CHICAGO - The American Library Association-Allied Professional Association (ALA-APA) announced today that it has completed agreements with three Library Assistant Training programs that will allow their graduates to receive the LSSC without having to further demonstrate their skills and knowledge. These programs include the Library and Information Technology Program at the College of DuPage, Glen Ellyn, Ill.; the Library Technical Assistant program at the Ivy Tech Community College in Indianapolis; and the Library Technology Program at Palomar College in San Marcos, Calif.

These programs and ALA-APA believe that degrees or certificates from these colleges coupled with the LSSC will benefit graduates, the library in which they work and library users. Jenifer Grady, Director of ALA-APA, said,  “LTA graduates will be recognized for their acquired skills and knowledge with this national certification, which is becoming a standard for our profession. The LSSC will show employers of these graduates that they are serious about their work and their future.”

The ALA-APA proposed these agreements after reviewing these programs’ curriculums and finding that graduates must complete courses that cover the majority of LSSC’s competency requirements.   To receive the LSSC, candidates from LTA programs must have the required one year of recent library experience or meet that requirement within four years.

ALA-APA is also comparing the curriculums to LSSC’s competency requirements of the following colleges:  the Belmont Community College in Ohio; the Three Rivers Community College in Norwich, Conn.; the Illinois Central College, in East Peoria, Ill.; the Spokane Falls Community College in Spokane, Wash.; the Pasadena Community College, in Pasadena, Calif. and the Waubonsee Community College in Aurora, Ill. The LSSC Program is interested in working with other community or junior college programs.

Funding from the Institute of Museum and Library Services and the American Library Association developed and established the LSSC Program and supports ALA-APA’s work with LTA programs.

To find out more about this degree or recognition agreements or about LSSC, please contact LSSC Program staff at lssc@ala.org.

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