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Spring 2007 Issue
Vol. XXXIII, No. 2

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Action for Libraries

New Library Practitioner Certification Program Introduced

The Western Council of State Libraries, a professional association of 22 state library agencies, launched its Library Practitioner Certification program earlier this year. The certificate will provide recognition for library directors and managers without a master's degree in library science. This program is the first regional certification program for library workers in the U.S.

The certification program is based on a set of competencies that define skills and knowledge needed for success as a library practitioner. This competency set was developed with support from an Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) grant in response to calls for improved training opportunities. Library practitioners completing 240 contact hours in competency areas and having 1,080 hours of library experiences will be awarded Western Council certification.

Applicants must select from courses offered by Western Council Approved Providers. Institutions and individuals can become Approved Providers by completing an application and submitting a fee based on the type of institution. Upon certification, Approved Providers will be entitled to use an official certification logo as an indication of their status and will be listed for reference in the directory maintained by Western Council.

Formally launched in January 2007, awareness of the program has been growing steadily. Four education providers have already been certified to provide coursework for the programs, and many more have sent in applications that are under review. A number of individual library staff members have applied to receive the certificate, and several of them have been officially certified. At least one state library agency is considering using this program as the basis for certification in its state.

For complete information about the program, including how to be certified and how to become an approved education provider, go to certificate.westernco.org/. BCR administrates the program with oversight by Western Council's Executive Committee.