For immediate release | November 9, 2012
ALA-APA approves new certification option for Belmont College graduates
CHICAGO — The American Library Association-Allied Professional Association (ALA-APA) announced today that it has completed an agreement with Belmont College’s fully online Library Paraprofessional Degree Program. This agreement will allow Belmont’s college graduates, who meet the established criteria, to receive the LSSC (Library Support Staff Certification) designation.
ALA-APA and Belmont College believe that the graduate’s library paraprofessional degree, coupled with the LSSC will benefit their graduates, the library in which they work and library users.
Lorelle Swader, director of ALA-APA, said, “These graduates will be recognized for their acquired skills and knowledge with this national certification, which is quickly becoming a standard for the profession. The LSSC will show employers of these graduates that they have made a commitment to furthering their own continuing professional development and future.”
The ALA-APA proposed this agreement after reviewing Belmont’s curriculum and finding that the graduates of its library program completed coursework that meets the majority of LSSC’s competency requirements.
ALA-APA is has similar agreements with the Pasadena City College and the Palomar Community College in California; the Waubonsee Community College, the College of DuPage, and the Illinois Central College in Illinois; Connecticut’s Three Rivers Community College; New Mexico’s Dona Ana Community College; the Ivy Tech Community College in Indiana; and the Central Carolina Community College in North Carolina. ALA-APA is working with 11 other colleges to determine if their curriculums also meet the standards set forth by the LSSC competencies.
Funding from the Institute of Museum and Library Services and the American Library Association developed the LSSC Program and support ALA-APA’s work with community colleges.
To find out more about these degree recognition agreements or about LSSC, please contact LSSC Program staff at lssc@ala.org.
Contact:
Ian Lashbrook
Research Associate
ALA Allied Professional Association (ALA/APA)
ilashbrook@ala.org800-545-2433 ext. 1411
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