Core Competencies for Librarians

My colleague Jeannie An and I are working to develop a set of core competencies for librarians. Jeannie has been actively researching this topic for some time as part of her ARL Leadership and Development Program (and I envy her, because it’s really interesting!), but it is relatively new to me. There are a loads of articles and web sites on the topic, but two that I have found particularly useful are Core Competencies and the Learning Organization by Giesecke and McNeil and Purdue’s Libraries Performance Management System. Both do a good job of clarifying the relationship between core competencies and the organization’s strategic plan, mission and values. Since the McMaster University Library is in the midst of a “Transformation” process, the concept of the “learning organization” (Geisecke & McNeil) as an organization that has enhanced capacities to adapt to change will certainly prove valuable. The Purdue document will be useful because it shows how we librarians will be able to map our tasks and responsibilities to the Library’s strategic plan. And, of course, as Teaching and Learning Librarian, I want to use the ACRL’s Standards for Proficiencies for Instruction Librarians and Coordinators.
Why are we doing this? Of course, core competencies need to be tied to a process of performance appraisal and eventually, they will be at Mac. (But probably not by me!) Right now, we simply want to start a discussion among librarians about what skills and attributes we need to be successful in our careers, and how we might develop these.

Awards

I would like us to institute awards for undergraduate and graduate research, as well as an award for integrating information literacy into the curriculum (for both professors and librarians), similar to what the Augustana Library at the University of Alberta has done. The awards could be presented as part of an annual forum hosted by the Library. Themes could include 21st century fluencies, the role of the Library on campus, campus partnerships, etc. I think it would be a great way to promote the Library and raise awareness about the role the Library can play in teaching and learning on campus.