There are two costs associated with achieving Library Support Staff Certification (LSSC). The first cost is the LSSC application fee, which is $350 ($325 for ALA members), and the only cost that you will pay to ALA directly for initial application, enrollment and certification.
The second cost depends on the method that you chose to achieve competency sets. One of these methods is to complete an LSSC approved course. Approved course providers set their own fees.* To achieve competency sets, LSSC candidates can also submit a portfolio on a competency set instead of taking a course. Currently, there is no fee to submit a portfolio and have it reviewed. You may achieve the six competency sets through any combination of portfolios and/or courses.
Financial assistance available from LSSC
Currently, LSSC is offering a Registration Assistance Award (RAA) for one-half of the full LSSC application fee. New candidates can apply for an RAA through a participating state library agency or, later this spring, through the Library Support Staff Interests Round Table.
Last fall, LSSC offered $200 course subsidies to LSSC candidates. The LSSC Program has not determined if subsidies will be available in the future.
Other possible sources of financial assistance for the application fee ($175) and/or courses
- Your place of employment.
o Suggest that you will pay your own registration fee if your library will help with your courses fees or vice versa.
o Offer to share your learning with your colleagues in exchange for the library paying for your coursework. This increases the value of the library’s investment.
o Does your library offer support for college courses or continuing education workshops? Ask if LSSC approved courses are eligible for reimbursement. You may suggest that you pay the cost and demonstrate that you successfully completed the course and then receive reimbursement.
o Does your library pay for you to attend a library conference? It is likely that the cost of your attendance will exceed either the LSSC application fee or the cost of an LSSC approved course. Suggest that you forgo attending the conference and use the funding to pay for LSSC expenses.
o Does your library have a Library Friends Group? If so, perhaps they would be willing to contribute funds to support your candidacy.
- Your library association
o Some library associations also have scholarship funds available for continuing education. The Support Staff Division of the Oregon Library Association has offered registration assistance.
o If you have a library support staff group in your state, suggest that they establish a fund for this purpose. Suggest they conduct a fund-raiser at the annual conference with the proceeds going towards certification candidates.
o The Colorado Library Consortium offered 10 registration assistance awards in 2010 and is offering 10 more this year. Each award is worth one-half the LSSC registration cost.
o Many regional cooperatives have extensive continuing education for library support staff. Suggest that the follow the Colorado model and support LSSC registration costs, in full or in part.
o Many state libraries have continuing education programs and offer financial support. Ask if library support staff are eligible to receive this assistance.
o Ask you state to participate in the Registration Assistance Award program. It costs your state library nothing and benefits library support staff in the state. All costs are paid for by the federal grant LSSC received from the Institute for Museum and Library Services.
- Invest in your own future
o If no other funding is available, consider investing in your own future. LSSC cannot promise that your library will give you a raise or a promotion as a result of certification; however, we know that certified staff have received increased responsibilities and new positions. Certification will be an asset to you if you apply for a job in another library.
o Ask for the LSSC application fee or course subsidy as a Christmas or birthday present from you family. One nephew offered to pay his aunt’s application fee as a gift to her.
PLEASE SEND US OTHER IDEAS FOR FUNDING YOUR WORK TOWARDS CERTIFICATION AND WE WILL ADD THEM TO THIS LIST.
*The LSSC Program does not make recommendations or participate in the setting of fees, or benefit from these fees
