ALA-APA Recognizes Highline Community Colleges Graduates

The American Library Association-Allied Professional Association (ALA-APA) announced on May 30, 2012 that it has completed an agreement with the Highline Community College (HCC) in Des Moines, Washington, that will allow the graduates in the Library & Information Services Program, who meet the established criteria, to receive the LSSC (Library Support Staff Certification) designation. ALA-APA and HCC believe that the degree or certificate coupled with the LSSC will benefit graduates, the library in which they work, and library users. Lorelle Swader, Director of ALA-APA, said, “HCC’s graduates in the Library & Information Services Program will be recognized for their acquired skills and knowledge with this national certification, which is quickly becoming a standard for the profession. The LSSC will show employers of these graduates that they have made a commitment to furthering their own continuing professional development and future.” The ALA-APA proposed this agreement after reviewing HCC curriculum and finding its graduates have completed coursework that meets the majority of LSSC’s competency requirements. To receive the LSSC, candidates from Highline must have the required one year of recent library experience or meet that requirement within four years. ALA-APA is has similar agreements with the Pasadena City College and the Palomar Community college in California; the Waubonsee Community College, the College of DuPage, and the Illinois Central College in Illinois; the Carolina Central Community College in North Carolina; and the Ivy Tech Community College in Indiana. ALA-APA is working with 13 other colleges including Spokane Falls Community College, to see if their curriculums also meet the standards set forth by the LSSC competencies. Funding from the Institute of Museum and Library Services and the American Library Association developed, established the LSSC Program, and support ALA-APA’s work with these programs. Washington State Library has partnered with ALA-APA to offer Registration Assistance Awards to individuals interested in pursuing certification through LSSC. In May, WSL and ALA-APA awarded 7 Registration Assistance Awards to the following individuals:

• John Allman, King County Library System • Ezilda Johns, Yakama Nation Library • Cathy Miller, Yakama Nation Library • Kate Mullen, Sno-Isle Libraries • Chelsea Pomeroy, Washington State Attorney General’s Research Center • Susan Springer, Sno-Isle Libraries • Jolena Tillequots, Yakama Nation Library

Three of the awardees represent tribal libraries in Washington, 3 are from public libraries and 1 is from a government library. Congratulations to the recipients. These individuals join over 230 others nationwide currently seeking certification through LSSC. Now that HCC graduates are eligible for LSSC, we hope to see Washington State numbers grow quickly. Major kudos to Highline Community College on having the first LSSC accredited program in Washington State. To find out more about this degree or recognition agreements or about LSSC, please contact LSSC Program staff at [email protected] or visit http://ala-apa.org/lssc/.