The American Library Association has developed the Core Competences of Librarianship which "define the knowledge to be possessed by all persons graduating from ALA-accredited master’s programs in library and information studies." The final document was approved by the ALA Council at the 2009 Midwinter Meeting. Below, each of the Core Competences are listed with a link to a PDF of coursework that fulfills each.
A person graduating from an ALA-accredited master’s program in library and information studies should know and, where appropriate, be able to employ:
1. Foundations of the Profession
Foundations of Librarianship (ILS 503) best fulfills this first competence. Specifically, the assignment titled "Assignment 1 Info Policy" deals with libraries and how they exist within a legal framework. Looking at the information policies on the ALA's website, I examined and responded to issues of copyright, privacy, and the Child Internet Protection Act (CIPA). In examining the history of libraries and librarianship, I researched and wrote "Assignment 2 Biographical Sketch" about Nancy Pearl, former director of the Seattle Public Library and the Washington Center for the Book.
In addition to ILS 503, History of the Book (LIS 425) made me examine the history of human communication hands-on by examining scrolls to leaves of a Gutenberg Bible. I also got to try my hand at operating a printing press. The final assignment titled "Marissa Antosh HOTB final" is a book review of Dennis Baron's A Better Pencil. Baron's book looks at the history of the written word from Socrates to today.
2. Information Resources
This second competence includes issues related to acquisitions and collection development. Materials and Services for Adolescents (ILS 512) included an exercise in evaluating sources to use for collection development such as School Library Journal and Kirkus Reviews. The file called "Selection Tools Chart--Antosh" compares different review sources, their strengths, subscription fees, and other information.
In Reference and Information Resources and Services (ILS 504), part of my term paper "Antosh-Marissa-03" included developing a basic reference collection for a topic of my choice. Having a background in art, I selected fine art and art history. I sought an art-related reference source from almanacs to yearbooks, and that collection can be seen beginning on page 20 of the document.
3. Organization of Recorded Knowledge and Information
Information Analysis and Organization (ILS 506) embodies the third ALA Comptence. In this course, I created a shelflist for the author Doris Lessing using the Library of Congress classification system, viewable at "Antosh-Marissa-02." This exercise required an understanding of how to organize and properly represent data, including translations of Lessing's books in different languages. Similarly, it was necessary to understand MARC formatting to complete ILS 506 and indicate an understanding of MARC classification standards. "Antosh-Marissa-01" indicates the proper delimiters and spacing in a MARC record. Both of these assignments show an understanding of cataloging systems.
4. Technological Knowledge and Skills
This fourth competence is fulfilled by coursework in Introduction to Information Science and Technology (ILS 501), specifically a collaborative paper about potential hardware issues called "Bibliographic Essay." This paper describes emerging hardware such as RFID tags, the potential benefits, and possible drawbacks to the new technology. The paper also evaluates hardware applications in libraries.
Similarly, I evaluated the Internet Public Library's Teen Space to assess the features and effectiveness of the service. This analysis can be viewed at "Antosh-Marissa01." This digital project analysis was completed in Digital Libraries (ILS 655). The Internet Public Library is free, so the analysis was more content-based than cost-based. However, it was a valuable examination of resources available to teens on the Internet.
5. Reference and User Services
This next competence is fulfilled by Reference and Information Resources and Services (ILS 504). The first part of my term paper "Antosh-Marissa-03" is an examination and critique of virtual reference services. This required an understanding of the principles of reference services and how they can be translated into an online environment. The paper also compares the differences between face-to-face interaction and virtual interaction during a reference interview, including potential issues regarding miscommunication due to a lack of physical and facial cues.
A paper I wrote for Information-Seeking Behavior (ILS 537) also fulfills this competence. I examined Gary Marchionini's theory of information-seeking behavior under the lens of the (then) recent outbreak of H1N1 (swine flu) in a paper called "Antosh-Marissa-02b." This includes the principles assessing current situations. The type of information-seeking behavior during a crisis does not follow Marchionini's prescribed theory, thus requiring a new method for examining current situations in which information is required.
6. Research
Research and Information in Library Science (ILS 580) embodies the sixth ALA competence. The entire course is structured around research methods, review of library science-related literature, development of a research question, and a final product consisting of research and its analysis. Please follow the following links to view the files on Scribd:
Antosh-Special Project Proposal Final Draft
Best Practices for Training and Support FINAL
7. Continuing Education and Lifelong Learning
Lifelong learning is a key component of public libraries, so Public Libraries (ILS 561) best fulfills this core competence. In my final exam for the course, "ILS 561 S70 Final--Antosh," the first question asks about the library's role in checking ages at movie screenings held at the library. These hypothetical screenings feature a discussion component as well. The final exam question asks what should be done when a library staff member and the library's Board of Trustees are in conflict. In my response, I highlight the fact that the movie screening is also an educational opportunity with the included discussion, and the library cannot check ages at the door because they are not responsible for acting in loco parentis. Only parents can be responsible for what their children view, and the if the library checked ages at the door to the movie screening, it would be compromising its commitment to lifelong learning and community service.
8. Administration and Management
Library Management (ILS 565) completes my fulfillment of ALA's Core Competences. The exercise "Antosh-5 in basket" provided me with the opportunity to prioritize and deal with hypothetical staff complaints and problems. By examining these situations, I was able to work on developing effective personnel practices. In addition, "Antosh-2 Service" lays out strategies for evaluating and improving customer service. Excellent customer service to patrons can make them advocates for the library within the community, especially when budget hearings or other town meetings that involve the library are happening.
