For immediate release | September 13, 2011
The Library Support Staff Certification Program offers project for LTA program partners
CHICAGO - The American Library Association-Allied Professional Association (ALA-APA) announced today that it invites colleges that offer Library Technical Assistant (LTA) degrees or certificates to participate in a project that may allow their graduates to receive Library Support Staff Certification (LSSC) without having to further demonstrate their skills and knowledge.
ALA-APA believes that LTA degrees or certificates from colleges coupled with the LSSC will benefit graduates, the library in which they work and library users. Lorelle Swader, director of ALA-APA, said, “LTA graduates will be recognized for their acquired skills and knowledge with this national certification, which is becoming a standard for our profession. The LSSC will show employers of these graduates that they are serious about their work and their future.”
Over the next year, the ALA-APA will review participating college curriculums to find if graduates must complete courses that cover the majority of LSSC’s competency requirements. If ALA-APA and the college sign an agreement, then ALA-APA will offer 10 college graduate reductions in the enrollment fee and assistance with promoting the LSSC Program.
Colleges with such agreements include the College of DuPage, Glen Ellyn, Ill. ; Ivy Tech Community College in Indianapolis; Palomar College in San Marcos, Calif. ; Illinois Central College, in East Peoria, Ill.; and Waubonsee Community College in Aurora, Ill.
Funding from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) and the American Library Association established the LSSC Program and supports ALA-APA’s work with LTA programs.
For more information, please sign up to attend the LSSC’s informational webinar being held at 3 p.m. EDT, noon PDT on Wednesday, Sept. 14; viewers will have an opportunity to learn more about the project as well ask any questions you may have. You can register for the webinar here. To find out more about this degree, recognition agreements, or about the LSSC Program, please contact Karen Strege, LSSC co-director, at kstrege@msn.com.
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