Judith Thompson-Verdi, Washington State Community College

SSIG sponsored ALA-APA Director Jenifer Grady at a highly-rated session during the 2008 ALAO Conference in Wilmington. Ms. Grady shared updates on progress toward the library support staff (LSS) national certification program which is expected to be field tested during 2009-2010. The program addresses the needs of 69% of library employees who work as support staff and will help the profession standardize expectations for LSS including mastery of critical job competencies, guidance for LSS training curriculum and articulation of job requirements. Information about LSS certification, including a list of competencies, can be found at www.ala-apa.org/lsscp.

SSIG was pleased to present its annual awards during the Wilmington conference. Bobbi Bishop of Heidelberg College received the SSIG Award of Excellence to honor the enthusiasm, professionalism and grace that she brings to her position at Beeghly Library. Louis Mays of Southern State Community College was presented with the SSIG Award of Appreciation for his unwavering encouragement in advancing opportunities for growth and professionalism to his staff.

The SSIG Program Group met October 23 at Roberts Centre to evaluate progress on plans for the 2009 Spring Workshop to be held Friday, March 27 at Washington State Community College in Marietta, Ohio. Keynote speaker Dr. Kerry Strayer, Professor of Communications at Otterbein College, will present on “The 7 Habits of Highly Successful People.”