety of a competency set, the course cannot be approved by the LSSC Program but may still be promoted as beneficial to candidates completing portfolios.
Questions? Contact LSSC.
