ALA-APA Will Launch Support Staff Certification Program in 2010, One Year Early
Norman Oder -- Library Journal, 12/4/2008
- Program grows out of IMLS grant
- Start will be 2010, 2011
- ALA members will be able to use YouTube to ask candidates questions
A support staff certification program planned by the American Library Association-Allied Professional Association (ALA-APA) should be able to launch in early 2010, a year ahead of schedule, ALA executive director Keith Fiels said at an Executive Board conference call November 17.
The program grows out of a grant from the federal Institute for Museum and Library Services to develop competences and standards for support staff and to test a model certification program. The timetable change is “[d]ue to the speed of progress in developing the standards and the many expressions of interest from support staff,” said ALA president Jim Rettig in a message to the ALA Council electronic mailing list.
Rettig, who has aimed to increase member participation in ALA, also said that ALA is soliciting proposals for up to ten “grassroots” conference programs developed by individuals outside of committees. Also, he added, “plans are underway to allow members to submit questions to ALA presidential candidates at Midwinter via You Tube.”
