The ALA-APA is a companion organization to the ALA that, due to its differing tax structure, advocates for library workers’ concerns including salary and certification. Today the ALA-APA Executive Board heard an exciting report from Nancy M. Bolt, Co-Project Director, of the Library Support Staff (LSS) Certification Programs. This will be a program of great interest to library staff and especially to those working in rural libraries, including tribal libraries.  Funding for the study and development of this program came through a US IMLS grant.  The certification is a way to recognize the preparation and skills of library workers who do not have the entry level degree in librarianship, which is a master’s degree. For more information about this certification program, see: www.ala-apa.org/lsscp. You’ll find definitions, a list of the competency areas, and more. The LSS certification program is a year ahead of its target and will move into pilot testing later this year. They anticipate accepting applicants into the certification program on January 1, 2010.