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Core Competencies

"Core competencies are the skills, knowledge, and personal attributes that contribute to an individual's success in a particular position."
[Giesecke, 1999]

Choose a competency:

Philosophical

Technology

Professional

Personal

Why competencies?

Philosophical Competencies

The Mission/Roles Of The Library
Know the mission and role of your library in the community and the mission of libraries in general.

Relationships Within The Library
Understand the responsibilities and relationships between the different departments of your library, such as public services, technical services, and administration.

Relationship To Other Libraries [Cooperation And Resource Sharing]
Understand that your library is part of a larger library community.

Relationship To The Community
Understand how your library serves a community.

Professional Ethics And Values
Know the ethics and values of the library profession and your organization covering such areas as: rights of access, First Amendment, intellectual freedom, and professional ethics.

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Technology Competencies

Computer Skills
Demonstrate basic skills in the use of appropriate computer software and hardware applications for library functions and services.

Audiovisual
Demonstrate basic skills in the use of appropriate audiovisual equipment for library functions and services.

Information Retrieval
Use appropriate information technology to acquire, organize, and disseminate information.

Library's Role
Understand your library's role in introducing technology and electronic resources to the community.

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Professional Competencies

Education
Seek out and participate in continuing education opportunities in order to keep skills current and broaden knowledge. Integrate new techniques and methodologies into everyday practice.

Knowledge Of Information Access
Understand how information is organized and accessed within your library.

Knowledge Of Information Scope
Know what types of materials your library owns in its collection.

Customer Service
Demonstrate a sincere commitment to customer service.

Communication
Practice effective communication skills to best determine the needs of the customer or coworker.

Collaboration
Work with others to achieve common organizational goals in a spirit of collegiality and mutual respect.

Evaluation
Be open to self-evaluation and thoughtful evaluation by superiors, peers, and customers in order to become a better employee.

Advocacy
Communicate the value of the library and information services to others, including your library's role in promoting literacy within its community or organization.

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Personal Competencies

Personal Development
Demonstrate a commitment to professional development, including continuing education and staff development activities.

Self Motivation
Demonstrate initiative and accept responsibility for your actions.

Service
Demonstrate commitment to serving the patrons of your library and the library community. Treat others with respect while addressing and meeting their needs.

Flexibility
Be willing to adapt to and participate in change. Be willing to handle a variety of tasks.

Interpersonal Skills
Build positive work relationships and partnerships at all levels within the organizational unit.

Communication
Strive to possess effective listening and questioning skills. Transmit information accurately and understandably. Actively seek constructive feedback.

Leadership
Value contributions of others. Strive to be a positive example for others to follow. Model behaviors and standards that are characterized by integrity.

Problem Solving
Collect information and draw logical conclusions. Use sound judgment in making recommendations and decisions.

Resource Management
Practice good stewardship of materials and time within your library.

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Why Develop a List of Competencies?

• The changing environment in information storage, organization and access is driving libraries to change and adapt.
• Library customers' expectations are changing.
• Library staff need and desire to be equipped to handle work and deal with change.
• Library management needs to know what is expected of the staff that they supervise and what trends will affect their libraries.
• Competencies are used for human resource planning: screening job applicants, training, development, and evaluation of employees.

The TBLC Continuing Education Committee compiled this list of core competencies during the 1999-2000 year. The committee gathered existing lists of competencies from various library organizations and consortia. The committee reviewed current job expectations from all employee levels. Common threads were examined and this list reflects competencies that should be developed in all library employees. The degree to which the competencies are developed depends upon the employee's position in the library and the function of the library.

How This List May Be Used
The TBLC Continuing Education Committee recognizes that this list contains general statements written in broad terms. The committee hopes that member libraries will further refine the individual items to suit their needs. The information contained in these items may be used to develop interview questions, evaluate employee performance, and develop continuing education programs.

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Page Content Updated 8/18/06