FAQ

  1. What is Library Support Staff Certification (LSSC)?
  2. What is the overall philosophy of the project?
  3. What is the value and benefit of LSSC?
  4. Why do LSS enroll in LSSC?
  5. How is Library Support Staff defined?
  6. Who is eligible to participate in LSSC?
  7. When can I enroll in the program?
  8. What do I have to do to be certified?
  9. What are the competency sets?
  10. How can I demonstrate my competency in these areas?
  11. Does the LSSC program offer these courses?
  12. Will courses be offered locally?
  13. Where do I find out about approved courses?
  14. How can I get help in preparing a portfolio?
  15. I’ve taken many courses and workshops. Will they “count”?
  16. May I receive credit for working in a library?
  17. How long will I have to finish my certification work?
  18. How long will certification last and will I have to get it renewed?
  19. If I stop working in a library, will certification make a difference if I get a job in another profession?
  20. How much will certification cost?
  21. What does the total LSSC program cost to get certified?
  22. Can an institution pay for a candidate by using a purchase order?
  23. Do I have to be a member of ALA to participate?
  24. How will LSSC relate to state certification programs?
  25. Who has been involved in developing LSSC?
  26. What is the ALA-APA?
  27. Where can I find additional information?

1. 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).

2. What is the overall philosophy of LSSC?
LSSC recognizes the value of the contribution of Library Support Staff to quality public service and efficient operation of a library, by offering voluntary certification based on a nationally recognized set of competencies.

3. What is the value and benefit of LSSC?

  • Earns you the respect and recognition you deserve
  • Allows you to demonstrate your value to the library
  • Gives you an edge on a job or promotion
  • Increases your self-confidence
  • Goes with you when change jobs or move; portable to other states
  • Provides proof of your achievements Increases your understanding of total library operation
  • Helps you better serve library users.

4. Why do LSS enroll in LSSC?
Based on their information provided on application forms and a survey , candidates enroll for the following reasons:

  • Enhance library skills
  • Enhance library service
  • Obtain recognition for their accomplishments
  • Advance their career or obtain a job

5. How is Library Support Staff defined?
Library Support Staff (LSS) work in a library position that does not require a Master’s of Library and Information Science.

6. 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.

While not a requirement, there is an expectation that a candidate will have a basic understanding of technology, including word processing, email, and how to edit, save, attach, and manipulate files. Also, a candidate needs access to a computer on which to store work towards certification before added to the LSSC Certification Management System.

7. When can I enroll in the program?
You may enroll at any time. There are no application deadlines.

8. What do I have to do to be certified?
Successfully complete six of the ten competency sets established by LSSC, three required and three electives.

9. What are the competency sets?

Required

Electives (choose any three)

10. How can I demonstrate my competency in these areas?
There are two ways to demonstrate competency.

  • Successfully complete a course approved by the LSSC program, or
  • Prepare and submit a portfolio online in the competency area that is assessed by subject experts.

LSS who have have significant experience and knowlege in one of the competency sets may want to consider the portfolio approach. Preparation of a portfolio is expected to be roughly equivalent to work required by an approved course.

You may achieve competency sets by completing courses and others sets using the portfolio method.

11. Does the LSSC program offer these courses?
No, LSSC does not offer courses directly. The LSSC program approves courses offered by any library education provider such as: * state library associations

  • state libraries
  • regional library cooperatives
  • community colleges
  • ALA divisions and other units
  • individual consultants

12. Are courses offered locally?
Approved courses are 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.

13. Where do I find out about approved courses?
On this website under “Approved courses.” Remember to check the site frequently as we add courses as they are approved.

14. How can I get help in preparing a portfolio?
LSSCP offers an LSSC Getting Started ToolKit with a detailed section on preparing a successful portfolio. LSSC staff also offers regular webinars on portfolio preparation. LSSCP staff are available to do preconferences or presentations at state conferences.

15. 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. However, you will not be able to get use these courses and workshops to show that you have achieved a competency set.

16. 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.

17. 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.

18. How long will certification last and will I have to get it renewed?
Initial certification is for four years from your successful completion of the LSSC program. Certification holders must renew their certification before the end of their initial certification period and every four years thereafter. Certification holders can renew their certification anytime in the 12 months before their current certification expires and have a grace period of two months after their initial certification expires. Within this time, LSSC holders must provide documentation that they have met the continuing education requirement.

The requirement for renewal is completion of 32 contact hours in educational activities directly related to the competency sets. The 32 hours must include at least four hours in an educational activity related to technology. Please be sure to read the entire Renewal Policy, which discusses the procedure in more depth as well as the costs of renewal.

19. If I stop working in a library, will certification make a difference if I work in another profession?
It certainly should. Achievement of at least two of the competency sets, Communication and Teamwork and Supervision and Management, have benefit no matter in what field you work. This is also true of LSSC’S emphasis on customer service and serving diverse populations In addition, your dedication to obtain certification illustrates your desire to learn new skills and demonstrates your ability to perform quality work. All of this should be recognized by future employees, inor out of the library arena.

20. How much does certification cost?
The registration fee to ALA-APA to 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.

21. 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 through LiveText, Inc. 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 at this time. 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 reverts to LSSC.

22. Can an institution pay for a candidate by using a purchase order?
Yes. Individuals should apply using the online application and select the pay by check option on the payment screen. The institution must submit a purchase order with the names of the individuals applying to the LSSC Program, their email addresses, and the payment amount to:

LiveText, Inc.
Attention: Joe Finato
1 S. La Grange Road, 2nd Floor
La Grange, Illinois 60525-2455
866-LiveText (866-548-3839)
Fax: 708-588-1793

LiveText will send the institution an invoice, and the applicants’ accounts will be activated once payment is received.

23. Do I have to be a member of ALA to participate?
No.

24. How will LSSC relate to state certification programs?
The LSSC Advisory Committee is asking state certification programs to evaluate the Competency Sets and LSSC program. States could adopt the LSSC or adapt a state program using the LSSC. Any decision will be up to each individual state.

25. 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
  • WCSL – Western Council of State Librarians

26. 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.

27. Where can I find additional information?
LSSC website (www.ala-apa.org/lssc/). You may also contact the LSSC office at 800-545-2433 2424 or lssc@ala.org.