Lorelle Swader Karen Strege Nancy Bolt Ian Lashbrook

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Recording: http://ala-apa.org/lssc/

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Webinar ObjectivesYou will understand how to:

Decide between portfolios and approved courses

Organize a successful portfolio

Demonstrate what you know and can do

Correct typical errors

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Overview High school diploma or a GED

One year library experience, paid or unpaid

Cost $350 ($325 if ALA member)

4 years to finish

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OverviewComplete 6 out of 10 competency sets

3 required, 3 elective

Opt for LSSC approved courses or complete portfolios in any combination

Fee for courses; no fee for portfolios

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Competency SetsRequired

Foundations of Library Service

TechnologyCommunication and

Teamwork

ElectivesAccess ServicesAdult Readers’ Advisory

ElectivesCataloging and

ClassificationCollectionsReference and

Information ServicesSupervision and

ManagementYouth Services

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Portfolio or LSSC Approved Course?Choose courses if you like:

A structured learning environment

Regular instructor feedback

Interacting with other students

Or if you don’t know the subject very well

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Choose a portfolio if you:Have significant experience in the competency

set

Like an unstructured environment

Can document your achievements

Like independent learning

Portfolio or LSSC Approved Course?

Questions?

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Four Steps to Success

1. Decide your approach

2. Identify what you already know

3. Document each competency and summarize your work

4. Submit your portfolio for assessment

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Step 1Decide Your Approach

• Which competency set?• Most knowledge and skills?• Most interest?• Best benefits your library or career goals?

• Planning tools and resources on the LSSC Website

Structure of Competency SetsCompetency Sets

Competencies (varies from set to set)Portfolio Development Suggestions

You must address each competency in a competency set

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Step 2Identify What You Already Know

Review each competency in a selected set & identify

Existing primary evidence

Existing secondary evidence

Portfolio Development Suggestions

Workshop or new projects to complete

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Primary EvidenceExamples of work that you did:

Narratives that describe your workResponses to PDSBrochures and book listsReports and plansExhibits and power pointsVideo or audio records (5 minutes max)Projects from workshops or courses

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Secondary EvidenceWhat others say about you

References

Letters of commendation

Personal evaluations

Description of your accomplishments by others

Newspaper articles

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Primary Trumps SecondaryPrimary evidence is the meat, secondary evidence

the gravy

Primary evidence shows what YOU really know

Secondary shows only what OTHERS think of you

Secondary evidence alone is NEVER enough

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Portfolio Development Suggestions

2 to 4 PDS per competency

One PDS per competency required

Indicate if you used a PDS

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Example: Suggested PDSTechnology Competency 1: Library Support Staff (LSS) know the general trends, standards, and developments in technology applications for library functions and services.

1.2 Describe three emerging technologies that might be used in a library. Discuss the pros and cons of each technology and how it might be used by or benefit library users and staff in a library.

Content and Opinion

PDSs typically require:

Content about the competency

Your perspective or opinion about the content

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Compare and ContrastFoundations Competency 1: LSS know the mission and roles of a library in its community and the mission of libraries in general.

1.1 Research what should be in a mission statement and then review mission statements from two different types of libraries. Compare and contrast the statements. Based on your research, evaluate the statements and recommend if they should be revised and if so, how.

Descriptive and EvaluativeCollections Competency 2: LSS know the basic principles of collection development and management.

2.1 Prepare a bibliography with brief notations of five articles that identify basic principles and trends in collections. Your notations should be both descriptive and evaluative. Write a one-page essay about one new direction or trend in collection management.

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To Help the EvaluatorsHighlight the PDS you use

More than one document? Tell the evaluators which order they should review your attachments.

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Step 3Document Each Competency

Organize evidence by each competency

Write a narrative on what you know about each competency or what you have learned from PDS research

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Create Your Personal Learning Statement

The statement should show:

The importance of the overall competency set to your work

A summary of your skills and knowledge

No more than 3 single-spaced pages

A Youth Portfolio Example(16 competencies)

Used 9 PDSProvided 7 responses with these evidence typesPrimary documentation used

Multiple narratives 2 power points 2 videos 2 policy examples

Secondary documentation used 2 newspaper articles 1 letter from a supervisor

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Some Examples

And more are on theLSSC website

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Typical MistakesDemonstrate experience, not skills and knowledge

Not completing PDS requirements

Writing quality below standards

Writing too vague

Tips from CandidatesUse the PPTs to organize your work

Don’t let the size of the task discourage

Focus on one competency at a time

Plan, plan plan… and set realistic goals and timelines

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Step 4 Submit Your Portfolio

Review your portfolio one last time

Ask friend or co-worker to review

Ask LSSC to preview

Use LiveText to submit

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AssessmentEvaluated by two experts (third, if disagree)

Passing

• Fully meet 70% of the competencies

• Can partially meet 30% of the competencies

• No competencies can be “not met”

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Assessment

Asked to submit additional information for “partially” or “not met” competencies

One more try

Suggest a course

Helpful HintsOrganize an LSSC “office”

Identify people to help (mentors/reviewers)

Create a Workplace History (optional but helpful)

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How LSSC Can HelpHelpful resources on the LSSC Website:

http://ala-apa.org/lssc/

Preview your draft

Provide more examples

What else do you need?

One Final WordLSSC competencies and and PDS have been revised

Same 10 competency sets – fewer competencies

If you have begun a portfolio, you can use the original competencies – starting now? - use the new ones

Should be easier for you

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Questions?

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LSSC – More information? Website: http://ala-apa.org/lssc

Email: lssc@ala.org

Ian Lashbrook ilashbrook@ala.org1 800 545 2433, Ext 2424

Karen Strege kstrege@msn.com

Nancy Bolt nancybolt@earthlink.net