LSSC Program updates

 Here's some recent info about the Library Support Staff Certification Program that was sent out by Ian Lashbrook of the American Library Association-Allied Professional Association. 

There is a lot going on in the American Library Association-Allied Professional Association’s  Library Support Staff Certification (LSSC) Program lately, which now has over 430 enrollees and 65 graduates!  We recently posted links of our two archived Conversations with Graduates webinars, which can also be helpful when learning about the program. Those can be found here:

·         2013, April 25 – Conversations with Graduates (YouTube archived webinar)

·         2013, June 18 – Conversations with Graduates (Adobe Connect webinar recording)

The October edition of Breaking News is now available! And finally, please take a look at our Facebook page if you haven’t already. We recently sent out Certified Library Support Staff pins that we had made for our current and future graduates and some of them have been kind enough to send in pictures of themselves sporting their new designation. If you have any questions regarding the LSSC Program, please email lssc@ala.org.

American Library Association-Allied Professional Association

50 E Huron St

Chicago IL 60611-2795

http://ala-apa.org

LSSC Free Webinar Today and Tomorrow

The American Library Association-Allied Professional Association’s Library Support Staff Certification (LSSC) Program will be offering two free webinars in December. Anyone interested in the programs are welcome to sign up by clicking the links below.

December 10th, 2pm Central Time – An Introduction to the LSSC Program

On Monday, December 10th at 2:00 pm (Central), LSSC will offer an hour-long webinar on the program and how it works.  The presentation will explain the value of this certification to Library Support Staff, employers, and library users. You will also have the opportunity to have all of your questions answered by program staff members. This webinar is open to all interested candidates. Register to attend at https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/812038737

December 11th, 3pm Central Time – Preparing a Portfolio

Many LSSC candidates want to prepare portfolios to meet LSSC requirements.  On Tuesday, December 11 at 2:00 pm (Central), LSSC will offer an hour-long webinar explaining what the LSSC Program requires in a portfolio. The presentation will also give you the chance to see examples of successful submissions and learn how your portfolio will be evaluated. This webinar is open to all interested candidates. Register to attend at: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/469129584

 

Ian Lashbrook - ilashbrook@ala.org

Research Associate

American Library Association-Allied Professional Association

50 E Huron St

Chicago IL 60611-2795

http://ala-apa.org

Talking up LSSC...

Today, Sylvia Bowers continues talking about balancing work, life, and classwork while completing LSSC - Library Support Staff Certification.

What help do you wish you had while taking these courses (like group support)?

It may be that I wish I had more group support, but it seems that this is something I am more willing to provide for others than seek for myself. The number of people enrolled in the LSSC program is fairly small right now, so I’m not sure it’s easy to find other participants outside of classes. Classes typically have a discussion board so that the students can interact with each other and share ideas and questions. But, since I’ve started doing the support staff certification, I have been able to share information about the program with my co-workers, I have given two presentations about it at conventions to encourage others and I’ve written about it. I do this sharing willingly and humbly, because it is meeting such a need in my life. I project I have twenty or so more working years ahead of me and I have decided this is a worthwhile investment for me.

Are any of you in the LSSC program? Let us know how it's going!

How to use what you learn in LSSC

Another post from Sylvia in our continuing series about LSSC - Library Support Staff Certification. Sylvia works for Baker County Library District managing the magazine and newspaper collections.

What helps you the most in completing your classwork in the LSSC program?

Working from home: I mentioned that I work from home and this is possible because our IT manager made a house call; he helped me set up my home pc for internet access and appropriate programs that would support my support staff training. The expense for equipment and the internet connection, of course, has been my own, but the library I work for supported me by allowing the technology manager to do that, and I am grateful.

My co-worker’s creative support: As much as possible, I look for opportunities to integrate my class assignments with my daily responsibilities at work, or I turn class projects into an opportunity for on-the-job training. My co-workers help me find opportunities. For example, for one class project I was able to learn all about the online and in-library resources we had for genealogy research. Myself and a co-worker attended “Family History Days”, where I gave a power point presentation I’d prepared on that topic and she put together an informational booth. This presentation led to another opportunity for a similar presentation at another local genealogy conference, as well as sharing the information at an all-staff training day. I needed help from more knowledgeable staff to create the presentation because I needed to learn about the resources for myself, I shared the information with the community and passed the information on to other staff who hadn’t yet had the opportunity to learn about these resources.

Thanks once again, Sylvia. Are you taking classes and working? Let us know how it's going for you by commenting below.

What can you learn through LSSC?

Today Sylvia Bowers, SSD member-at-large, answers a couple questions for us about her experience with LSSC - Library Support Staff Certification.

Which one class have you liked the most and why? How has what you've learned in your favorite class influenced your work?

These are very good questions. My favorite class with the most usefully applicable information was the Library Technology class I took from Northern Kentucky University. The class started with very basic computer use information, ended with document and internet security, with a lot of practical projects in between.

The class lasted from late August through early October. Some of the projects included creating Google docs and Google presentations, and scheduling online meetings. One project entailed pricing and "purchasing" computer systems and furniture for a fictitious library of my choice. Another fun project for this class was planning how to automate a small branch library.

A large portion of time in this class was spent learning how to cope with technology change. This is a very common challenge. We explored resources that are available and strategies that you can implement that will help a person working in a library keep up with these changes, as well as how to make good use of that technology in your job right now.

In addition to the larger projects, I learned much I can use in my job on a daily basis. For example, I learned beyond-basic internet search skills, standard computer trouble-shooting skills, and I certainly gained an appreciation for the complexity of computer networks.

I appreciated the support I got from the instructor and the institution. It was a very satisfying learning experience and I would recommend this class to anyone.

Thanks, Sylvia!

Are you curious about getting certified? Ask Sylvia questions about the LSSC program by posting in the comments section below!

LSSC stands for Library Support Staff Certification

Today's guest post is from Sylvia Bowers who has worked at the Baker County Library District for 7 years. She manages the magazine and newspaper collections for the main library, branches & bookmobile. She also works on the circulation desk, processes books and helps with interlibrary loan. "It's a wonderful job and I love it!" she says. She started the LSSC program in January 2010, and is partway through her fourth class.

I am about 1 ½ years and 3 ½ competencies into the Library Support Staff Certification process. We all know that growth and change are challenging, sometimes difficult and often exciting. I decided to begin the LSSC program because after having worked at my library for 6 years, I felt there were fundamental gaps in my understanding of what libraries were all about (mission) that I wanted to fill, and I wanted to gain library-specific skills that would help me do my job better, such as helping a patron with a reference question. It was time for me to find a way to grow and learn and change.

Even though the LSSC program is very flexible in allowing you to choose your own path - portfolios or classes - I’ve chosen to take classes exclusively. This works really well for me because it keeps me on a schedule and keeps me focused. I’ve completed three classes and am in the middle of the fourth one right now. I really enjoy the online learning experience. I’ve taken “Reference” from Infopeople, “Communication, Teamwork and Decisionmaking” from Fresno Pacific University, “Library Technology” from Northern Kentucky University and am currently taking “Foundations of Library Services” also from Northern Kentucky University. Each class has provided a balance between practical skills I can use every day and foundational knowledge about the library profession.

The benefits I’ve experienced from pursuing certification have been numerous.

Be a Better You: Advancing Your Career through Certification - session at PLA

Those interested in certification may be interested in this session at the PLA conference in Portland.

Administration/Leadership:

Be a Better You: Advancing Your Career through Certification

Friday, March 26 8:30 - 9:45 A.M.

Room: Oregon Convention Center – E141-144
• Nancy Bolt
Consultant, Nancy Bolt and Associates
• Peg Hooper
Branch Director, Jefferson County Library-Golden Branch
• Bryan Fearn
Reference Librarian, Henderson District Public Libraries
• June Kruer
Branch Manager, Charlestown-Clark County Libraries
• Dorothy Morgan
Business Manager, Liverpool Public Library

Let's take conference learning beyond the closing session! There are hundreds of professional development opportunities for librarians and support staff! During this session we will talk about how to choose programs that are right for you right now and long term. We will also explore national and regional certification programs with your colleagues who are participating and how they relate to state certifications.

Benefits and Learning Objectives
• Participants will be able to link their professional development with their career goals.
• Participants will learn tools for selecting conference, workshop and course participation.
• Participants will understand the ALA/ALA-APA certifications for librarians and support staff.

Long-term followers of the national library support staff scene may recall that among her many awards, Dorothy Morgan is the 1997 winner of COLT’s Outstanding Support Staff of the Year award, 2000/2001 president of ALA’s Library Support Staff Interests Round Table, and 2005 winner of the Dynix ALA-APA Award for Outstanding Promotion of the Salaries and Status of Library Workers. And, of course, Nancy Bolt is one of the program managers for the Library Support Staff Certification program.

Support Staff Scholarships Available!

Are you interested in certification, attending a workshop or conference? Would you like financial assistance getting where you want to go? Then visit The OLA Support Staff Division homepage to learn more about SSD scholarships and completing the application process. We are here to help! Feel free to contact anyone on the Executive Committee with questions, comments and concerns. And don’t forget to visit our blog site at http://ola-ssd.blogspot.com/ to share ideas and learn more about SSD.

Cathy Zgraggen
SSD Past Chair
541-312-1094

New SSD Certification Scholarships

Oregon Library Support Staff Certification Scholarship

An anonymous donor has given $1,000 to help five (5) Oregon library support staff members apply for national certification in 2010. Certification scholarships apply $200 towards the $350 application fee to enter the ALA-APA Library Support Staff Certification Program.

• The scholarship is open to any SSD member having a high school diploma, at least one year of library experience, and who has been employed within the last three years in an Oregon library.

• Applicants will be responsible for the remaining cost of the registration fee.

For more information on the LSSCP, see: http://www.ala-apa.org/lsscp/index.html

SSD Conference Registration Now Open!!

Click here to Register!

Breakout sessions available:


Book Repair for Libraries
Note: This is an all day session and all breakout sessions must be selected for Book Repair and there is a $30.00 supply fee. The class is limited to 12 people, though there will be a waiting list for those interested.
Presenter: Carolee Harrison, Conservation Technician with Portland State University; Kris Kern, Fine and Performing Arts Librarian with Portland State University, assisted by Diane Bolen, Willamette University & SSD Continuing Education Chair. This is the first part of an all day session. Book repair for libraries: a hands-on introduction to book structure, the basics of book mending for circulating collections, and the materials used for long-lasting repairs. Techniques covered will include hinge repair, tipping in pages, spine replacement and recasing. Participants are encouraged to bring their own books to work on; however, please note that work performed in this session is not intended for rare, valuable, or extremely fragile material. The session will also include a discussion on collection maintenance and how to prevent damage to books.

Time & Space Management & Organization
Presenter: Cindy Culpovich, owner of Organizing Your Space Organizing Your Space is here to bring order to your life. Living in an organized environment enables you to be productive, successful and creative. We can help you declutter and organize your space. Our mission is to help you become more efficient, allowing you time to do the things you love and follow your dreams. Organizing is my passion. It's challenging, fun, and immensely rewarding. The best part is helping people go from a chaotic environment to a calm environment and to see the benefits in their lives!

LSSCP: Library Support Staff Certification
Presenter: Karen Strege, co-director of LSSCP. ALA may establish a certificate program for library support staff (LSS) in January 2010. This program will cover the background, current developments and requirements and leave plenty of time for questions. Karen is a co-director of the LSSCP and a private consultant with an interest in planning and evolution. Previously, Karen was the state librarian in Montana and held other positions in public and community college libraries. http://www.ala-apa.org/lsscp/index.html

Introduction to CD and DVD Cataloging
Presenter: Richard Sapon-White, Catalog Librarian, Oregon State University Libraries This workshop will cover the basics of cataloging CD s and DVD s. Using a combination of slide presentation and exercises, participants will learn the MARC fields that distinguish these popular resources. Emphasis will be placed on selecting appropriate records and correcting bibliographic data. If time permits, processing issues will also be discussed. Richard Sapon-White is currently head of cataloging at Oregon State University Libraries. He is an active member of the International Relations Round Tables of both the American Library Association and the Oregon Library Association, as well as having served on various committees of the Association of College and Research Libraries and the Association for Library Collections and Technical Services. Mr. Sapon-White has a master s in library science from Southern Connecticut State University, a second master s degree in public health from the University of California at Los Angeles, and a bachelor s degree in zoology from the University of Toronto. In 2005 he received a Fulbright Fellowship to teach cataloging at Charles University in Prague, Czech Republic.

A Day in the Life of a Library Assistant
Ever wonder what your peers around the state do all day at work? Well, now you can find out! Hear what motivates or inspires other support staff. Discover the differences between your jobs and theirs and find out which joys and challenges we all share.

Why can t we all just get along? (how to deal with difficult people)
Moderator: Jackson Stalley Have you ever found yourself bracing for a meeting or conversation? Then this session is for you! Participants will learn how to manage conflict resolution, work with emotions while developing healthy, objective work relationships and valuing differences that will help create a more productive work environment.

The Huddle: A round table forum
Moderator: Stacey Fiegi This session will afford the member the opportunity to get assistance and offer solutions for the myriad of real problems facing operations in all aspects of library services. Stacey Fiegi has been with the Klamath County Library for five years. She has worked in the Circulation Department, Reference Department and the Law Library. She has an Associate s degree in Office Systems Technology and a Bachelor s degree in Business Management Marketing. Stacey is also the mother of three children, ages 22, 20, and 18.