4 days ago
CVTC to start new Library Director diploma program in the fall
EAU CLAIRE — A new technical diploma at Chippewa Valley Technical College looks to certify people looking to become library directors.
The Library Director program is a one-year, 12-credit technical diploma for those who already have at least 54 college credits and need only a few courses to be eligible for a library director position.
Jennifer Cook, Library and Information Services Program Director at CVTC, said, 'Since we started the library program, we have had a number of students who already have degrees or some college credits and have found themselves in the role of library director.
'The Library Director diploma consists of four classes that the Wisconsin Department of Instruction have determined library directors will need in order to be a director in a small public library. The classes include: Basic and Advanced Library Administration, Outreach and Community Services and Managing and Organizing Collections. The classes can be taken over the course of a year, two in the fall and two in the spring.'
Online courses of the technical diploma would bring a grade III certification, which Cook said refers to libraries serving a population of 3,000 people or less. Grade II and I certifications would allow those to operate at libraries serving larger populations.
With the introduction of a new program, all technical colleges go through a process of getting approval by the Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS) and the WTCS state board.
'We have to show them the need for the program, the strength of the program and the market demand for such a program,' Cook said. 'Because we went through this process when we created the Library and Information Services and could track how many students came to the college for these four classes we were able to show the need for the new certificate.'
CVTC's new program is expected to start in the fall, as applications are currently open.
'Small libraries in the state of Wisconsin are truly centers of their community,' Cook said. 'This program will help students who live and work in these small communities serve their communities. Libraries need to be flexible, advocate for their communities and be a place where all community members are welcomed with open arms. Our students come out of the program prepared to do all of these things, and are ready to serve their communities in the best way possible.
'My hope is that we build strong community spaces with library directors who are trusted by their community and community members. Libraries have always been part of the state of Wisconsin and I am excited that the students I work with are in the position to keep that tradition alive. I have graduated so many students that will be great library directors and library workers, and I know any community would be lucky to have them.'
