How to use the Competencies

1. How to connect competencies to your learning
2. Description of the Competency Index

For more information on competencies in the library field, visit the Competencies topic area in the Training & Development section.

How to connect competencies to your learning

In this interface, each competency statement is associated with WebJunction courses and related resources that will help fill the skills and knowledge gaps needed to build competency in a given area.

Click a top level category to expand the sub-categories.

• Click on a sub-category to expand it and see the associated competency statements.
  • Each sub-category has a brief description.
  • Click on an expanded category to collapse the view.

• For a given competency, click the Details & Learning button to view:
  • More detailed information about the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and behavior involved in achieving the competency.
  • The Related Courses and Related Resources available on WebJunction to help you achieve the competency.
• For Related Courses:
  • Click each title to see details about the course.
  • To enroll, you must be signed in as a WebJunction member. If you are not yet a member, first create your free account.
  • Click the Add to Cart button, either from the course details page or the competency details page. If you are not signed in, the button will read Please Sign In.
• For Related Resources:
  • Click the title to go directly to the resource on WebJunction.
  • It is not necessary to be signed in as a member to view the resources on WebJunction.

Description of the Competency Index

The Competency Index is a compilation of competency statements that address a broad spectrum of library practice and service. Our team reviewed competency sets from many library organizations, aggregated and synthesized them into the Index, and then subjected them to subject matter expert review.

Given the variety of library size and organizational structures, we have not attempted to combine competencies into work roles and classifications. Instead, we offer a menu of categories and competencies from which an individual or library can select and combine to meet their particular needs and structures.

We have integrated four top-level categories of the Index with the WebJunction catalog: Library Management, Personal/Interpersonal, Technology: Core Skills , and Technology: Systems & IT. Each top-level category is divided into sub-categories, with specific competency statements listed under each sub-category.

In the two technology sections, the Core Skills competencies address skills that all staff need for today's "wired" work environment. Systems & IT competencies address the various complex technology systems that drive library operations. We expect to publish the full Index as a WebJunction publication soon.

Tell us what you think

Knowing that nothing is static in the learning world, this is intended to be a living document, subject to change as needed. Your comments are always welcome. Please send feedback to info@webjunction.org.