Library Practitioner Certification
Arizona State Library, Archives & Records COVID-19 Response – Temporarily suspending all in-person services, while maintaining our statutory responsibilities
- Our number one goal is to keep the public and our employees safe
- The situation related to COVID-19 is rapidly developing, as is the response from this office and the state. Please check back regularly for updates
- We are committed to providing continuity of services while reducing exposure risks
- In-person trainings for ALL divisions are on hold until further notice. Divisions will hold trainings by webinar as needed.
- Department staff will attend community meetings virtually or by phone, when available.
- Services impacted:
- In-person Patent and Trademark Resource Center consultations
- In-person retrieval and immediate checkout of materials to patrons of Arizona Talking Book Library
- Walk-in reference service for Archives & the Research Library
- Ask a Question - online reference service
- Digital Arizona Library, including statewide electronic resources
- Records retention schedules assistance
- Arizona Talking Book Library requests and link to downloads
- Tools and resources for library staff
- Online continuing education for library staff
- Consulting for library staff on grants, electronic resources, digital inclusion efforts, Public Library Survey and all library services
- Communications channel for County Librarians
- E-rate Services offered online and by phone
- Arizona Capitol Museum Giftshop orders can still be placed online
- Arizona Capitol Museum collections can be viewed online through the Arizona Memory Project and Google Cultural Institute
- Arizona Capitol Museum staff can respond to email and phone call inquiries.
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Library Practitioner Certification Changes
Effective August 31, 2021.
The Library Practitioner Certification has been offered by Library Development to provide certification for non-MLS public library staff seeking recognition for professional development and training related to their library duties. This program was based on competencies that were developed by the Western Council of State Libraries through an IMLS grant in 2007. In 2009, the program was discontinued by a vote of the Council and the competencies are no longer being updated. The Library Support Staff Certification (LSSC) was developed by grants from the Institute of Museum and Library Services. LSSC was inspired by the Western Council of State Libraries Library Practitioner Certificate Program and began accepting applications in January 2010. It is now supported by the American Library Association and managed by the Allied Professional Association.
As of August 31, 2021, we will be transitioning from the Library Practitioner Certification offered through the Arizona State library to the Library Support Staff Certification (LSSC) offered through ALA and supported by IMLS.
Library Practitioner Certifications that have already been issued will be valid until the expiration date on the certificate. New Library Practitioner Certification applications and renewals will be accepted until August 31, 2021. Contact Ann Marie Creegan for applications. After August 31, 2021, library staff wishing to earn certification will be asked to transition to the Library Support Staff Certification program.
Earning the LSSC requires the completion of 6 competencies which can earned by taking 7 courses online through Infopeople. Arizona library staff can take these courses at no cost to them through the Arizona State Library. Once all 7 courses have been completed, the staff person will receive an Arizona Library Support Staff Certification. They will also be eligible to receive the national LSSC. To receive the national certification the applicant would apply and pay the $350 fee to ALA.
The competencies to complete the certification are as follows:
Three required competency sets:
- Foundations of Library Services
- Communication and Teamwork
- Technology
Three additional competency sets from the remaining seven elective competency sets:
- Access Services
- Adult Readers’ Advisory Services
- Cataloging and Classification
- Collection Management
- Reference and Information Services
- Supervision and Management
- Youth Services
Infopeople Courses That Meet Required Competencies: Must complete all Courses.
Competency | Course Required |
Foundations of Library Services | Foundations of Library Science |
Communication and Teamwork | Communication is More Than Words and All Work is Team Work |
Technology | Technology in Libraries |
Infopeople Courses That Meet Elective Competencies: Must choose three competencies.
Competency | Course Required |
Youth Services | Children's Services Fundamentals and Teen Services Fundamentals |
Cataloging and Classification | Basic Cataloging and Classification |
Reference and Information Services | CORE Reference Fundamentals |
Adult Reader's Advisory | Readers' Advisory: Books and Beyond |
Supervision and Management | Library Supervision and Management |
For questions contact Ann Marie Creegan [email protected].