1. What are your views on national certification of library support staff? Should ALA/APA take a leadership role in this area? What are your views on ALA accreditation of Library Technical Assistant (LTA) programs?

National certification of support staff is an excellent way to recognize and support the important services provided by LTA professionals. Because of the vital role that LTA’s play in libraries, ALA/APA should take a leadership role in this initiative. I understand the value of LTA’s, not only because of the important role they play in the public library I direct, but also because for five years I taught public services in libraries class in a Library Technical Assistant program at a local community college. The training and exposure to libraries that LTA students receive as part of a well thought out program is beneficial to all libraries. Unfortunately there is only one LTA program in our state and it offers no online classes. If ALA/APA could design an online program, it would benefit library workers or potential workers all across the country, especially in distant locations with underserved populations.


2. Because of limited budgets, increased workloads, retirements, and other reasons, support staff have been assuming many of the “traditional” tasks formerly performed only by MLS librarians. Having been given these tasks, support staff are eager to succeed in performing them. A lack of an MLS degree in no way means a lack of interest or ability, but may mean a lack of knowledge. Can you tell us your thoughts on the training and continuing education of support staff? Do you see a role for ALA in this area, and if so, can you describe it?

My library, like many public libraries, has a 2:1 ratio of support staff to MLS librarians and greatly relies upon support staff to accomplish the library’s goals and fulfill our mission. It is essential that the entire library workforce be well trained, not just on the specific tools and systems use in a particular library, but also on broader library service issues such as confidentiality, customer service, and the implementation and development of new technologies. This training can be provided on the job, through classes from service or equipment providers, at ALA, or at other library conferences or users group meetings. However, training is just one component of continuing education. Networking with workers doing similar work in other libraries taps into a larger bank of expertise and therefore is an essential component in ensuring that support staff to be an important part of the library team. ALA can and should offer more workshops, conferences, pre-conferences, webinars and online training opportunities that specifically address issues of concern to support staff. We can create listservs that support discussion in areas of common interest to support staff and librarians and can publish articles in our journals and online publications. LSSIRT should be leading the effort to create and distribute this information. As president, I would encourage and support LSSIRT’s effort to advance the training and status of support staff.


3. One message that was repeated time and again at COPE III was the need for inclusiveness among all library workers. It was suggested that ALA should take a leadership role in developing and monitoring a policy to ensure that all library workers are included in ALA initiatives, communications, and programs. Do you agree with this suggestion? If so, what specific steps would you implement during your term of office to improve communications and programs to ensure that all library workers feel a part of ALA?

Part of ALA’s mission is to assist in the improvement of libraries. Accomplishing that goal is dependent on cooperation and teamwork by all library workers. Including all library workers in ALA initiatives, communications, and programs improves ALA’s ability to provide relevant and meaningful information and training while grounding us in the real life issues, practical dilemmas, and exciting opportunities facing all libraries and library workers. Non-MLS staff in libraries offer valuable skills and services to libraries. Because of the unique role support staff play in libraries, they have different perceptions concerning library development and effectiveness than other library team members may have. It is important for ALA to listen and learn from different viewpoints- especially when those voices represent people who serve an important role in helping to run our libraries.


4. Does a career ladder for support staff need to be established? Would you be agreeable to requesting a cooperative effort between the ALA Divisions and LSSIRT aimed toward developing statements of competencies for library support staff in various specializations (i.e., copy cataloging, acquisitions, circulation, technology, human resources)?

I would strongly support the updating of ALA’s Personnel Utilization in Libraries: A Systems Approach, which was published in 1975. The book written prior to library automation is out-of-print and out-of-date book, but has a list of common library tasks. Each task was broken down into professional, technical and clerical components. An updated task list, along with the existing Education and Human Resources Utilization Statement, will help library staff analyze their work, identify their competencies, training needs, and help in making appropriate staffing decisions. Cooperative and self-assessment are important strategies for improving and appreciating any profession.