Code of Massachusetts Regulations
605 CMR - BOARD OF LIBRARY COMMISSIONERS
Title 605 CMR 3.00 - Certification Of Librarians
Section 3.05 - Examinations for Professional Certification

Universal Citation: 605 MA Code of Regs 605.3

Current through Register 1531, September 27, 2024

(1) Certification by examination is only one method of obtaining professional certification. (See 605 CMR 3.04.)

(2) All candidates for Professional Librarian Certification by examination are expected to fulfill all three of the following requirements:

(a) General Education. Graduation from a four-year college accredited by a regional accrediting agency recognized by the National Commission on Accrediting. The Board may also admit to these examinations graduates of overseas college and university programs deemed equivalent to accredited four-year programs in the United States.

(b) Professional Education. The completion of 18 semester hours of library science courses from an institution accredited by a regional accrediting agency recognized by the National Commission on Accrediting. A candidate shall submit evidence of having completed courses in:
1. cataloging and classification;

2. reference methods, materials, and use; and

3. additional courses aimed at orienting students in library service and developing library skills; for example, subject bibliography; material selection; the literature and/or services for children, young adults, or adults; media; and information science. For persons who apply after January 1, 1979, these courses must be taken from a four-year institution accredited by a regional accrediting agency recognized by the National Commission on Accrediting.

(c) Experience. Minimum of three years experience of a professional nature in public, school, academic, or special libraries where the candidate's responsibilities and duties indicate, in the opinion of the employer, an ability to perform those described for "Librarian" in the Guide to the Employment of Professional and Sub-Professional Personnel in Massachusetts Public Libraries (Boston: Massachusetts Bureau of Library Extension, 1972) page 7.

(3) Examinations will be prepared and evaluated by an out-of-state examiner appointed by the Board of Library Commissioners.

(4) Examinations will be held semi-annually if there are applicants for examination. The Board of Library Commissioners reserves the right to postpone any announced examination if fewer than six examination candidates are scheduled to appear; or, when funds are not available to meet the expense of retaining an examiner.

(5) The Board will supply prospective certification examinees with:

(a) application forms;

(b) a general information sheet on the certification by examination program; and

(c) suggested reading list.

(6) The certification examination shall consist of both essay type and objective questions. Candidates must attain a passing grade in both sections. For the objective portion of the examination, the passing mark shall be 70 on a scale of 100; for the essay portion, the passing point need not be an arithmetic percentage but may be set by the examiner at a predetermined mark which in the judgment of the Board of Library Commissioners meets the minimum requirements for certification as a professional librarian.

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