ALA's Core Competencies of Librarianship
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Approved by the ALA Executive Board, October 25th 2008
Approved and adopted as policy by the ALA Council, January 27th 2009
These core competencies
define the fundamental knowledge and skills to be possessed by a person
graduating from an ALA-accredited master's program in library and
information studies and, thus, the knowledge and skills of a beginning
generalist librarian.
COMPETENCY AREAS:
1. Foundations of the Profession
2. Information Resources
3. Organization of Recorded Knowledge and Information
4. Technological Knowledge and Skills
5. Reference and User Services
6. Research
7. Continuing Education and Lifelong Learning
8. Administration and Management
A person graduating from an ALA-accredited master's program in library
and information studies should know and, where appropriate, be able to
employ:
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1A. The ethics, values, and foundational principles of the library and information profession.
1B. The role of library and information professionals in the promotion
of democratic principles, intellectual freedom, and diversity of
thought.
IC. The history of libraries and librarianship.
1D. The history of human communication and its impact on libraries.
1E. Current types of libraries (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 Americans with
Disabilities Act), and intellectual property.
1H. The importance of effective advocacy for libraries, librarians, other library workers, and library services.
1I. 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.
Course which satisfies the competency
[ ILS503 ~ Foundations of Librarianship ]
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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 de-selection.
2C. Concepts, issues, and methods related to the management of various collections.
2D. The basic concepts, issues, and methods related to the maintenance of collections, including preservation and conservation.
[ ILS 504 - Reference and Information Resources and Services ]
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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.
[ ILS 506 - Information Analysis and Organization ]
[ ILS 582 - Library Science Practice ]
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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.
[ ILS 501 - Introduction to Information Science and Technology ]
[ ILS 582 - Library Science Practice ]
[ ILS 642 - Management of Electronic Resources and Services ] ~ Fall 2009
[ ILS 655 - Digital Libraries ]
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5. 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 and groups.
5B. Techniques used to retrieve, evaluate and synthesize information from diverse sources for use by individuals 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 or 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 resource development.
[ ILS503 ~ Foundations of Librarianship ]
[ ILS 504 - Reference and Information Resources and Services ]
[ ILS 642 - Management of Electronic Resources and Services ] ~ Fall 2009
[ ILS 655 - Digital Libraries ]
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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.
[ ILS 582 - Library Science Practice ]
[ ILS 680 - Evaluation and Research ]
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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.
[ ILS 655 - Digital Libraries ]
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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.
[ ILS 560 - College and University Libraries ]
[ ILS 582 - Library Science Practice ]
[ ILS 642 - Management of Electronic Resources and Services ] ~ Fall 2009