Competency based assessment is a system for assessing a person's knowledge and skills. 
Assessment is based on actual skills and knowledge a person can demonstrate in the workplace or in other relevant contexts.  Competency based assessment is also a system 
for providing portable qualifications against nationally recognised competency standards. 
In a competency based assessment system, it is recognised that learning can 
come from a variety of sources, both on the job and off the job, formal and informal. 
Recognition is given for prior learning and for skills and knowledge which can already be shown.
**Above is Quoted from: http://www.productivesolutions.com.au/Services/jobcomp.htm

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Websites:

Developing Competencies Worksheet
Publisher: The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Copyright: Copyright 2003 - The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Description: Different staff people need different skills.
This worksheet helps organize the areas of expertise needed by your library staff
http://tinyurl.com/ytsmx

Book:
Staff Development: A Practical Guide, Third Edition
Avery, Elizabeth Fuseler, Terry Dahlin, and Deborah A. Carver
Chapter 10: PDF document
"Core Competencies for Libraries and Library Staff" by Beth McNeil and Joan Giesecke
Features a list of core competencies developed at University of Nebraska–Lincoln University Libraries. 

Core Competencies for Libraries
http://www.lgi.org/Publications/Core-Competencies.htm
CORE COMPETENCIES LIBRARY SYSTEMS ON CD (Microsoft WordTM Document Files). 
ISBN 0-927-160-22-6.  © 2002. 
Integrate with model Job Descriptions for Library Systems or use separately.  Price: $99.00. 
Note: You can also purchase any individual core competencies by job title shown on the list below. 
The cost is $3.95 each ($15 min. order). They will be sent to you by email.
http://www.lgi.org/Publications/Core-Competencies.htm

List of Minimum Competencies for the Staff
Competencies include: general, telecommunications 
(fax, phone, e-mail), word processing, Internet and Web, and public services. 
http://personalweb.smcvt.edu/mscoville/staff%20comp.htm

Rochester Regional Library Council
Technology Competency for Library Staff
http://www.rrlc.org/competencies/techcomp.html

The State Library of North Carolina  | Competencies in Technology
August 2003
PDF
http://statelibrary.dcr.state.nc.us/ce/competencies.pdf

Technology | Competencies for Library Staff
 Fall 1998
http://www.oaklandlibrary.org/techcomp.htm

Tampa Bay Library Consortium | Core Competencies
Quote from page:
"Core competencies are the skills, knowledge, and personal attributes that
contribute to an individual's success in a particular position."
[Giesecke, 1999] 
http://www.tblc.org/training/competencies.shtml

Connecticut Library Association
LTA Competencies 
Compiled by the Connecticut Library Association Support Staff Section 
Endorsed by the CLA Executive Board August 16, 2001
http://cla.uconn.edu/archive/class.html

Related: Read a reprint from Library Mosaics Nov/Dec 2002 issue
Competencies & Certification - Where the Profession Stands
by Sandy Brooks - article notes the competencies of the Connecticut LTAs
PDF document :  http://www.ala-apa.org/newsletter/vol1no2/support_staff.pdf
 

Performance Competencies for Administrative Support Staff
http://www.multcolib.org/train/PerfManagement/ AdministrativeSupportStaffCompetencies.htm

The Library Network (TLN) Technology Committee
Basic Computer Equipment Competencies
http://www.northville.lib.mi.us/tech/finalbasic.htm

Performance Competencies for Library Pages
*MS Word document*
http://www.multcolib.org/train/PerfManagement/PageComps.doc

Essential Competencies for Library Technician (from National Park Service)
http://www.nps.gov/training/npsonly/INF/t-librtc.htm#I1

Reference Competencies
http://www.arrowhead.lib.mn.us/renewal/reference.htm

Related: see the Reference Training , Reference Interview resource pages

UCLA
Digital Reference Competencies
http://www.library.ucla.edu/digref/competencies.htm

Competencies for Teacher Librarians (from Association for Teacher Librarianship in Canada)
http://www.atlc.ca/competen.htm

Adult Literacy and Basic Education Teacher Technology Competencies v2.1
| April, 2000
http://www.alri.org/maltt/abecomps.html

Public Library Director (Iowa) / Library Staff Competencies
PDF document
http://www.silo.lib.ia.us/for-ia-libraries/continuing-ed/competencies.pdf

Top Management Team Competencies for Public Libraries 
http://www.arrowhead.lib.mn.us/renewal/top.htm

Competencies for Special Librarians in 21st Century
http://www.sla.org/content/SLA/professional/meaning/competency.cfm

Core Competencies & Music Librarians
PDF
http://www.musiclibraryassoc.org/pdf/Core_Competencies.pdf

Staff Use of Technology
1999-2000 Self-Evaluation Rubrics
Bellingham Public Schools
http://www.bham.wednet.edu/tcomp.htm

American Library Association.  Association for Library Service to Children.
ALSC Competencies 1999. http://www.ala.org/alsc/competencies.html [6
December
2000]

Bibliography
Core Competencies in the Library Professions
PDF
http://www.uflib.ufl.edu/afa/pdc/BIBLIOGRAPHY_CORECOMPS.pdf

Anon.  Competencies for Librarians Serving Young Adults. Teacher
Librarian 27
no. 4 (April 2000):64-7.

Qualities and Competencies for Staffing an Effective Library Media Program 
http://www.wlma.org/Professional/jobdescriptions.htm

Core Competencies for the Information Services: 
Library Paraprofessional 
Associate Degree Program at Belmont Technical College 
 The Three Core Competency Areas

• TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE 
• INFORMATION LITERACY 
• COMMUNICATION 

Minnesota Voluntary Library Certification Program.  Competencies: Level
One.
http://www.arrowhead.lib.mn.us/certification/comp.htm . [21 March
2001]

Oakland Public Library.  Technology Competencies for Library Staff.  Fall
1998. http://www.oaklandlibrary.org/techcomp.htm [6 December 2000]

Rochester Regional Library Council
Technology Competencies for Library Staff
http://www.rrlc.org/competencies/techcomp.html

Connecticut Library Association | LTA Competencies
Compiled by the Connecticut Library Association Support Staff Section
Endorsed by the CLA Executive Board August 16, 2001
http://cla.uconn.edu/archive/class.html

Qualities and Competencies for Staffing an Effective Library Media Program
http://www.wlma.org/Professional/jobdescriptions.htm
 

Core Competencies In University Libraries,
University of Nebraska-Lincoln (**MS Word Document)
http://www.library.yale.edu/training/stod/corecompetencies.doc

Core Competencies for Librarians – New Jersey Library Association
http://www.njla.org/resources/competencies.html

Technical Competencies for Librarians – New Jersey Library Association
http://www.njla.org/resources/techcompetencies.html

University of Maryland
Selected Webliography of Technical Services Core Competency Resources
http://www.lib.umd.edu/TSD/itt_final_appD.html

Reference and Information Services Competencies
http://www.njla.org/resources/refincomp.html

Professional Competencies for Reference and User Services Librarians
RUSA Reference Guidelines

University of  Southern Florida
Quoted from web site:
Information Technology Competency Series
The ongoing development of electronic competencies of Smathers Libraries staff is a high priority. Learning technology skills and acquiring knowledge in appropriate areas is vital in keeping library staff informed and effective in performing job tasks. The Staff Development Committee has defined three levels of information technology competencies. 
http://www.uflib.ufl.edu/pers/training/traininginfo1.htm
 

Upper Hudson Library System
Excerpt quoted from website: 
Core Competencies
The continuing explosion of technological change forces existing staff to continually upgrade their technical skills. We've changed from the idea of "one skill, one job" to the reality of many skills in many jobs. Library staff must possess skills that they continually upgrade just to keep pace in their profession. Maintaining skills to keep pace with changing technology has been identified as a critical goal. Knowledge requirements are expanding to encompass a greater breadth of technologies and expertise, as well as communication skills.
http://www.uhls.org/training/competencies.html

Core Competencies for Public and Technical Services Staff When Implementing
and Using INNOPAC as an Integrated Library System
http://unofficial.umkc.edu/greenlg/core/comp.htm

Internet Core Competencies – Durham County (NC) Library
http://sunsite.berkeley.edu/PubLib/durham.htm

Competencies Needed by Public Library Staff (PDF document - You'll need Adobe Acrobat reader to open)
http://www.bertelsmann-stiftung.de/documents/Competencies.pdf

Core Competencies - for Law Library Support Staff
http://users.law.capital.edu/ppost/Core/CoreCompetencies.htm

University of Connecticut School of Law | Library Staff Competencies 
PDF
http://www.law.uconn.edu/library/libinfo/corecomp.pdf

Legal Libraries - Core Competencies in Libraries (links to resource sites)
http://www.jenkinslaw.org/researchlinks/index.php?rl=194

Library instruction compentency
http://www.hern.hawaii.edu/hern96/pt061/compten.htm

Management and Staff Issues in the Hybrid Library
http://hylife.unn.ac.uk/toolkit/Mgt_and_staff.html

Skills and Competencies for the Information Worker in the Digital Age
Abstract of Seminar
http://www.nlc-bnc.ca/cfl-cbgf/liaison/1999/99-1/04e.htm

Draft Core Competencies/ Depository library managers
http://www.missouri.edu/~govdocs/fdlp/ewgmaster.rtf

The Commission on Learning Resources and Instructional Technology (CLRIT)
Information Competencies : Final Report
http://www.calstate.edu/tier3/AcadSen/issues/ic.html

Part of the report states:
The skills or competencies needed to meet knowledge workers skills today 
and in the future for area firms. In developing the list, 
participants identified several challenges to their task:
Skills, defined as measurable, observable behavior that can be learned, 
and competency, a measure of how well you use skills and ability, are not synonymous.
While many jobs require the same skills, the competency in the skill 
will vary according to the job.
Where and when do you start training individuals for skills/competencies needed?
How should competency resources be evaluated?
Retraining is a key problem.
Maintaining flexibility is important.

Together the group developed the following list of skills/competencies 
needed by knowledge workers:

• Communication – verbal and written
• Adaptability and change management
• Creative thinking and innovation
• Ability to learn
• Problem solving
• Planning and scheduling time appropriately
• Management and leadership
• Positive attitude and commitment
• Negotiation and conflict management
• Stress management for a dynamic environment

Participants were less concerned about specific TQ level or skills, 
recognizing that those would be constantly changing as technology changed. 
The belief is that any worker with these competencies – at all levels – 
could then pick up whatever specific TQ is needed to fill an employer's needs.
It was also agreed that these competencies were the core list for the future of most companies. 
In addition to the core competencies, participants identified additional issues
that will have to be addressed: workers must be able to adapt to 
rapid technology changes and be willing to seek retraining (continuous learning), as needed
every worker needs some level of TQ, but the amount and 
type will differ according to their job responsibilities
systemic barriers to producing workers with these 
core competencies must be addressed first
all levels of information technology workers: creator, provider and user
workers must have an opportunity to practice the skills/competencies to create 
a solid foundation create ways to help workers keep skills and competencies 
current organizations using knowledge workers must clearly 
understand their current and future needs before committing resources for worker training
continuous interaction between core skills/competencies and the TQ needed.

Competencies for Special Librarians of the 21st Century
Quoted from site:
www.sla.org/conf/pcp/prodev.htm
Competencies are defined as the interplay of knowledge, understanding, skills, and attitudes required to do a job effectively from the point of view of the performer and the observer. These include both professional and personal competencies. This set of knowledge and skills unique to special librarians allows us to function in a variety of environments to produce a continuum of value-added, customized information services that cannot be easily duplicated by others.
www.sla.org/conf/pcp/prodev.htm

Quoted from this website:
http://quicktestinc.com/asp/jobcomp.htm
What is Job Competency?
According to Dennis J. Kravetz in his article "Building a Job Competency Database: What the
Leaders Do": The leading companies might describe a job competency as "a series of behaviors or
actions that make up a portion of a job." Notice the emphasis on behavior and doing rather than
passive knowledge of a subject. Also notice that a competency is not an entire job-- usually there
are several competencies for each position. A competency is what a successful employee must be
able to do to accomplish desired results on a job. Entry level employees, by contrast, might
bring knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs), into the job but has not yet developed the job
competencies. Development and experience are needed to become competent.

Read complete article http://quicktestinc.com/asp/jobcomp.htm
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

***Read Example of  Core Competencies on page 3****

From whatis.com
core competency

A core competency is fundamental knowledge, ability, or expertise in a specific subject area or skill set. For example, an individual who becomes certified as a Microsoft Certified Software Engineer (MCSE) is said to have a core competency in certain Microsoft systems and networks. Companies with specific strengths in the marketplace, such as data storage or the development of accounting applications, can be said to have a core competency in that area. The core part of the term indicates that the individual has a strong basis from which to gain the additional competence to do a specific job or that a company has a strong basis from which to develop additional products. 

Book
The Practical Library Manager
Bruce E. Massis, MLS, MA
Associate Director, Southeast Florida Library Information Network (SEFLIN), Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Hard Cover ISBN: 0-7890-1765-2  ;  Soft Cover ISBN: 0-7890-1766-0
Contents:
    * Acknowledgments
    * Introduction
    * Chapter 1. The Challenge of Staffing
    * Chapter 2. The Impact of Technology on Library Staff
    * Chapter 3. Building Core Competencies for Library Staff
    * Chapter 4. Obstructions and Opportunities of Planning and Implementing a Training Program for Library Staff
    * Chapter 5. Creating and Implementing a Technology Training Program for Library Staff
    * Chapter 6. Evaluating a Technology Training Program for Library Staff
    * Chapter 7. Clicks and Bricks
    * Chapter 8. The Challenge of the Virtual Library
    * Chapter 9. The Library Consortium
    * Chapter 10. Practical Library Development
    * Chapter 11. A Dynamic Dozen: Management Classics for the Twenty-First Century Library Manager
    * Appendix A. ALA-Accredited Library schools
    * Appendix B. Surveys
    * Notes
    * Bibliography: A Practical Resource for the Library Manager
    * Index
    * Reference Notes Included 
Date Published: 2003
 

Book:
Staff Development: A Practical Guide, Third Edition
Avery, Elizabeth Fuseler, Terry Dahlin, and Deborah A. Carver
Chapter 10: PDF document
"Core Competencies for Libraries and Library Staff" by Beth McNeil and Joan Giesecke
Features a list of core competencies developed at University of Nebraska–Lincoln University Libraries. 
 
 

Article: Information Highways
Information fatigue 
An Rx 
by Stephen Abram
Overload, drowning, glut, fatigue, asphyxiation, avalanche, tidal wave, 
tsunami, burnout, garbage, overdose, bog, anxiety, deluge; 
all terms commonly associated with information and data today.
http://www.informationhighways.net/mag/mprevious/00aug01.html

Information Outlook Article:
Qualification Management in Information Services: My Grand Design.(Brief Article)
Author/s: Guy St.Clair
Issue: June, 2000
How Can We Hire and Retain Good Information Workers in Today's Marketplace?
http://www.findarticles.com/cf_0/m0FWE/6_4/63600472/print.jhtml

Knowledge  Worker Competency Skills
The Knowledge Worker- Details
http://www.alice.pangea.ca/~dayre/kwork.html

Competency Skills
http://www.alice.pangea.ca/~dayre/competent.html
These skills are more closely related to what we do at work: 
Information Skills- using a computer for processing information; ie) acquiring and evaluating , organizing and maintainig, interpreting and communicating information. 
System and Process Skills- understanding systems, correcting performance, improving and designing systems. 
Technology Utilization Skills- selecting technology, applying it to a task.
Interpersonal Skills- negotiating, exercising leadership, working with diversity, teaching others new skills, servicing clients and customers, participating as a team member.

Core Competencies: Suggested Readings
http://www.nlc-bnc.ca/cfl-cbgf/core_e.htm

Workforce Education
Beyond Technical Skills
http://www.ericacve.org/docs/tia00069.htm

Smartforce Training
Overview of Skillsets (courses offered) for Knowledge Workers
http://209.217.34.72/b/overview.html

Article Abstract: ELIS - A   v. 15 no. 1  May 1998
http://www.alia.org.au/sections/eliss/elisa/15.1/
The remaking of librarians in the knowledge era: skills to meet future requirements
Marion Nicolson
Abstract ...In order to determine the skills that will be required by librarians in the knowledge era, the existing nature of library employment and work should firstly be examined. 
The certainties of the postwar era such as standard working hours, the dominance of full-time employment, secure middle-income jobs, and standard roles, have collapsed....

...So what is knowledge management? It is the latest management trend following on from the learning organisation, process re-engineering, benchmarking and strategic partnerships. It is the solution to the recognition that most organisations are knowledge or information intensive...

...Knowledge management is not about managing or organising books or journals, searching the Internet for clients or arranging the circulation of materials. However, each of these activities can in some way be part of the knowledge management spectrum and process (Broadbent 1997)....

AND

The linking of knowledge and skills to changing work practices
Angela Bridgland
Abstract ...The fourth and final theme of the forum, addresses changing work practices and then comments on the knowledge, attributes and skills necessary to prepare not only recent library and information skills graduates for the workplace but also on the knowledge, attributes and skills necessary for established employees to progress through their careers. Lifelong learning is a reality in an industry which is subject to continuous change. Thus, relevant, high quality staff development and continuing professional education is as essential as relevant, high quality pre-service education. The paper concludes with challenges which need to be addressed by library educators, library managers and library employees if education and training for the profession is to lead it into the 21st century... 

Core Competencies for Public and Technical Services Staff
When Implementing and Using INNOPAC as an Integrated Library System
http://unofficial.umkc.edu/greenlg/core/
 
 

Look for other articles on Skills and Competencies, Staff Development:
Index of Librarian Career Development
http://bubl.ac.uk/journals/lis/kn/lcd/index.html
Librarian Career Development
http://bubl.ac.uk/journals/lis/kn/lcd/v05n0197.htm
ISSN: 0968-0810
Index
Volume 5 Number 1
1997

Contents
 Effects of Local Government Reorganization on Senior Library Management
 Emerging Public Librarian Roles and Skills: a Literature Review
 Enhancing Career and Leadership Opportunities in LIS Through Professional Communication
 Training and Development for Library and Information Workers for the Future: a Manifesto
 Training Librarians and Information Specialists to Support Academic Staff Using Networks

Effects of Local Government Reorganization on Senior Library Management
by Ian Malley
Abstract
Conjecture over the past few years on the negative impact of local government reorganization on public library staff at the most senior level (Malley, 1993 et al.), is now being supported by evidence emerging from the local authorities which have been reorganized. Recent research on Wales (Matrix Library Management, 1996) and brief reports on Scotland (MacNaughtan, 1996, and Morrow, 1996) confirm that both library departments and the most senior librarian positions in these departments have been considerably downgraded in the re-structuring programmes that have accompanied the reorganization process. Outlines the finding of this research. Reflects on the consequences of these developments.
 

Emerging Public Librarian Roles and Skills: a Literature Review
by Leif Kajberg
Abstract
As public libraries in Europe change to meet the challenges of the Millennium, so must the professional staff who operate them. The implications of the changes in current public library functions and services for future professional roles and identities are examined, based on a review of a selection of recent professional literature. Appropriate skills for the public librarian of the future are discussed. Skills required span such broad areas as management, communication, handling interpersonal relations in the workplace, information technology, networking and interpreting and synthesizing information, e.g. customizing information products. Subject expertise for specialized information provision and advanced reference services may be called for as well. Emerging professional roles for public librarians are considered , including such job labels as the net navigator, the educator, the information consultant, the gatekeeper, the electronic intermediary, the community network administrator and the social information worker. Finally, attention is given to the need for initiatives and catalytic efforts in the European arena for the purpose of upgrading continuing professional education for public librarians and facilitating knowledge exchange and sharing of experience.
 

Enhancing Career and Leadership Opportunities in LIS Through Professional Communication
by Norman G. Kester
Abstract
The librarian-writer recounts through his personal narrative why writing for publication should be an important aspect of professional performance and leadership for librarians in all libraries, and how professional communication creates even greater opportunities and rewards in developing professionally - from getting published in library journals, to monographs, to undertaking the editing of an international collection of coming out stories and research by gay, lesbian and bisexual librarians. The methods by which the researcher decides to write for publication are also examined.
 

Training and Development for Library and Information Workers for the Future: a Manifesto
by Philip Barden
Abstract
Examines the competencies which will be required by the information worker of the twenty-first century. Emphasis is placed on those new technology skills which are constitutive of the information industries of the future. The paper challenges the assumption that there will always be a role for the information professional. It is argued that unless the profession proactively pursues added-value activities based on new technologies it will become superfluous.
 

Training Librarians and Information Specialists to Support Academic Staff Using Networks
by Kay Flatten
Abstract
Libraries and learning resource centres occupy unique positions in campus networked information services. Managers and staff in academic libraries are in transition. Their roles as information specialists may not change; however, their methods of delivery will. Strategic planners recognize the impending culture change. How this culture change will affect academic libraries remains unclear (Fielden, 1996). The Joint Information Systems Committee of the HEFCs funded the Electronic Libraries Programme (eLib) to study culture change in academic libraries. TAPin is a West Midlands based consortium of six diverse universities committed to a three year study of their library services from training library staff in Internet skills to the delivery of support to Education, Law and Life Sciences academic staff. Provides a description of the training programme for librarians. This article and others reporting results from the research can be located at TAPin's home page at http://www.uce.ac.uk/tapin/tapin.htm
 

Information Competence in the Professions
At Your Fingertips
http://library.humboldt.edu/~ccm/fingertips/no_frames.html

Book:
The Guide to Competencies for European Professionals in Library and Information Services
http://www.aslib.co.uk/pubs/2001/18/02.html

WebJunction resources:

Developing a Training Program
Information on determining the learning and training needs in your library.
http://webjunction.org/do/Navigation?category=39
 
 

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• Page 3 - Example of Core Competencies for Library Staff
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