Newsgroups: bit.listserv.pacs-l
Date:         Mon, 4 Jan 1993 16:15:47 CDT
From:         Public-Access Computer Systems Forum <LIBPACS@UHUPVM1.BITNET>
Subject:      Why MLS--Final Postings

The following messages will be the final postings on this subject.  Thank
you for your cooperation.  --Dana Rooks, Moderator, PACS-L
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3 Messages, 91 Lines
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From: "Eric Morgan" <eric_morgan@library.lib.ncsu.edu>
Subject: Re: Re-  Why MLS?

>>>  Agreed.  There should be more opportunities for the autodidact to become
>>>  certified by examination.  In can see two paths to this:
>>>  (1)...
>>>  (2) Full membership in the profession could require passing a library
>>>  science equivalent of the bar exam.
>
>> Great idea. And to make sure they do not lose their edge, they would
>> have to take the exam again every 5 years. That would be good for
>> medical doctors and lawyers as well, and all the others.
>
>I think this is a good idea too! This is the sort of thing that weeds out the
>people who aren't committed to the profession, and requires people to keep up
>with changes in the field.
>
>Eric Lease Morgan
>NCSU Libraries

> ...What would such a test look like? Would music librarians be given the same
test as reference librarians from a public library? or an acquisitions
librarian? or a systems librarian? or a special librarian? Will SLA certify
special librarians and MLA certify music librarians?  Would such a test
accentuate current working knowledge or current library "theory"?  And how
would it "require" people to stay current?  Are you proposing such a test
include knowledge that working professionals would otherwise not need, but
would
study for re-certification?

These are the same problems all other "certifying" professions have; they could
all be answered the same way the legal, medical, and accounting professions
handle them.

Eric Lease Morgan
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From: Joan Latta Konecky <joank@unllib.unl.edu>
Subject: Re: Why MLS? - Recertification

On Mon, 21 Dec 1992, gp17 wrote:

> I find it inconceivable, however, that you can come up with some system for
> "re-certifying" library professionals.  What would such a test look like?
> Would music librarians be given the same test as reference librarians from a
> public library? or an acquisitions librarian? or a systems librarian? or a
> special librarian? (Well, you get my point...).  Will SLA certify special
> librarians and MLA certify music librarians?  Would such a test accentuate
> current working knowledge or current library "theory"?  And how would it
> "require" people to stay current?  Are you proposing such a test include
> knowledge that working professionals would otherwise not need, but would
> study for re-certification?

Actually, the MLA IS certifying librarians -- that is, the Medical Library
Association in this case.  They also have an Academy of professionals which
does require proof of continuing education...and there is a requirement for
"re-certification".  The certification program may have been supplanted by
the Academy program which is approximately 4 years old.

I am no longer working in a medical library and am no longer an MLA member
so my explanation is necessarily general.  I'm hoping a current MLA member
will read this and provide a better explanation of this unique program.
This type of program probably wouldn't work for some areas, but it is an
interesting attempt to do just what has been discussed, IMHO.

 Joan Latta Konecky                     Internet: joank@unllib.unl.edu
 Computer Search Coordinator            Phone:    402-472-2519
 University of Nebraska-Lincoln         FAX:      402-472-5131
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From: kclelan1@cc.swarthmore.edu
Subject: Re: Re:  Why MLS?

>>>>  Agreed.  There should be more opportunities for the autodidact to become
>>>>  certified by examination.  In can see two paths to this:
>>>>  (1)...
>>>>  (2) Full membership in the profession could require passing a library
>>>>  science equivalent of the bar exam.

Hey, folks, remember the smiley that accompanied the original??? :>) ???

Kate Cleland
Social Sciences & Documents
McCabe Library
Swarthmore College
500 College Ave.
Swarthmore, PA 19081
(215) 328-8503
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