Course Overview

The Library Support Staff Certification (LSSC) course by Transformentors Academy is designed to help participants develop the practical knowledge and professional skills required to support modern library operations effectively.

Libraries play a vital role in promoting learning, literacy, research, and community engagement. As library services continue to evolve, support staff are expected to contribute not only to daily operations but also to customer service, resource management, and technology-based services.

This practical five-day programme explores key areas of library support services, including access services, customer support, readers’ advisory services, library technologies, and resource management. Participants will learn how to assist users efficiently, support library collections, manage information resources, and contribute to a welcoming and organised library environment.

Through practical exercises, discussions, and real-world library scenarios, participants will gain the confidence and skills needed to support library services professionally and improve the overall user experience.

Agenda

Day — 1 Foundations of Library Services

• Understanding the mission, purpose, and roles of libraries in communities and organisations
• Exploring the ethics, values, and professional principles of library services
• Understanding the roles and responsibilities of Library Support Staff (LSS) in different library environments
• Exploring the relationships between library departments and functional service areas
• Understanding the governance structures and funding methods used in libraries
• Learning key principles of library operations and customer service practices

Day — 2 Communication and Teamwork

• Exploring communication strategies for delivering high-quality customer service in library environments
• Learning techniques for selecting appropriate communication methods based on:
  • Language requirements
  • Communication styles
  • The needs of library users and colleagues
• Exploring positive and productive conflict resolution techniques in workplace settings
• Learning tools and approaches for delivering sensitive or difficult information professionally
• Understanding the importance of teamwork and collaboration in library services
• Developing techniques for giving and receiving constructive feedback effectively

Day — 3 Technology

• Exploring current trends and developments in technology applications for library services
• Understanding the role of libraries in providing access to technology and supporting user education
• Identifying the role of technology in creating, managing, and accessing information resources
• Discussing best practices for maintaining data integrity and protecting the confidentiality of user activities
• Learning strategies for adapting flexibly to new technologies in library environments
• Exploring basic troubleshooting techniques for common technical issues in library systems

Day — 4 Access Services and Adult Readers’ Advisory Services

• Understanding the key elements of access services and effective methods for managing them
• Exploring strategies for organising, maintaining, and managing library collections
• Understanding important library service principles and policies, including:
  • Copyright
  • User privacy
  • Resource sharing
  • Security of people, equipment, and collections
• Understanding the role and functions of adult readers’ advisory services
• Learning techniques and tools for recommending resources and titles based on user interests
• Exploring the applications of reference tools and review resources in library services
• Discovering strategies for developing, promoting, and implementing collection-based library programmes

Day — 5 Youth Services

• Understanding the role of libraries in supporting the educational, informational, and recreational needs of youth
• Exploring the fundamentals of working effectively with children and young library users
• Learning strategies for developing and managing youth-focused library collections
• Exploring methods for creating, promoting, and implementing library programmes and services for youth
• Understanding techniques for providing reference and information services to young users
• Recognising the importance of guiding youth in the effective use of library materials and resources
• Reviewing best practices and key lessons learned in youth library services

Learning Outcomes

At the end of the Library Support Staff Certification (LSSC) course by Transformentors Academy, participants will be able to:

• Understand the mission, roles, and community functions of libraries and the responsibilities of library support staff
• Identify core library values, ethics, and governance principles within diverse library environments
• Communicate effectively with library users, colleagues, and stakeholders in different service settings
• Develop strategies for delivering high-quality customer service to diverse library users
• Integrate technology into library operations and assist users with information access and retrieval tools
• Understand the fundamentals of access services, including circulation and on-site resource usage
• Provide adult readers’ advisory services based on user interests and preferences
• Support youth library services through collection assistance, advisory support, and youth-focused library programmes

Who Should Attend

The Library Support Staff Certification (LSSC) course is ideal for professionals seeking to strengthen their skills and qualifications in library support services, including:

• Library Technicians
• Library Assistants
• Circulation Specialists
• Access Services Coordinators
• Resource Sharing Specialists
• Interlibrary Loan Technicians
• User Services Associates
• Collections Maintenance Technicians
• Document Delivery Specialists