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Texas Public Library Standards

Personnel Standards

The most important component of quality library service is a knowledgeable and experienced library staff committed to providing the highest possible level of service to their community. Staffing begins with the Library Director. The most meaningful measure of staff level incorporates both population served and total service hours resulting in hours open per full-time equivalent (FTE) staff. The formula for deriving the ratio for an individual library is total hours open divided by total FTE's both items are reported in the TSLAC Annual Report. As number of hours open or number of staff increases, this ratio will change. Other staff is added as needed and as funding allows. All staff members should:

  • Project an image of competence and courtesy to the public they serve
  • Have an understanding of the history and development of library services
  • Know the service goals of the library and be aware of all library policies
  • Be well-trained in the best practices and procedures required by their position
  • Training and continuing education hours which can be fulfilled with distance learning, video conferencing workshops and seminars held in-house
  • Participate in community-based organizations through membership and active participation
  • Have salaries, hours, and benefits comparable with other positions of the funding entities requiring similar educational preparation and job assignments.

Planning and providing quality library services demands not only traditional bibliographic skills, but also the ability to:

  • Assess needs
  • Set objectives as well as evaluate and measure the effectiveness of public library programs
  • Select materials and provide guidance in the use of all library resources
  • Work within the political and social structures of the community
  • Communicate and work effectively with board members and staff
  • Make use of current and emerging technologies for information and communication
  • Manage financial resources
  • Manage fundraising, including grants, gifts, endowments, etc.
  • Manage human resources
  • Provide continuing education hours

In the interest of safety and security libraries should ensure that at least 2 staff/volunteers are in the library during open hours.

Population Basic Enhanced Comprehensive
1-4,999 Education requirements for the Director: Education requirements for the Director: Education requirements for the Director:

High school (diploma or GED) plus 1 year library work experience

OR

60 semester hours of college credit from an accredited college or university;

AND

Completion of Small Library Management Training or an online alternative within 3 years of hire or school certification in library science

High school (diploma or GED) plus 3 years library work experience

OR

90 semester hours of college credit from an accredited college or university;

AND

Completion of Small Library Management Training or an online alternative within 3 years of hire or school certification in library science

Bachelor’s degree and 3 years of library work experience

AND

completion of Small Library Management Training or an online alternative within 3 years of hire or school certification in library science

 
Training Training Training
Director: Minimum 10 hours per year total or 3 hours of college credit per year. Director: Minimum 15 hours per year total or 3 hours of college credit per year. Director: Minimum 15 hours per year total or 3 hours of college credit per year.
Staff: At least one training program for all other staff per year. Staff: At least one training program for all other staff per year. Staff: At least one training program for all other staff per year.
5,000-9,999 Education requirements for the Director: Education requirements for the Director: Education requirements for the Director:

High school (diploma or GED) plus 2 years of library work experience

OR

60 semester hours of college credit from an accredited college or university;

AND

Completion of Small Library Management Training or an online alternative within 3 years of hire or school certification in library science

High school (diploma or GED) plus 3 years library work experience

OR

96 semester hours of college credit from an accredited college or university;

AND

Completion of Small Library Management Training or an online alternative within 3 years of hire or school certification in library science

OR

18 graduate library science hours.

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university plus 3 years of library experience

AND

Completion of Small Library Management Training or an online alternative within 3 years of hire or school certification in library science

OR

Graduate degree in library and information studies from a program accredited by ALA
Training Training Training
Director: Minimum 10 hours per year total or 3 hours of college credit per year. Director: Minimum 15 hours per year total or 3 hours of college credit per year. Director: Minimum 15 hours per year total or 3 hours of college credit per year.
Staff: At least one training program for all other staff per year. Staff: At least one training program for all other staff per year. Staff: At least one training program for all other staff per year.
10,000-24,999 Education requirements for the Director: Education requirements for the Director: Education requirements for the Director:

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university plus 2 years of library work experience

AND

Completion of Small Library Management Training or an online alternative within 3 years of hire or school certification in library science

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university plus 3 years of library work experience

AND

Completion of Small Library Management Training or an online alternative within 3 years of hire or school certification in library science

OR

Graduate degree in library and information studies from a program accredited by ALA

Graduate degree in library and information studies from program accredited by ALA

AND

5 years library administrative experience.
Staff Requirements Staff Requirements Staff Requirements
Have 1 FTE per 5,000 population Have 1 FTE per 4,200 population Have 1 FTE per 3,500 population
    Have at least 1 ALA Accredited MLS Librarian
Training Training Training
Director: Minimum 15 hours per year total or 3 hours of college credit per year. Director: Minimum 20 hours per year total or 3 hours of college credit per year. Director: Minimum 20 hours per year total or 3 hours of college credit per year.
Staff: At least one training program for all staff per year. Staff: At least one training program for all staff per year. Staff: At least one training program for all staff per year.
25,000-49,999 Education requirements for the Director: Education requirements for the Director: Education requirements for the Director:

Graduate degree in library and information studies from program accredited by ALA

AND

5 years library administrative experience.

Graduate degree in library and information studies from program accredited by ALA

AND

5 years library administrative experience.

Graduate degree in library and information studies from program accredited by ALA

AND

5 years library administrative experience.
Staff Requirements Staff Requirements Staff Requirements
Have one FTE per 5,000 population Have one FTE per 4,200 populations Have one FTE per 3,500 population
Have at least 1 ALA Accredited MLS Librarian Have at least 1 ALA Accredited MLS Librarian Have at least 2 ALA Accredited MLS Librarians
Training Training Training
Director: Minimum 15 hours per year total or 3 hours of college credit per year. Director: Minimum 20 hours per year total or 3 hours of college credit per year. Director: Minimum 20 hours per year total or 3 hours of college credit per year.
Staff: At least 1 training program for all other staff per year. Staff: At least 1 training program for all other staff per year. Staff: At least 1 training program for all other staff per year.
50,000-99,999 Education requirements for the Director: Education requirements for the Director: Education requirements for the Director:

Graduate degree in library and information studies from program accredited by ALA

AND

5 years library administrative experience.

Graduate degree in library and information studies from program accredited by ALA

AND

5 years library administrative experience.

Graduate degree in library and information studies from program accredited by ALA

AND

5 years library administrative experience.
Staff Requirements Staff Requirements Staff Requirements
Have one FTE per 5,000 population Have one FTE per 4,200 populations Have one FTE per 3,500 population
Have at least 2 ALA Accredited MLS Librarians Have at least 3 ALA Accredited MLS Librarians Have at least 4 ALA Accredited MLS Librarians
Training Training Training
Director: Minimum 20 hours per year total or 3 hours of college credit per year. Director: Minimum 20 hours per year total or 3 hours of college credit per year. Director: Minimum 20 hours per year total or 3 hours of college credit per year.
Staff: At least 1 training program for all other staff per year. Staff: At least 1 training program for all other staff per year. Staff: At least 1 training program for all other staff per year.
100,000-199,999 Education requirements for the Director: Education requirements for the Director: Education requirements for the Director:

Graduate degree in library and information studies from program accredited by ALA

AND

5 years library administrative experience.

Graduate degree in library and information studies from program accredited by ALA

AND

5 years library administrative experience.

Graduate degree in library and information studies from program accredited by ALA

AND

5 years library administrative experience.
Staff Requirements Staff Requirements Staff Requirements
Have one FTE per 4,200 populations Have one FTE per 3,500 population Have one FTE per 3,000 population
Have 1 MLS accredited Librarian per 12,500 population Have 1 MLS accredited Librarian per 10,000 population Have 1 MLS accredited Librarian per 8,000 population
Training Training Training
Director: Minimum 20 hours per year total or 3 hours of college credit per year. Director: Minimum 20 hours per year total or 3 hours of college credit per year. Director: Minimum 20 hours per year total or 3 hours of college credit per year.
Staff: At least 1 training program for all other staff per year. Staff: At least 1 training program for all other staff per year. Staff: At least 1 training program for all other staff per year.
200,000-499,999 Education requirements for the Director: Education requirements for the Director: Education requirements for the Director:

Graduate degree in library and information studies from program accredited by ALA

AND

5 years library administrative experience.

Graduate degree in library and information studies from program accredited by ALA

AND

5 years library administrative experience.

Graduate degree in library and information studies from program accredited by ALA

AND

5 years library administrative experience.
Staff Requirements Staff Requirements Staff Requirements
Have one FTE per 2,750 populations Have one FTE per 2,500 population Have one FTE per 2,250 population
Have 1 MLS accredited Librarian per 16,500 population Have 1 MLS accredited Librarian per 12,500 population Have 1 MLS accredited Librarian per 10,000 population
Training Training Training
Director: Minimum 25 hours per year total or 6 hours of college credit per year. Director: Minimum 25 hours per year total or 6 hours of college credit per year. Director: Minimum 25 hours per year total or 6 hours of college credit per year.
Staff: At least 1 training program for all other staff per year. Staff: At least 1 training program for all other staff per year. Staff: At least 1 training program for all other staff per year.
over 500,000 Education requirements for the Director: Education requirements for the Director: Education requirements for the Director:

Graduate degree in library and information studies from program accredited by ALA

AND

5 years library administrative experience.

Graduate degree in library and information studies from program accredited by ALA

AND

5 years library administrative experience.

Graduate degree in library and information studies from program accredited by ALA

AND

5 years library administrative experience.
Staff Requirements Staff Requirements Staff Requirements
Have at least 10 people in the Library during open hours Have at least 10 people in the Library during open hours Have at least 10 people in the Library during open hours
Have 1 MLS accredited Librarian per 16,500 population Have 1 MLS accredited Librarian per 12,500 population Have 1 MLS accredited Librarian per 10,000 population
Training Training Training
Director: Minimum 30 hours per year total or 9 hours of college credit per year. Director: Minimum 30 hours per year total or 9 hours of college credit per year. Director: Minimum 30 hours per year total or 9 hours of college credit per year.
Staff: At least 2 training programs for all other staff per year. Staff: At least 2 training programs for all other staff per year. Staff: At least 2 training programs for all other staff per year.

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