What is certification?

Who is it for?

What purpose is there for certification?

What is its value?

The idea of certification has been around for years. Almost every profession has some sort of certification program. In fact, in the Computer Science field, there are well over 200 specific fields that one can be certified in. And so, as can be seen, "certification is an issue that is not relegated only to library support staff. [It] is an issue for virtually every profession. From dental assistants, to physicians, to teachers, certification of professional expertise and education is much discussed and, in most cases, is already entrenched as a part of the professional hierarchy." 1

Currently, library support staff and paraprofessionals have no means of achieving a nationally recognized certificate of achievement in the library field simply because there�s not one established (though COLT is currently working on that). Because of this, it is often times left up to state organizations, local systems and conglomerates to develop such a system. It is a complex topic, of which we need to decide what we really mean by "certification."

That question is easier said than explained. Certification encompasses a variety of things, and it is applicable in just about every field. One can be a certified technician to work on your car or one could be a certified pest controller to take care of your bugs. Certification programs of all types exist in just about every field of employment. And that should go for the Library field as well.

Admittedly, there are degrees the people could strive for, such as the Masters of Library Science or the Masters of Library and Information Science. Some institutions have minors in Library Science and some even have an Associates degree. But several of the paraprofessionals in the library field do not wish to obtain a masters degree or any other kind of degree. They just want continued training in their area of employment, recognition for their hard work and dedication, and respect that they actually do know what they are doing. Certification can remedy that situation.

What do we mean by certification? When we use the term certification within the Library field, what we are referring to is a means of recognizing one�s efforts, training, and knowledge in their area of employment. It would not be the same as a MLS degree, because it would not be as in-depth. But it would enhance someone�s knowledge in his or her area of work. It is "an effective mechanism for professional development." 2 � It is just a means of "an external validation and measurement of technical qualifications. When you�re certified, that demonstrates to potential employers that not only do you say you know what you�re doing; an external party (the sponsor of your certification) says you do too. This independent support of your qualifications can lend significant strength to your professional credibility." 3

"Primarily, what certification means, not only for library support staff, but for any profession, is a mechanism for ensuring a predetermined level of skills and expertise for a specific job; a licensing, if you will." 4 � It�s very similar to the idea of a driver�s license. You take a written and driving test and are judged by a recognized authority that decides if you are "capable" of the task that you are applying for.

Since most "Librarians" already have some sort of Library degree, the certification program would not really be something they should invest in since it should go over things that the Librarian should have already been over. And so it is primarily in the interest of those non-degreed support staff and paraprofessionals that such a program would have its most benefit.

The ideal would be that certification would NOT be a "miniature" Library Science degree, but more of a program that has varying aspects which focuses on the specifics of each field. In other words, there could be a Public Services path; an ILL path; a Technical Services path; etc. and would not necessarily go in-depth into all the avenues that Library Science encompasses.

"The impetus to certify seems to come from a combination of forces: a desire for more uniform standards statewide; accountability issues relative to direct state aid to libraries; increasing or improving the view of librarianship as a profession; continuing education to keep the profession current; supplemental education in areas not addressed by preservice education; and an end-goal of improving service to the public." 5

"The purpose of certification is not to produce a piece of paper with a fancy border and a gold seal to decorate an office. That piece of paper is a recognition by an official group of the owner�s quality performance in his/her work." 6 � "The overall purpose of certification is to improve the performance of the workers." 7

Another reason for certification is that with each generation, each decade even, more and more technological advances are being made. Those advances are impacting the Library world in leaps and bounds. Ten years ago, our library system was using the "old fashioned" card catalog drawers. It was very cumbersome and time-consuming trying to locate exactly what you were looking for. Within five years of that, VT text-based computers took its place. Now, we have graphics-based PCs, with our catalog on the web. That has just been within ten years! Every day, new advances are being made. Certification could help keep people up-to-date with the current technology and help support staff understand how to use it and be more efficient in their area of work.

What is its value?

"To employers, certification serves as independent evidence that you have demonstrated the skills and abilities required to complete the program. It also offers a method for bringing employees up to speed on the latest technologies." 8 � Patrons "benefit, too, because a certification gives them additional evidence of your qualifications and suitability for the task at hand." 9 � And for the paraprofessional, certification training listed on your resume would demonstrate your ability and your desire to stay current. This is no small task in an industry where skills can become obsolete as quickly as they became cutting edge. And second, it shows that you take initiative, a trait many employers look for. 10

Those reasons above are for individuals themselves. For the field of Library Science, "there are four very important goals met through certification:

1. increasing the visibility of the field (and the association);
2. increasing the recognition of qualified workers in the field;
3. improving the performance and qualifications of the membership; and
4. enhancing the prestige of the association and its members.