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Guidelines For The Issuance Of Continuing Library Education Certificates

Encouraging High Quality Continuing Education Opportunities For Library Staff

Continuing Library Education Certificates Contact Information:

Division of Library Development
Connecticut State Library
231 Capitol Ave.
Hartford, CT 06106
Tel: 860-757-6665
E-mail: sbrett@cslib.org

Connecticut State Library Guidelines for the Issuance of Continuing Library Education Certificates were developed by the Task Force on Structure and Policy of the Advisory Council on Library Planning and Development.
The Advisory Council approved the Guidelines on April 12, 2000

Members of the Task Force are
Anita Barney, Western Connecticut Library Council
Sharon Brettschneider, Connecticut State Library
Susan Cormier, Connecticut State Library
Betty Goyette, State Department of Education
Jay Johnston, Southington Public Library
Frances Nadeau, Central Connecticut State University

State Library Board
Ann M. Clark, Chair
Edmund B. Sullivan, Vice-Chair
Robert R. Gallucci
Judge Francis X. Hennessy
Joy Hostage
Mollie Keller
Larry Kibner
Judge John Ronan
Commissioner Ted Sergi
John T. Short
Edwin E. Williams

Library Administrative Staff
Kendall Wiggin, State Librarian
Sharon Brettschneider, Director, Division of Library Development
Richard Kingston, Director, Administrative Services
Lynne Newell, Director, Information Services Division

Introduction
Library staff must continually update their education to develop and maintain the skills necessary to respond to the growing demands of the increasingly complex, modern library. Libraries must meet demands for traditional, print-centered services while addressing the challenges of the technological and electronic revolution. Libraries need employees with new skills:

people able to continually learn new technical applications,
information literate individuals who are able to negotiate in an electronic information environment,
people who are able to teach patrons how to use library resources; and
people who are able to meet the literacy and developmental needs of children.

Because more is expected of today's library staff, the investment in professional development is an essential component of high quality library service. It is intended that these guidelines will strengthen the connection between the investment of both time and money in ongoing professional development and improved library service. The following documents have been considered in the design of these guidelines:

The Division of Library Development Strategic Plan, Connecticut State Library;
Minimum Standards for Connecticut Public Libraries, Connecticut State Library; and
Connecticut Guidelines for the Issuance of Continuing Education Units Required for Certification, Connecticut State Department of Education.

Minimum Standards
In 1994, the Public Library Standards Task Force of the Advisory Council for Library Planning and Development (ACLPD) published Minimum Standards for Connecticut Principal Public Libraries. One of the standards in this document states "The library shall encourage, and provide paid leave for, all staff to participate in appropriate continuing education activities, subject to library operating needs." Since that time, rapid technological and societal change have made it essential that library staff continually develop and maintain their knowledge and skills.

In 2000, the ACLPD Task Force on Structure and Policy sought to further encourage continuing education for library staff through several recommendations:

That all libraries encourage and support continuing education for their library staff;
That in order to develop and maintain skills, library staff complete a minimum of fifteen (15) hours of continuing education each year.
That in order to recognize the need for professional development, the Connecticut State Library acknowledge continuing education efforts by issuing Continuing Library Education Certificates.

The State Library will strive to ensure that adequate opportunities are provided for library staff to fulfill this requirement at low cost to themselves or their libraries.

In addition to participation in the more formal continuing education opportunities, lifelong learning is recognized as a valuable and necessary component of everyone's job. All library staff should be encouraged to pursue other professional development avenues, including professional reading and study, collaborative research, formal undergraduate and graduate courses and informal workshops. These are, however, outside the scope of the CLEC program.

Goals
The goals behind the establishment of the Continuing Library Education Certificate program are:

To encourage high quality, professional continuing education opportunities for library staff;
To encourage library staff participation in continuing education;
To recognize library staff participation in continuing education;
To provide library staff with a method to keep a record of their continuing education achievements; and,
To verify that certain professional development activities have met certain standards and are contributing to the competencies of the staff of Connecticut libraries.

Program Description
This program will offer Continuing Library Education Certificates (CLEC) for completion of an approved continuing education session or workshop. These certificates differ from the Continuing Education Units offered through the State Department of Education since they do not have statutory authority. Although this program is not regulatory, it will allow library staff to keep a record of participation in quality continuing education.

Workshop Certificates
These certificates will be awarded for participation in high-quality, continuing education opportunities that improve the skills, knowledge and abilities of library staff and will be based on the number of educational contact hours. Calculations of CLEC credits will be on a direct account of time-on-task to achieve the stated learning objective of the activity exclusive of breaks, registration and other non-learning activities. For example, six CLEC credits will be awarded for six hours of instruction.

Standards
All learning experiences for which CLEC credits are awarded should enrich or improve the skills, knowledge and abilities of library staff to provide quality library service. An approved workshop or session shall:

address core competencies as developed by the Connecticut State Library;
address the continuing education needs of library staff as established by a needs assessment, or other survey, or by direct requests from the library community; or
address the enhancement of skills or knowledge of library workers;
have clearly stated, concise written statements of learning outcomes;
meet for a minimum of two (2) hours; and
obtain evaluations from each participant, which assess the activity's relevance, content, effectiveness in skill or knowledge transfer.

Procedures
The Connecticut State Library will approve organizations that may offer Continuing Library Education Certificates. The organization must agree to adhere to the standards set forth in this document and agree to the following procedures:

Ensure that the continuing education activity meets minimum standards as stated above;
Ensure that certificates are awarded only to participants who have attended the entire workshop or session (Partial awards will not be allowed);
Ensure that the trainers keep accurate records of attendance;
Use the official Continuing Library Education Certificate as approved by the Statewide Continuing Education Committee and the Connecticut State Library; and,
Award Continuing Library Education Certificates using the Connecticut State Library approved template. The certificate shall include the title of the workshop, date, hours and competencies addressed.

Individuals will be expected to maintain their own file of Continuing Library Education Certificates.

Connecticut State Library Continuing Education Award
Upon completion of seventy-five (75) hours of Continuing Education credits, individuals may apply for a Continuing Education Award from the State Librarian. Applications will include:

A completed Connecticut State Library Continuing Education Award Application; copies of their Continuing Library Education Certificates; and,
Certificates of completion from other continuing education providers (such as NELINET, non-credit courses at colleges, courses offering CEUs).

Applications should be submitted to:

State Librarian
Connecticut State Library
231 Capitol Ave.
Hartford, CT 06106

Applications are available here or by contacting the Division of Library Development.