Eligibility

Any library support staff is eligible to apply for candidacy in LSSC who has:

• a minimum of a high school degree or its equivalency and
• worked or volunteered in any type of library for a minimum of 1 year (1820 hours) within the last 5 years.

You will be asked to indicate provide information about these requirements on the candidate application.  Candidates from countries outside the United States are eligible to apply.

LSSC competency sets are designed for people who wish to work in public or academic libraries. However, library support staff from any type of library may apply and participate in the program.

Cost

The registration fee to apply for candidacy is $325 for ALA members ($350 non-members) who must submit an ALA membership number on the application form.

You will need to submit your registration fee with your application. Your payment may be made by secure credit card or by check.  If you are not accepted into the program, your fee will be returned.

By applying to the program through LiveText, you will become a Library Support Staff Certification Program Candidate.  You have four years to complete the program.  If you decide to withdraw from the LSSC Program, you may do so only within the first thirty days of acceptance into the Certification program; after thirty days, no portion of the fee is refundable.  Candidates who request to withdraw from the program will be refunded the application fee minus $125 for administrative costs.  Refunds will be processed within six to eight weeks after a written request is received by the LSSC Program office.

Your registration fee includes a four-year subscription to an online Candidate Achievement Record which allows you to collect all the documentation of your progress toward certification.