Independent study is a program designed by the individual, and should
be based on the competencies and their corresponding activities,
held only near the end of the program and appproved before
completing certification. Attendance at workshops and classes
with pre-set contact hours do not have to be pre-approved by the Certification Oversight Committee.
The MN Voluntary Certification Program has three components:
- Workshops approved by the CLIME Committee or the
Certification Oversight Committee.
- Classes/Workshops that have pre-set contact hours.
- Self-directed study that has no pre-set contact hours.
For example, to meet the following competency:
Recommend policies and procedures for selection, acquisition,
circulation, maintenance and weeding of library materials.
You might do the following as an independent or self-directed
study activity:
- Read Boon, Belinda. The Crew Method: Expanded Guidelines
for Collection Evaluation and Weeding for Small and Medium-Sized
Libraries. Texas State Library, 1995.
- Read Futas, Elizabeth, ed. Collection Development Policies and
Procedures. 3d ed. Phoenix. Oryx Press. 1995.
- Visit an Acquisitions Department in a large library and talk with the
Acquisitons Librarians about policies and procedures. You might want to
have a list of interview questions prepared in advance.
- Collect
policies on selection, acquisition, circulation, maintenance, and weeding
from libraries that are similar in size to your library.
- Develop
policies for your library and a procedures manual. Discuss these with
your Library Director or Supervisor.
- With your portfolio, include
copies of the policies and procedures, the interview, and a brief summary
of the books you read. Also, include a copy of the approval of your
Independent Study Proposal.
Submit an Independent Study Proposal Form to the Certification
Oversight Committee for Approval before implementing your
Independent Study Plan.
The Certification Oversight Committee has approved some courses for Independent Study.
This page was last updated on June 11, 2001.
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