ALA's Core Competences of Librarianship

Approved by ALA's Presidential Task Force on Library Education, Chicago, 8th March 2008

These core competences 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:

1.     Foundations of the Profession 

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 library and other 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 importance of effective advocacy for libraries, librarians, other library workers, and library services.

1H.   How to analyze complex problems and create appropriate solutions.

1I.   How to communicate effectively in speech and writing.
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1J. Certification and/or licensure requirements of specialized areas of the profession.

2.    Information Resources

2A. The basic concepts and issues related to the lifecycle of recorded knowledge and information, from creation through various stages of use to disposition.

2B. The basic concepts, issues, and methods related to the acquisition and disposition of resources, including evaluation, selection, purchasing, processing, storing, and de-selection.

2C. The basic 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.

3.    Organization of Recorded Knowledge and Information

3A. The basic 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.

4.    Technological Knowledge and Skills

4A. Current information, communication, and related technologies as they affect the resources, service delivery, and uses of libraries and other information agencies.

4B. How to use standard information and communication technology and tools consistent with professional ethics and prevailing service norms and applications.

4C. How to assess and evaluate 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.

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. How to interact successfully with individuals and groups to provide consultation, mediation, and guidance in their use of recorded knowledge and information.

5D. How to reach specific audiences to promote or advocate concepts and services.

5E. How to assess and respond to diversity in user needs, user communities, and user preferences.

5F. How to relate assessments of current and emerging situations or circumstances to the design and implementation of appropriate services or resource development.

6. Research

6A. The fundamentals of quantitative and qualitative research methods.

6B. The central research findings and research literature of the field.

6C. How to assess the actual and potential value of new research.

7.  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. Basic 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.

8.    Administration and Management

8A. The fundamental 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.