By Francine Fialkoff, Editor-in-Chief ffialkoff@mediasourceinc.com
Aug 15, 2010
HOW'S THIS FOR A CONVOLUTED PROCESS? If you're a library support staff person—someone who works in a library without an MLS, whether you go by paraprofessional, paralibrarian, or another term—then you may be eligible for the American Library Association-Allied Professional Association's (ALA-APA) Library Support Staff Certification (LSSC). For a mere $350 (or $325 if you already happen to be an ALA member) you can start the process toward certification now!
That kickoff fee entitles you to complete six out of ten competencies for certification. Foundations of library science, communication and teamwork, and technology are required; the electives include access services, readers' advisory, and reference and information services. You can either take a course in each competency—which you pay for separately and in addition to the ALA-APA application fee—or combine courses and submission of a portfolio in the competencies to get your certification.
You've got four years to complete your certification. Then you must renew every four years afterward for $150 plus the cost of 32 contact hours in "education activities." (The information and quote come from the ALA LSSC website.)
Leave it to ALA to create a maze. (After all, the LSSC is "sponsored" by ALA but managed by its awkward sibling ALA-APA.)
All this cost and effort presumably not only increases your skill set but makes it possible for you to get a miniscule increase in salary—though given the salary freezes and furloughs librarians are currently enduring, even a meager raise may be too much to expect.
As one friend who is a library professional without an MLS pointed out, given her experience in the field, much of it as a supervisor, she'd be more useful teaching these courses than taking them. She already gives workshops at her library and mentors paraprofessionals. The LSSC program is asking for MLS librarian volunteers to evaluate portfolios, so, despite my friend's nearly 20-year tenure, she's probably not eligible. In some states, support staffers have established certification through their state associations and agencies, meaning ALA certification would be moot. For other paraprofessionals, certification at a minimal cost should be the goal of the professional association. Spending hundreds of dollars to apply for certification, and more to pay for coursework toward it, on a low salary, is not an option. Of the 27 courses listed on the LSSC website, most cost $300-$400.
Many support staffers and others view the the LSSC program as an attempt to wrest money from librarians to support the struggling ALA-APA. They don't oppose standards or certification, but they question the cost. Given ALA's substantial endowment, nearly $29 million at the end of May, ALA could surely afford to do better by the many poorly paid paraprofessionals who staff our libraries.
For instance, why not designate specific programs at ALA conferences as credit-worthy and do the same for low-cost and free preconferences? Why not award credits to paraprofessionals who present such programs or preconferences at state or annual conferences, or at local staff development days?
Lots of professions, such as law and medicine, require continuing education for practitioners. Lawyers, for example, are required to obtain CLE (continuing legal education) credits annually or biannually but can get them by taking or teaching CLE classes. Similarly, MLS librarians could participate as well, gaining credits both for taking and presenting programs. Once we include practitioners in the mix of those eligible to give courses and get credit for them, we create a much richer learning environment for all library staff, whether they have the MLS or don't. And we don't do it on the backs of those who can least afford to pay.
Reader Comments (6)
This is the problem with ALA to begin with. If they charged even librarians reasonable fees, then many more public librarians would belong and the organization would be a better voice for our profession, with more legitimacy. As it is, most public librarians I know do not belong. If they had charged half the fees all of these years (prior to the economy downturn), they would have had twice as many members, the same amount of money coming in, and actual particpation and involvement from those they purport to represent. Another example of ALA thinking that they are much more of a force in the profession than they are... what will these paraprofessionals really get out out of this, besides taken financially...?
Posted by Sue Parker on August 24, 2010 09:39:16PM
I have worked in a small township library for more than 12 years. I will never been given full-time status because it would require the township to provide pay and benefits which they feel they cannot [ever] afford. Besides covering the circulation desk, I catalog, do repairs of library items, handle all overdue actions, train other staff members, oversee library events, produce the newsletter and other publications (including web-based), teach computer and other digital media classes, work with library user groups like the county gen & hist societies, local arts association, and am increasing forced to act as the computer tech person.
About 5 years after joining the library staff, I discovered (by a slip of the director's tongue) that MI has its own certification program for non-MLS librarians based on community population/usage -- and that it was too late for me to seek certification because you must begin the process within three years of your hire.
Despite all that I do on a daily basis, I would not even qualify to shelve books at a larger library. That alone is ludicrous, but to say I must have a piece of paper costing hundreds or thousands of dollars to justify my expertise is extortion. ALA - like I tell my patrons, if you learn a skill, share it. It enriches everyone.
Posted by R A Strawser on August 25, 2010 12:38:19PM
As the representative from the Public Library Association to the Task Force that developed the Library Support Staff Certification Program, I can attest to the incredible amount of thought and work that went into the development of this program opportunity. Support staff delegates to the third Congress on Professional Education (COPE III) asked for certification and for a means of gaining recognition for skills developed on the job (hence the portfolio evaluation option). Two thirds of the staff in academic and public libraries are support staff, many of whom have received little training for their responsibilities, not to mention any continuing education in librarianship. When I worked in Maryland, there was a statewide Library Associate Training Program that gave support staff an excellent introduction to the various staff roles in the library. Some staff were inspired to continue their education and obtain an MLS. For many who choose to make a career of library support work, certification and a coordinated program of education comes as welcome affirmation of their dedication and professionalism. Experience can be validated and a transportable credential secured. Over 100 candidates have already signed up for the program in the first few months, confirming the interest in certification and the value of the program.
Posted by Carolyn Anthony on August 25, 2010 04:07:37PM
I am a LSSC program student who works as a Library Assistant in a public school library. I disagree with the original comments made my LJ. I do not feel that the program is that costly compared to local community college programs and Graduate MLS programs. In fact it is considerably less. The librarians that teach are wonderful and I feel I am getting the best possible training for my job. The main reason why I chose this program is for the professional recognition that ALA has. I think it is a shame, that some library professionals have a negative opinion of ALA and their LSSC program. Like any new program, it will have some glitches, but all will be worked out in the end.
Posted by Marie C. on August 27, 2010 10:28:15PM
As a participant in the LSSCP (Library Support Staff Certification Program) I find the cost for approved courses prohibitive. Although you do have the opportunity to submit a portfolio in lieu of taking a class it seems the time and effort for the portfolio is far greater than taking a class. I am underpaid and I do hesitate to continue with the certification process. The big question I continue to have is "Will this make a significant difference in my career?". I want to support the program because I think it has potential. But I am not sure I can afford to do so.I can't help but think if I am going to spend so much monet I would be better off investing in an associates degree in Library Science.
Posted by April White on August 29, 2010 02:24:52PM
If libraries had a policy of "equal pay for equal work", there would be no need for this program. I have a degree plus years of experience in and out of libraries, but I'm referred to as non-professional staff with less pay and benefits. (I am a full-time employee.) Every other industry gives credit for work experience except libraries.
Posted by Pam Schlehofer on September 15, 2010 09:59:54AM
