Updating the core competencies

[Meg Kribble]

While working on a program proposal for next year's meeting, I was perusing the association's Core Competencies for Law Librarianship. One of them stood out:

4.7 Develops, creates, and maintains the library Web site

To my ears, that sounds hopelessly early aughts, and since so many of us are experimenting with Facebook/MySpace/Meebo/Ning/browser toolbars/etc., I would love to see that updated to replace "Web site" with "web presence."

I don't imagine the Core Competencies are updated very often, but I wanted to throw this out here to see what people think, and find out if anyone knows how one would go about formally suggesting such a change.

[Jim Milles]

Good point. I'm sure there are other areas of the Core Competencies that need updating. The AALL Continuing Professional Development Committee is charged with "work[ing] in collaboration with the AALL Education Manager to further develop and maintain the Continuing Professional Education policy and the Competencies of Law Librarianship." Maybe you could get in touch with the chair of the committee?

[Lyonette Louis-Jacques]

Yep, what Jim said. The AALL CPE Chair, Education Manager, and also the Chair of the Annual Meeting Program Committee could be contacts I think as AMPC has to implement the core competencies. They were approved in 2001. It'll have been almost 10 years by 2010 - a long time in regular and Internet years. Seems time to consider reviewing and updating them:

http://www.aallnet.org/prodev/competencies.asp

Go for it! :-) Might want to alert the CS-SIS leadership re.

[Meg Kribble]

Thanks, Jim and Lyo! Once the start-of-school-year craziness ends, I will follow those leads.

[Rita Kaiser]

I agree that the competencies should probably be updated. In fact, at our staff meeting today we were talking about "web presence" as opposed to simply our web site.

[Anne Myers]

Brainstorm away for things you'd like to see added/changed/dropped from the competencies list. I'm on the Continuing Professional Education committee and think this is something we'll be discussing this year, so your input is most welcome.

"web presence" makes a lot more sense to me. Anything else jump out at you as being outdated?

[Meg Kribble]

Okay, here are a few more:

--Replace all instances of "Web site" with the standardized "website"
--1.5 Understands the social, political, economic, and technological context in which the legal system exists
--1.15 Recognizes the value of professional networking and actively participates in professional associations and relevant online communities [I'm not sure exactly what wording would be best here, but somehow it should indicate things like blogging, Twitter, and other types of online social networking in addition to traditional professional association activities]
--4.1 Understands the practical application of creating, accessing and managing information, including databases, integrated library systems, client-server applications, hardware, software, web applications, networks, and electronic information resources
--4.2 Evaluates the need for new and evolving emerging technologyies and implements required changes

I can't remember who, but someone on Twitter suggested adding something to the effect of "monitors technology trends" to the Library Management portion. The Collection Care and Management section probably needs a going over by some forward-thinking tech services people.

I've specifically avoided using the term 2.0 anywhere, because I suspect it will seem hopelessly mid- to late-aughts in another half decade, if not sooner! :)

[John Beatty]

How about "internet presence" or "online presence" instead of "web presence?" I bring this up only because I wonder if "web presence" will seem as outdated as "Web site" soon. In any case, these are good suggestions.

[Meg Kribble]

Good thinking, John. That's much better.

John Beatty said:

How about "internet presence" or "online presence" instead of "web presence?" I bring this up only because I wonder if "web presence" will seem as outdated as "Web site" soon. In any case, these are good suggestions.

[Susanna Leers]

"1.10 Acts within the organization to implement the principles of knowledge management" . Um, which principles? Can we be more specific? Is there a webpage we could link to with "The Principles of Knowledge Management"?

Meg Kribble said:

Okay, here are a few more:

--Replace all instances of "Web site" with the standardized "website"
--1.5 Understands the social, political, economic, and technological context in which the legal system exists
--1.15 Recognizes the value of professional networking and actively participates in professional associations and relevant online communities [I'm not sure exactly what wording would be best here, but somehow it should indicate things like blogging, Twitter, and other types of online social networking in addition to traditional professional association activities]
--4.1 Understands the practical application of creating, accessing and managing information, including databases, integrated library systems, client-server applications, hardware, software, web applications, networks, and electronic information resources
--4.2 Evaluates the need for new and evolving emerging technologyies and implements required changes

I can't remember who, but someone on Twitter suggested adding something to the effect of "monitors technology trends" to the Library Management portion. The Collection Care and Management section probably needs a going over by some forward-thinking tech services people.

I've specifically avoided using the term 2.0 anywhere, because I suspect it will seem hopelessly mid- to late-aughts in another half decade, if not sooner! :)

[Julie Pabarja]

I am the AALL CPE Chair. Thanks for all your comments and suggestions. The CPE Committee and the Director of Education will be reviewing the core competencies in the upcoming months. We will be taking all these comments/suggestions into consideration. Please encourage other AALL members to share their thoughts on the competencies either in this discussion or through the CPE website.

[Meg Kribble]

Thanks, Julie!

I was looking at them again last week, and I think 2.6 could perhaps use some re-evaluating too...

2.6 Ensures the optimal use of library facilities to accommodate the evolving needs of clients and staff

I feel like this one should maybe stretch beyond facilities, but I'm not sure how. "Facilities and presence within the organization" perhaps. And the library is more than the facilities...

[Anne Myers]

Join the CPE Moderated Discussion on the Competencies of Law Librarianship

April 20-24 and April 27-May 1

The Continuing Professional Education Committee will convene a moderated discussion on the AALL Competencies of Law Librarianship, approved by the AALL Executive Board in March, 2001. The purpose is to determine whether the Competencies remain relevant or whether modifications/updates to some sections are desirable and necessary. All comments during the discussion will be considered by the CPE Committee in their review of the Competencies.

During the first week of the discussion (April 20 - 24), we will focus on Competencies 1, 2, and 3. The focus of discussion for the following week (April 27 - May 1) will be on Competencies 4, 5, and 6. This discussion will be moderated by the CPE Committee, and questions may be asked by the Committee for clarification of comments or to keep the conversation flowing.

The AALL Competencies of Law Librarianship can be found at http://www.aallnet.org/prodev/competencies.asp