LSSC Program approved as meeting the requirements of the Oklahoma Public Librarian Certification Program

CHICAGO - The Oklahoma Department of Libraries (ODL) and the Oklahoma Library Association (OLA) Library Board have approved the American Library Association-Allied Professional Association’s (ALA-APA) Library Support Staff Certification (LSSC) Program as meeting requirements of the Oklahoma Public Librarian Certification Program at the highest level.

Library Support Staff who receive national certification through LSSC will also meet requirements of the ODL and OLA certification program at Level III, the highest Oklahoma certification level.   Oklahoma LSSC candidates who complete LSSC approved courses will receive credit toward Oklahoma certification.

Susan McVey, director of the Oklahoma Department of Libraries said:    “LSSC and the Oklahoma Certification Program have similar goals of improving library service and developing the skills of library staff.   We also share similar curriculum so that we feel confident a library support staff employee who completes LSSC will have learned what Oklahoma teaches in its certification program.”

Lorelle Swader, director of ALA-Allied Professional Association that manages LSSC, commented:  “We feel strongly that state libraries and state library associations play critical roles in educating support staff to develop quality library service.   We are thrilled to be working with ODL and OLA on this important effort.”

The LSSC Program provides a path to recognition and awareness of the critical role that library support staff play in the delivery of quality library service.  It is sponsored by the ALA and managed by the ALA-Allied Professional Association.  LSSC candidates must achieve six out of ten competency sets developed to set a standard for work of library support staff.   More information about LSSC can be found at www.ala-apa.org/lssc.

Oklahoma’s state library and library association began the Oklahoma Certification Program in 1996 to improve services to library patrons throughout the state, motivate public librarians to acquire and develop skills through basic and continuing education, and provide recognition for librarians and library staff who achieve levels of education and training.

Since the inception of the program 17 years ago, a total of 953 public library staff members have been certified. There are more than 500 active certified librarians and library staff currently working in Oklahoma’s community libraries. The program has touched all 77 of the state’s counties, with employees of 108 municipal libraries and 101 system libraries participating in the certification program.