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Voluntary Certification
The Minnesota Voluntary Certification Program for Library Employees is
intended to
improve library service in Minnesota; encourage library employees to
acquire, maintain and develop
their skills through continuing education; improve the image of library
employees and libraries; and provide guidelines for library
administrations to use in policy development for hiring staff.
Certification gives you evidence of completing the program and the work
that it entails. It is visible proof that you have completed a program
of development of 50 library competencies. Certification has benefited
participants with increased knowledge of libraries, increased
understanding of their jobs, and increased ability to provide better
service to customers.
Where do I learn more about the program?
- The official website of the Minnesota Certification Program for library staff: http://www.arrowhead.lib.mn.us/certification/
- SELCO
- Library Development & Services , 1500 Highway 36 West, Roseville, MN 55113; 651-582-8722.
- Carol Johnson, St. Catherine Library, College of St. Catherine, St. Paul, MN 55105; 612-690-6650; cpjohnson@stkate.edu
- "Domain Competencies and Minnesota's Certification Program," Public Libraries, v. 40, n. 4, (July/August 2001), p. 228-234.
- Rebecca Patton, Arrowhead Library System, 5528 Emerald Avenue, Mountain Iron, MN 55768; 218-741-3840, rpatton@arrowhead.lib.mn.us
- Level 1 (basic) addresses 50 competencies and requires 60
contact hours. Competencies cover the areas of Philosophy, Public
Services, Technical Services and Technology. The Philosophy
competencies are met by attending "What is Library Service" Day 1 and
Day 2 workshops (10 contact hours) and completing assignments. The
remaining 50 hours are self-selected for the competencies identified
for your development needs.
- Level 2 (advanced), known
as Career Renewal, has been developed, and is not required to be
certified. Those who wish to be certified at the advanced level must
complete Level 1 first or have an MLS degree.
Ask when two workshops that comprise "What is Library Service" will be offered next. You make your commitment when you return for the second of the two "What is Library Service" workshops. At that workshop you will receive a "Declaration of Intent to Enroll" form. To enroll, you submit the form with a $10 fee to the organization listed on the form.
Who will provide the training after the initial ten hours?
For a workshop, course, or training session to be applicable to certification, providers should be approved by the Certification Oversight Committee. Advertisements for offerings of these approved providers will indicate which competencies will be met. All approved providers in the state are encouraged to use the Certification symbol on their brochures. SELCO approved programs are marked with the certification symbol. The Certification Oversight Committee will consider formal coursework and programs receiving CEU's on a case by case basis. Send your questions to: Arrowhead Library System, 5528 Emerald Ave., Mountain Iron, MN 55768; or email to rpatton@arrowhead.lib.mn.us
