FAQ
- What is Library Support Staff Certification (LSSC)?
- What is the overall philosophy of the project?
- How is Library Support Staff defined?
- Who is eligible to participate in LSSC?
- When can I enroll in the program?
- What do I have to do to be certified?
- What are the competency sets?
- How can I demonstrate my competency in these areas?
- Does the LSSC program offer these courses?
- Will courses be offered locally?
- Where do I find out about approved courses?
- How can I get help in preparing a portfolio?
- I've taken many courses and workshops. Will they "count"?
- May I receive credit for working in a library?
- How long will I have to finish my certification work?
- How long will certification last and will I have to get it renewed?
- How much will certification cost?
- What does the total LSSC program cost to get certified?
- Do I have to be a member of ALA to participate?
- How will LSSC relate to state certification programs?
- Who has been involved in developing LSSC?
- What is the ALA-APA?
- Where can I get additional information?
- What is Library Support Staff Certification (LSSC)?
An ALA approved program that recognizes the achievement of library support staff who work in libraries. LSSC is managed by the ALA – Allied Professional Association (ALA-APA).
- What is the overall philosophy of the project?
LSSC:
- is individually based
- is portable from state to state (assuming the state library or employer in the state accepts it)
- cannot guarantee a salary raise or promotion benefits - all such decisions are made by the employer
- is based on a set of competencies
- How is Library Support Staff defined?
Library Support Staff (LSS) are people who work in a library position that does not require a Master’s of Library and Information Science.
- Who is eligible to participate in LSSC?
Any LSS who has
- a minimum of a high school degree or its equivalency and
- has worked or volunteered in any type of library for a minimum of 1 year (1820 hours) within the last 5 years.
- When can I enroll in the program?
Beginning in January, 2010.
- What do I have to do to be certified?
Successfully complete six of the ten competency sets established by LSSC, three required and three elective.
- What are the competency sets?
The three required competency sets are:
- Foundations of Library Service;
- Technology; and
- Communication and Teamwork.
The seven elective competency sets are:
- Access Services;
- Adult Readers Advisory;
- Cataloging and Classification;
- Collection Management;
- Reference and Information Services;
- Supervision and Management; and
- Youth Services.
- How can I demonstrate my competency in these areas?
There are two ways to demonstrate competency.
- take and successfully complete a course approved by the LSSC program, or
- prepare and submit a portfolio online in the competency area that is assessed by experienced librarians and educators in that competency area.
LSS who have gained significant experience and learning in one of the competency sets through their work history may want to consider the portfolio approach.
You may achieve some competencies taking courses and others using the portfolio method.
- Does the LSSC program offer these courses?
No, LSSC will not offer courses directly. Upon successful application, the LSSC program will approve courses offered by any library education provider such as state library associations, state libraries, regional library cooperatives, community colleges, ALA divisions and other units, or individual consultants.
- Will courses be offered locally?
Approved courses may be offered face-to-face or online. You may want to ask library staff development providers in your area to contact LSCC program staff about offering an approved course. We anticipate that applications for approved courses will be submitted by:
- state and regional library associations
- state libraries
- community colleges
- colleges and universities
- ALA divisions and round tables
- individual library consultants.
- Where do I find out about approved courses?
On this website. Remember to check the site frequently as we add courses as they are approved.
- How can I get help in preparing a portfolio?
There will be help on the online portfolio system. The LSSC Program is also preparing webinars that will be available periodically.
- I’ve taken many courses and workshops – will they “count”?
If you choose the portfolio method, you can include information about your previous course work. In addition, you will have to show how the course helped you to meet each individual competency.
- May I receive credit for my experience working in a library?
Not directly. However, you may use what you have learned in working in a library to prepare a portfolio on a competency set.
- How long will I have to finish my certification work?
From initial admission into the program, candidates will have four years to successfully complete the six competency sets.
- How long will certification last and will I have to get it renewed?
Initial certification is for five years from your successful completion of the LSSC program. There will be a requirement for renewal but this has not been developed yet.
- How much will certification cost?
The registration fee to ALA-APA to be admitted as an LSSC candidate is $350 ($325 for ALA members) which includes a four year subscription to the online portfolio system for submission of documentation. This does not include the cost of the any courses you may take. The course provider will set the cost of the course and will vary from provider to provider.
- What does the total LSSC program cost to get certified?
There is no one answer to that question. The application fee to become an LSSC candidate is $350 ($325 for ALA members). This fee goes to the LSSC Program at ALA-APA and includes a four-year subscription to an online Candidate Achievement Record. This is the only fee you pay LSSC.You may achieve competency sets in two ways: by submitting a portfolio or by taking an approved course. If you choose to submit portfolios, there is no charge. Your application fee has already covered this expense. If you choose to take approved courses, the course fee is set by the course provider. LSSC and ALA-APA do not participate in setting this fee and none of it comes back to LSSC.
- How will LSSC relate to state certification programs?
The lssc Advisory Committee hopes that state certification programs will evaluate the Competency Sets and LSSCn program. States could adopt the lssc or adapt a state program using the lssc. Any decision will be up to each individual state.
- Who has been involved in developing LSSC?
ALA asked several ALA units and the Western Council of State Librarians to appoint member representatives to participate in the development of the program:
- ASCLA – Association of Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies
- ALCTS – Association for Library Collections and Technical Services
- PLA – Public Library Association
- LAMA – Library Administration and Management Association
- RUSA – Reference and User Services Association
- ACRL – Association of College and Research Libraries
- LSSIRT – Library Support Staff Interests Round Table
- COE - ALA Committee on Education
- Western Council of State Librarians
- What is the ALA-APA?
The ALA Allied Professional Association (ALA-APA) is a service organization to the American Library Association and the library community. ALA-APA was created to enable certification of individuals in specializations beyond the first professional degree, and to work for better salaries, pay equity and increased status for librarians and other library workers. The ALA Executive Board approved LSSC and the ALA-APA will manage the program on an ongoing basis.
- Where can I find additional information?
LSSC website (www.ala-apa.org/lssc/index.html). You may also contact the LSSC office at 800-545-2433 2424 or lssc@ala.org.
Questions? Contact LSSC.
