Core Competencies of Librarianship
A person graduating from an ALA accredited master's program in library and information studies should know and employ the following core competencies. My graduate work at SCSU has provided me with coursework which provided me both practical and intellectual experiences in the nine core competencies.
Foundations of the Profession
1A. The ethics, values, and foundational principles of the library and information profession.
1B. The role of the library and information professionals in the promotion of democratic principles and intellectual freedom
(including freedom of expression, thought and conscience.)
1C. The history of libraries and librarianship.
1D. The history of human communication and its impact on libraries.
1E. Current types of library (school, public, academic, special, etc.) and closely related information agencies.
1F. National and international social, public, information, economic, and cultural policies and trends of significance to the library and information
profession.
1G. The legal framework within which libraries and information agencies operate. That framework includes laws relating to copyright, privacy,
freedom of expression, equal rights (e.g., the American with Disabilities Act), and intellectual property.
1H. The importance of effective advocacy for libraries, librarians, other library workers, and library services.
1L. The techniques used to analyze complex problems and create appropriate solutions.
1J. Effective communication techniques (verbal and written).
1K. Certification and/or licensure requirements of specialized areas of the profession.
Foundation competencies were covered in ILS 503 Foundations of Librarianship, ILS 521 Children's Services in the Public Library, ILS 570 Utilizing Instructional Media and ILS 580 Research in Information and Library Science.
Information Resources
2A. Concepts and issues related to the lifecycle of recorded knowledge and information, from creation through various stages of use to disposition.
2B. Concepts, issues, and methods related to the acquisition and disposition of resources, including evaluation, selection, purchasing, processing,
storing and deselection.
2C. Concepts, issues, and methods related to the management of various collections.
2D. Concepts, issues, and methods related to the maintenance of collections, including preservation and conservation.
Information Resources competencies were mastered in ILS 504 Reference and Information Resources and Services and ILS 650 Preservation of Library Materials.
Organization of Recorded Knowledge and Information
3A. The principles involved in the organization and representation of recorded knowledge and information.
3B. The developmental, descriptive, and evaluative skills needed to organize recorded knowledge and information resources.
3C. The systems of cataloging, metadata, indexing, and classification standards and methods used to organize recorded knowledge and
information.
Organization competencies were learned in ILS 506 Information Analysis and Organization.
Technological Knowledge and Skills
4A. Information, communication, assistive, and related technologies as they affect the resources, service delivery, and uses of libraries and other
information agencies.
4B. The application of information, communication, assistive, and related technology and tools consistent with professional ethics and prevailing
service norms and applications
4C. The methods of assessing and evaluating the specifications, efficacy, and cost efficiency of technology-based products and services.
4D. The principles and techniques necessary to identify and analyze emerging technologies and innovations in order to recognize and implement
relevant technological improvements.
Technical competencies were mastered in ILS 501 Introduction to Information Science and Technology, ILS 570 Utilizing Instructional Media and ILS 655 Digital Libraries.
Reference and User Services
5A. The concepts, principles, and techniques of reference and user services that provide access to relevant and accurate recorded knowledge and
information to individuals of all ages and groups.
5B. Techniques used to retrieve, evaluate, and synthesize information from diverse sources for use by individuals of all ages and groups.
5C. The methods used to interact successfully with individuals of all ages and groups to provide consultation, mediation, and guidance in their use
of recorded knowledge and information.
5D. Information literacy/information competence techniques and methods, numerical literacy, and statistical literacy.
5E. The principles and methods of advocacy used to reach specific audiences to promote and explain concepts and services.
5F. The principles of assessment and response to diversity in user needs, user communities, and user preferences.
5G. The principles and methods used to assess the impact of current and emerging situations or circumstances on the design and implementation
of appropriate services or research development.
Reference competencies were covered in ILS 504 Reference and Information Resources and Services, ILS 521 Children's Services in the Public Library and ILS 568 Library Public Relations.
Research
6A. The fundamentals of quantitative and qualitative research methods.
6B. The central research findings and research literature of the field.
6C. The principles and methods used to assess the actual and potential value of new research.
Research competencies were explored in ILS 580 Research in Information and Library Science.
Continuing Education and Lifelong Learning
7A. The necessity of continuing professional development of practitioners in libraries and other information agencies.
7B. The role of the library in the lifelong learning of patrons, including an understanding of lifelong learning in the provision of quality service and
the use of lifelong learning in the promotion of library services.
7C. Learning theories, instructional methods, and achievement measures; and their application in libraries and other information agencies.
7D. The principles related to the teaching and learning of concepts, processes and skills used in seeking, evaluating, and using recorded
knowledge and information.
Continuing Ed competencies were explored in ILS 501 Introduction to Information Science and Technology, ILS 503 Foundations of Librarianship, IDS 553 Grant Writing and Funding Sources, ILS 580 Research in Information and Library Science, and ILS 650 Preservation of Library Materials.
Administration and Management
8A. The principles of planning and budgeting in libraries and other information agencies.
8B. The principles of effective personnel practices and human resource development.
8C. The concepts behind, and methods for, assessment and evaluation of library services and their outcomes.
8D. The concepts behind, and methods for, developing partnerships, collaborations, networks, and other structures with all stakeholders and
within communities served.
8E. The concepts behind, issues relating to, and methods for, principled, transformational leadership.
Administrative and Management competencies were learned in ILS 521 Children's Services in the Public Library, IDS 553 Grant Writing and Funding Sources, ILS 565 Library Management, ILS 568 Library Public Relations and ILS 650 Preservation of Library Materials.
Foundations of the Profession
1A. The ethics, values, and foundational principles of the library and information profession.
1B. The role of the library and information professionals in the promotion of democratic principles and intellectual freedom
(including freedom of expression, thought and conscience.)
1C. The history of libraries and librarianship.
1D. The history of human communication and its impact on libraries.
1E. Current types of library (school, public, academic, special, etc.) and closely related information agencies.
1F. National and international social, public, information, economic, and cultural policies and trends of significance to the library and information
profession.
1G. The legal framework within which libraries and information agencies operate. That framework includes laws relating to copyright, privacy,
freedom of expression, equal rights (e.g., the American with Disabilities Act), and intellectual property.
1H. The importance of effective advocacy for libraries, librarians, other library workers, and library services.
1L. The techniques used to analyze complex problems and create appropriate solutions.
1J. Effective communication techniques (verbal and written).
1K. Certification and/or licensure requirements of specialized areas of the profession.
Foundation competencies were covered in ILS 503 Foundations of Librarianship, ILS 521 Children's Services in the Public Library, ILS 570 Utilizing Instructional Media and ILS 580 Research in Information and Library Science.
Information Resources
2A. Concepts and issues related to the lifecycle of recorded knowledge and information, from creation through various stages of use to disposition.
2B. Concepts, issues, and methods related to the acquisition and disposition of resources, including evaluation, selection, purchasing, processing,
storing and deselection.
2C. Concepts, issues, and methods related to the management of various collections.
2D. Concepts, issues, and methods related to the maintenance of collections, including preservation and conservation.
Information Resources competencies were mastered in ILS 504 Reference and Information Resources and Services and ILS 650 Preservation of Library Materials.
Organization of Recorded Knowledge and Information
3A. The principles involved in the organization and representation of recorded knowledge and information.
3B. The developmental, descriptive, and evaluative skills needed to organize recorded knowledge and information resources.
3C. The systems of cataloging, metadata, indexing, and classification standards and methods used to organize recorded knowledge and
information.
Organization competencies were learned in ILS 506 Information Analysis and Organization.
Technological Knowledge and Skills
4A. Information, communication, assistive, and related technologies as they affect the resources, service delivery, and uses of libraries and other
information agencies.
4B. The application of information, communication, assistive, and related technology and tools consistent with professional ethics and prevailing
service norms and applications
4C. The methods of assessing and evaluating the specifications, efficacy, and cost efficiency of technology-based products and services.
4D. The principles and techniques necessary to identify and analyze emerging technologies and innovations in order to recognize and implement
relevant technological improvements.
Technical competencies were mastered in ILS 501 Introduction to Information Science and Technology, ILS 570 Utilizing Instructional Media and ILS 655 Digital Libraries.
Reference and User Services
5A. The concepts, principles, and techniques of reference and user services that provide access to relevant and accurate recorded knowledge and
information to individuals of all ages and groups.
5B. Techniques used to retrieve, evaluate, and synthesize information from diverse sources for use by individuals of all ages and groups.
5C. The methods used to interact successfully with individuals of all ages and groups to provide consultation, mediation, and guidance in their use
of recorded knowledge and information.
5D. Information literacy/information competence techniques and methods, numerical literacy, and statistical literacy.
5E. The principles and methods of advocacy used to reach specific audiences to promote and explain concepts and services.
5F. The principles of assessment and response to diversity in user needs, user communities, and user preferences.
5G. The principles and methods used to assess the impact of current and emerging situations or circumstances on the design and implementation
of appropriate services or research development.
Reference competencies were covered in ILS 504 Reference and Information Resources and Services, ILS 521 Children's Services in the Public Library and ILS 568 Library Public Relations.
Research
6A. The fundamentals of quantitative and qualitative research methods.
6B. The central research findings and research literature of the field.
6C. The principles and methods used to assess the actual and potential value of new research.
Research competencies were explored in ILS 580 Research in Information and Library Science.
Continuing Education and Lifelong Learning
7A. The necessity of continuing professional development of practitioners in libraries and other information agencies.
7B. The role of the library in the lifelong learning of patrons, including an understanding of lifelong learning in the provision of quality service and
the use of lifelong learning in the promotion of library services.
7C. Learning theories, instructional methods, and achievement measures; and their application in libraries and other information agencies.
7D. The principles related to the teaching and learning of concepts, processes and skills used in seeking, evaluating, and using recorded
knowledge and information.
Continuing Ed competencies were explored in ILS 501 Introduction to Information Science and Technology, ILS 503 Foundations of Librarianship, IDS 553 Grant Writing and Funding Sources, ILS 580 Research in Information and Library Science, and ILS 650 Preservation of Library Materials.
Administration and Management
8A. The principles of planning and budgeting in libraries and other information agencies.
8B. The principles of effective personnel practices and human resource development.
8C. The concepts behind, and methods for, assessment and evaluation of library services and their outcomes.
8D. The concepts behind, and methods for, developing partnerships, collaborations, networks, and other structures with all stakeholders and
within communities served.
8E. The concepts behind, issues relating to, and methods for, principled, transformational leadership.
Administrative and Management competencies were learned in ILS 521 Children's Services in the Public Library, IDS 553 Grant Writing and Funding Sources, ILS 565 Library Management, ILS 568 Library Public Relations and ILS 650 Preservation of Library Materials.