Library Competencies
The American Library Association and the Western Council of State Libraries have both established competencies for librarians and library support staff who are interested in pursuing continuing education and certification. These competencies are designed to help individuals working in libraries understand what they should know or be able to do after achieving certification. After careful review, the Montana State Library determined that the already established competencies provided an effective framework for the state's library certification program.
To review these competencies, please see the following websites:
NOTE: The Western Council of State Libraries determined Library Practitioner Core Competencies and established the Library Practitioner Certificate Program desgined for an "individual who is a library director or manager and has no library science degree." The Library Practitioner Certificate Program was discontinued in 2009, though the competencies are still in place. ADDENDUM (2014): There is no longer a link to the Western Council competencies as they no longer display the list these were originally based upon.
American Library Association's Library Support Staff Certification
Trustees are encouraged to review the competencies listed under the Voluntary Trustee Certification Track section of this manual. Competencies for trustees were developed by Montana State Library staff in order to assist trustees in finding relevant continuing education opportunities.
ADDENDUM (2014): WebJunction maintains a comprehensive index of library competencies which librarians may find helpful.
ASPeN: The New Library Directory
- Home
- About the Certification Program and Update!
- About The Montana Certification Program For Library Directors, Staff, and Trustees
- Goals Of The Certification Program
- A Quick Look At The 2009 Program Changes
- Library Competencies
- Responsibilities of MSL, Library Directors, and Boards
- Role Of Montana State Library
- Role Of Library Directors
- Role Of The Library Board
- Becoming Certified
- Who Should Become Certified?
- Public Library Directors Must Be Certified
- Requirements For Certification Tracks And Specializations
- Voluntary Trustee Certification Track
- Earning Continuing Education Credits
- Continuing Education Credits: What Counts, What Doesn’t?
- How To Earn Continuing Education Credits
- Training And Learning Opportunities
- Which Continuing Education Category Is Right?
- For College Coursework– Including MLS/MLIS Degrees
- For Continuing Education Credits For Presenting Workshops
- Keeping Track Of Continuing Education Credits
- Applying for Certification
- How To Apply For Certification
- Forms
- Continuing Education Contact