Public Librarian Certification Program: Registration and Requirements

How to Register and Start the Basic Certification Program

• Sign-up for a free WebJunction account here if you do not already have one.
• Create a Niche Academy account if you do not yet have one.
  • Go to our WV Library Staff Training and Certification site on Niche Academy.
  • Click the "person" icon at the top right of the window. ()
  • Click the "Create an Account" link and proceed as directed.
• Enroll in the "Public Librarian Certification Program - Basic Certification" Pathway by clicking the "Begin" button at the top middle of the page.
  • From the time you click on "Begin," you will have two-years to complete the requirements for Basic Certification.
• Begin taking the required courses in any order.

Completing Basic Certification

Once you have completed all coursework in the "Public Librarian Certification Program - Basic Certification" Pathway, there is one final course with an activity that will submit your coursework for review. Please complete it. This lets us know you are ready to be considered for certification.

Certificates

Physical, formal certificates will be mailed out quarterly from the Library Commission. You are considered certified as soon as you complete coursework and it is approved, however, and you will be able to download a printable, temporary certificate from the Niche Academy website immediately upon completion of the program.

Fundamentals of Librarianship

• Ethics and Public Service (ABLE)

Collection Development 

• Collection Development Basics (ABLE)
• Collection Development Policy (ABLE)
• Building a Collection (ABLE)
• Collection Maintenance (ABLE)
• Weeding the Library Collection (WebJunction) 

Organization of Materials

• Introduction to Technical Services and Cataloging Records (ABLE)
• Introduction to Dewey Classification (ABLE)
• Introduction to MARC (ABLE)
• Introduction to Subject Headings (ABLE)

Management

• Library Finances (WVLC)
• Tactics for Time Management and Organizational Skills (WebJunction)
• Keeping Your Library Safe (Infopeople)
• That’s Not What I Said!: Foundations of Interpersonal Communication (WebJunction)
• Public Library Directors 101 (WebJunction)

Marketing and Advocacy

• 12 Ways to More Effective Marketing (WebJunction)

Programming and Services 

• Readers' Advisory for Genre Fiction (WebJunction)
• Reference Interview (ABLE)
• Intro to WVLC Electronic Resources (including WVInfoDepot.org)
• Customer Service 101

Technology

• DigitalLearn.org Basic: Learning and Helping Patrons with Basic Computer Skills