Introduction

What does every person working in a library need to know and be able to do? A task force working on developing the certification program for non-MLS staff in Minnesota libraries identified 50 competencies as basic to performing tasks and serving others in libraries. These 55 competencies are those required of everyone participating in the Minnesota Library Certification Program for Library Employeesat Level I. (If you enrolled in the program before July 23, 2007, you need to complete 50 competencies).

You already have some of these competencies. You need to develop the others. Ten of the required 60 contact hours for certification allow you to attain the eleven Philosophy competencies by attending the "What is Library Service" Day 1 and Day 2 workshops and completing the assignments for these workshops. For the remaining competencies you identify, you can self-select learning opportunities using the remaining 50 hours required in the certification program to meet your development needs. And you have four years to do this.

And you will need to plan to achieve the immediate goal of certification and the continuing goal of serving the library's public in an informed, competent manner by accepting the commitment to career-long learning.

This guide is to aid you in preparing a Development Plan to achieve both goals. It outlines the steps in preparing a Development Plan for Certification. It provides you the forms and worksheets for completing the certification program requirements. In doing so, it uses major components of a career-long learning model, which you can adapt for other learning goals:

• a development plan
  
• record of achievements
  
• transfer of learning plan
  
• reassessment
  

Steps for Attaining Certification Using a Development Plan

1. File a "Statewide Participant Database Form" which is the Intent to Enroll Form.
   
   
2. Record Achievements
   
   a. At the learning event or activity, prepare the "Attendance Record" as instructed on form (copy in Appendix) and keep them to submit at time you complete all requirements.
   
   b. Record participation in learning events appropriate to a competency need on the assessment form for the individual competencies addressed. Do this immediately following participation in the event.
   
   
3. Transfer Your Learning to Work Behaviors
   
   a. Fill in a copy of the "New Behavior Check-Off List" for each learning activity or event. As the new behavior becomes a habit, transfer that achievement to the "Assessment" form in the "Have" section.
   
   b. Optional: Use the "Transfer of Learning Worksheet" for each learning activity or event.
   
   c. Keep a journal during the time you are involved in the Certification program. See "Keeping a Learning Journal" for instructions.
   
   
4. Being Recognized through Certification
   
   a. Prepare a Personal Profile of supporting documents consisting of:
   
   • "Assessment of Personal Competencies" completed for all competencies.
   • "Attendance Records" for learning activities in which you participated totaling 60 contact hours.
   • Completed assignments.
   • Completed final assignment (see "Instructions for Final Assignment" in Appendix).
   • "Learning Journal"
   
   
   b. File your Personal Profile with a completed "Declaration of Completion" form (in Appendix).

CONGRATULATIONS!

This page was updated October 9, 2007.