Library Worklife

Certification

Core Competencies for Library Practitioners

The Western Council of State Libraries (WCSL) asked the entire library community to rate the core competencies that non-MLS directors of small, usually rural, public libraries need to manage the daily operations of the library. Responses were due by August 6, 2004. These competencies address "administration and management, philosophy, ethics, history, and trends in public librarianship, services to the public, collection development and management, technical and support services, technologies in libraries and generally, basic workplace skills and personal competencies."

Respondents were asked to rate each competency on a 5-point scale from Very Important to Not Required.

Examples from each category:

I. Foundations of Public Library Service
A Library Practitioner is able to ...

A. Philosophy and Ethics

Explain the principles of information literacy and the role of those principles in the public library

B. Laws, Standards, Governance

Identify laws of the home state that pertain to public libraries

Explain the characteristics of and distinguish between administrative and advisory boards

C. Current and Emerging Trends

Understand, anticipate, and respond to societal trends that affect local library service

II. Public Library Administration
A Library Practitioner is able to ...

A. Management

Manage resources, facilities, people (including constituents, paid and/or volunteer staff, community leaders), and the political landscape

B. Personnel

Plan, implement, and encourage participation in staff development activities

C. Policies and Procedures

Articulate the value of written and approved policies

D. Finance and Funding

Explain the principal means of funding for public libraries generally and locally

E. Buildings

Relate the physical layout of the library space to library goals, activities, and functions

F. Planning

Implement planning processes relative to long range planning, short term plans, crisis planning, emergency and disaster preparedness planning, technology planning and strategic planning

G. Cooperation, Collaboration, Partnering

Participate in state library programs, cooperative information systems and networks, and other cooperative, collaborative, and partnering relationships

H. Advocacy, Communication, Public Relations and Marketing

Communicate and promote the library's values, services, accomplishments and needs to library users, to the community at large, and to funding agencies

III. Services to the Public
A Library Practitioner is able to ...

A. Foundation for All Services

Explain day-to-day library policies such as circulation, intra-library and inter-library loan processes, reference response and referral, Internet

B. Circulation

Apply basic concepts of organizing library materials and controlling library inventory

C. Reader Advisory

Explain reader advisory and how it differs from the reference process

D. Reference and Information Services

Produce a complete reference/information transaction that satisfies the customer's purpose

E. Adult and Special Audiences

Articulate the purpose of serving all ethnic, cultural, social, racial, age and other diverse groups in the community

F. Youth Services

Articulate the stages of childhood and adolescent development

IV. Materials Collections
A Library Practitioner is able to ...

A. Collection Management Basics

Develop and implement policies and procedures for selection, acquisition, circulation, maintenance and weeding of library materials

B. Selection

Develop and maintain library collections based on the needs of the community served

C. Acquisition

Demonstrate knowledge of the publishing industry and vendors from which libraries acquire materials, equipment and services

D. Collection Maintenance

Use standard assessment and weeding techniques to maintain the vitality of the collection

V. Technical Services
A Library Practitioner is able to ...

A. Cataloging and Classification

Explain the purpose and importance of the catalog, the relationship between the catalog and the collection, and the relationship between the catalog record and the library customer's access to the collection

B. Processing

Use the appropriate type of physical processing to facilitate the customer's access to materials

VI. Technology
A Library Practitioner is able to ...

A. Computers and Library Equipment

Demonstrate proficiency in the use of computer hardware and common software

B. Systems/Networking

Describe the parts of a computer network

C. Troubleshooting/Maintenance

Isolate and identify problems with hardware, software, and networks

D. Security/Privacy

Use security tools and backup strategies

E. Library Systems Automation

Articulate an overview of the various automated library systems available

F. Internet

Articulate a basic understanding of the development and structure of the Internet

G. Instruction

Teach basic computer and Internet use to customers

H. Technology and Communication Discount Programs

Explain e-rate and other technology discount programs

For more information about the Continuum of Library Education Project contact Project Director Catherine Helmick at 520-747-3017, libraryeducation@cox.net