Library Worklife

Certification

A Public Library Administration Program That Works

By Jerry Nichols

The recent PLA and ALA-APA discussions regarding the need for quality continuing education in the area of public library administration and management has generated considerable interest throughout the profession and unearthed at least one post-MLS management program that has proven successful over a period of time. This Public Library Administration Certificate Program, offered by the Palmer School of Library and Information Science of Long Island University (palmer@cwpost.liu.edu), is the result of an eight-year effort by regional library administrators and organizations to develop a meaningful educational experience for the next generation of public library leaders. The continued success and growth of this program is a direct result of four factors: content, cost, recognition and reward.

Background

In 1996, the Public Library Directors’ Association of Suffolk County (New York) and the region’s public library system, the Suffolk Cooperative Library System, determined that the growing sophistication of their libraries required a far more formal effort in administrative continuing education and training. The library system, similar to many cooperatives in New York State, is comprised of 56 independent public libraries. The libraries submit their operating budgets to the voters annually for approval. Most of the Library Boards are elected as well. Today, the average library budget is more than two million dollars.

The result of these discussions was the development of a post-masters graduate program consisting of five three credit courses in the areas of management; law and legislation; human resources; facilities and technology; and finance. The concept was modeled after the New York State Education Department’s School District Administrator’s Certificate and first offered as a contract course by the library system through the State University of New York at Stony Brook. The curriculum was developed in an effort to focus on the practical, as well as theoretical, aspects of public library management. The primary instructor and project coordinator is a well-known public library administrator in the area with considerable teaching experience. Numerous subject specialists and experts from the field are brought in to teach particular classes to add their insights in the practice of library management.

In 2003, the program was moved to the Palmer School of Library and Information Science at the C.W. Post campus of Long Island University to take advantage of the University’s institutional commitment to graduate programs in librarianship (including the PhD) and to access their graduate schools in business and public administration. In turn, the University petitioned the New York State Education Department to recognize graduates of the program as completing a State approved “Certificate in Advanced Studies in Public Library Administration”. Final state approval is expected this fall. [In September, the New York State Education Department formally recognized the program as an “Advanced Certificate in Public Library Administration”.]

Measuring Success

Students in the certificate program are encouraged to register as a cohort, learning together through the five courses while establishing a professional network that will stay with them throughout their careers. However, the quality of the offerings has also attracted sitting directors anxious to increase their knowledge in particular areas of library administration by taking an occasional course. Twenty-four public librarians are presently enrolled. Of the fifty-one students who have completed the program since 1996, well over half are now serving as public library directors or assistant directors in the Long Island region.

There are several aspects necessary to assure the success of such a program, even with the most appropriate coursework and interesting instructors. In addition to a demonstrated professional need, there must be a tangible reward for the students upon completion. Public libraries, unlike many public schools, offer no direct financial incentive for the completion of graduate coursework beyond the master’s degree. With this in mind, discussions were held with the regional and state civil service departments to incorporate the components of these courses into the public library director examination series in New York State. (Most public libraries in the region are governed by Civil Service regulations.) Those who have successfully completed the program receive additional credit on their examination and therefore are at the higher end of the eligible lists. As time has gone by the “market penetration” of the program has also created an expectation by library boards in the region for an advanced degree in management or completion of the program by candidates for administrative positions.

A further critical concern, especially in the library field, is cost. Therefore each course in the certificate program is offered on either a one-credit or three-credit basis, with corresponding fees. The coursework is identical and the certificate is awarded regardless of the number of credits. However, those electing to matriculate in the program at the full three credit graduate level may submit the courses for transfer into other graduate programs, including the MBA, MPA or Ph.D. Approximately 20% of the students opt for the full credit.

Conclusion

In summary, the program clearly meets the criteria of content, cost, recognition and reward. As of January 2005, the certificate program will be offered on two L.I.U. campuses on Long Island and, in the fall of 2005, it will be offered on the Westchester campus as well. Plans call for developing online versions as well as intensive, weeklong seminars to be offered at remote sites.

The recognition that professionally managed libraries require professional trained library administrators is essential for the continued viability of our profession and our institutions. To prepare our colleagues for the challenges of public administration programs of this type must be replicated throughout the United States and be considered prerequisites for any leadership position.

Jerry Nichols is Director of the Palmer Institute of Public Library Organization and Management Long Island University, C.W. Post Campus.