This is a voluntary Certification program, intended to improve library service in Minnesota by encouraging library employees to acquire, maintain and develop their knowledge and skills. It is now an ongoing program specifically for non-MLS staff.
a. "Voluntary Certification Pilot Program," MLA Newsletter, v. 2:9 (October 1994)
b. "Voluntary Certification for Library Workers in Minnesota," Minnesota Libraries, v. XXI: ½ (Autumn-Winter 1994/95), p. 18-29
c. Regional public library system staff
d. State Library Services , 1500 Highway
36 West, Roseville, MN 55113; 651-582-8722.
e. Carol Johnson, St. Catherine Library, College of St. Catherine, St. Paul, MN 55105; 612-690-6650; cpjohnson@stkate.edu.
f. Rebecca Patton, Arrowhead Library System, 5528 Emerald Avenue, Mountain Iron, MN 55768; 218-741-3840, rpatton@arrowhead.lib.mn.us.
Level 1 (basic) addresses 55 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 "Introduction to 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. The competencies are usually met by attending workshops approved for MN Voluntary Certification.
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 "Introduction to Library Service" will be offered next. "Introduction to Library Service" Workshops are usually held at Branch Out and in coordination with the Minnesota Library Association annual conference. They are, also, held periodically in other locations around the State.
You make your commitment after you have attended any workshop that has been approved for MN Certification or after you attend "Introduction to Library Service" workshops. At that workshop you will receive a "Statewide Participant Database Form which is the Declaration of Intent to Enroll" form. To enroll, you submit the form with a $10 fee to the organization listed on the form.
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 55 library competencies.
Certification has benefitted participants with increased knowledge of libraries, increased understanding of their jobs, and increased ability to provide better service to customers. This program continues to benefit staff in libraries and has included staff in academic, school, and special libraries, in addition to public libraries.
This program is endorsed and supported by the regional public library systems, State Library Services, the Minnesota Library Association, and the multi-type library systems.
In the United States, more than 30 states have some form of certification program for public library staff. Less than half are mandatory programs, the others are voluntary programs. Only Minnesota's is specifically for library support staff. The majority are designed specifically for administrators of small public libraries.
The participant will pay a $10 program enrollment fee, accept the commitment of time and effort to participate in learning opportunities for a minimum of 60 contact hours and to complete assignments, and prepare a portfolio of accomplishments.
For a workshop, course, or training session to be applicable to certification, providers should be approved by the Certification Oversight Committee. Some organizations sponsoring programs are Branch Out, MINITEX, MOTSE, SELCO, WebJunction, and the Arrowhead Library System. Once approved, workshops, programs, etc., offered must meet at least one of the required competencies. Advertisements for offerings of these approved providers will indicate which competencies will be met. Many regional public library systems have had programs approved.
Talk to your supervisor, to your employer, and/or to regional public library system staff concerning possible support - financial, release time, substitutes, coaches, mentors, etc.
The cost to enroll in the program is $10.00 to support the costs of establishing the database of participants. will be Registration fees for the learning opportunities participants select are also the responsibility of the individual.
This program does include outside work assignments. Contact the "Introduction to Library Service" presenters, Round Robin coordinators, and your regional public library system staff.
The regional public library system staff have information on the competencies that must be covered. Some have already begun to monitor their own workshop offerings for usefulness. All approved providers in the state will be encouraged to use the Certification symbol on their brochures, so you will know that their programs count toward certification.
The planners for certification are aware of the need to keep travel and costs to a minimum. One strategy they introduced is using already planned events such as the regional public library system Round Robins, Branch Out and Minnesota Library Association conferences for presenting the core workshops, "Introducation to Library Service?"
Only partipants in the MOTSE Basic Cataloging Workshop Series during the three years prior to enrolling in the certification program have been approved to receive credit. 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
Some school and academic library staff have taken the workshops.
Certification remains effective for 5 years and may be renewed by particpating in Career Renewal or by participating in learning opportunities annually. Participants must register at the first workshop they attend for Voluntary Certification and complete Level 1 Certification within four years of that date. Indiviuals may petition the Certification Oversight Committee for extension beyond that date.
This is a voluntary program, nothing is mandatory. Re-certification or Career Renewal is available for staff who have completed Minnesota Certification Program for Library Employees (Level 1).