Certified Public Library Administrator Program application process opens on January 17, 2006

Contact: Jenifer Grady,


Director ALA-Allied Professional Association


312-280-2424


jgrady@ala.org

For Immediate Release


January 10, 2006

Certified Public Library Administrator Program application process opens on January 17, 2006

CHICAGO - Public librarians – what's next? Certification! The online application for the Certified Public Library Administrator Program (CPLA) will become active on Tuesday, January 17. Those who want to be the first to participate in this program may apply at
www.ala-apa.org/certification/cplaapplication.html.

The application fee for the CPLA program is $250 for American Library Association (ALA) members and $300 for non-American Library Association members . The Certification Review Committee will review applications on a quarterly basis, beginning in the spring of 2006.

Candidates will take courses related specifically to the administration of public libraries of all sizes. Each candidate must satisfy seven of nine specific competency standards, four core standards and three electives. Candidates will be given a list of approved course providers, descriptions of courses and tuition and fee information. Candidates have three years from the date of acceptance into the program to complete coursework for seven standards.

The American Library Association's Public Library Association (PLA), the Library Administration and Management Association (LAMA), and the Association of Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies (ASCLA) jointly sponsor the CPLA program. The Certification Review Committee (CPLA CRC) reviews, approves the requirements for certification and re-certification, and administers the CPLA program.

If you would like an application to be mailed to you, contact the ALA-APA at 800-545-2433, x2424 or
jgrady@ala.org.