PARAlibrarian Recognition of Achievement - Update
Three Massachusetts paralibrarians received the very first PAralibrarian Recognition of Achievement (PARA) at the MLA Annual Meeting held at WPI on May 8th. The PARA requires submission of extensive documentation to demonstrate involvement in professional development activities, and commitment to a library career. Elizabeth Goodrich, Interlibrary Loan Associate, and Elenore McGourty, Periodical Serials Associate, both from Worcester Polytechnic Institute, received Level I PARAs (with 208.5 and 209 points earned, respectively). Allison DaSilva, Senior Library Associate, Technical Services Department, of the Reading Public Library, received a Level II PARA (for 353.5 points earned). To learn more about the PARA, contacts, guidelines, and how to apply, please read on.
About the PARA Program
At the MLA Fall Conference: 21st Century Literacies, the building was cold and drafty, but warmth and excitement were generated by representatives of the MLA Paralibrarian Section, who hosted an information table to introduce a new program. They handed out flyers and explained to people about the PARA. Here are some of the questions asked and answered. Keep a watch at www.masslib.org for the dates of regional roundtable discussions, which will offer you help to navigate the application process.
What is PARA? PARA is a voluntary program to formally recognize paralibrarians of Massachusetts who go above and beyond their regular job duties.
What are PARA levels? Paralibrarians may achieve PARA Levels 1, 2, and 3. These increasingly challenging achievement levels represent points earned for education, experience, and professional activities.
Why did the Paralibrarian Section of MLA create PARA? Not everyone wants to (or is able to) obtain an advanced degree to further their library career. We want to encourage professional goals and career development in paralibrarians.
Where did the idea come from? A few other states have similar programs, including the New York State Library Assistants’ Association. These programs have been very popular, and successful to build morale, for networking, and to promote the careers of paralibrarians.
What’s in it for me? Along with the satisfaction of accomplishment is the added bonus of recognition by your peers and your library director. We sincerely hope that library directors will see the value of the program and take into account a person’s initiative in achieving this goal when evaluating their staff.
How do I get started? The Program Guidelines will give you specifics about how to document your education, your work experience, and professional activities like the workshops you’ve attended, and the presentations you’ve made, etc. The Guidelines will also explain how points are assigned, and contain copies of the registration and application forms.
What if I have questions? The Paralibrarian Section of MLA will be hosting a series of roundtables. Please check www.masslib.org for dates and locations. You may also contact Debbie Bockus, Career Development Committee Chair (also Access Services Manager of WPI's Gordon Library, Worcester, MA), at dbockus@wpi.edu, or at 508-831-5230.