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Certified Public Library Administrator Program

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Fees

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For CPLA Candidates

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Application Deadlines Who is becoming a Certified Public Library Administrator?
NEWS! Certification for Public Library Administrators podcast (.mp3, 6.35 minutes)

CPLA Application (FAQ)

The Certified Public Library Administrator program is a voluntary post-MLS certification program for public librarians with three years or more of supervisory experience. CPLA certification will enable public librarians to:

  • Further their professional education and development.
  • Move to a higher level of practical professional experience.
  • Improve career opportunities through professional expertise.
  • Demonstrate to colleagues, trustees and board of directors, patrons and the wider information community that the certified person has acquired a nationally and professionally recognized body of knowledge and expertise in public library administration.
  • Improve the quality of library service through the provision of practical knowledge and skills essential to successful library management.

Application

You may complete this application online and email your resume (MS Word, WordPerfect, or Rich Text format) to cpla@ala.org.

You must have:
•  A graduate degree in library and information studies from a program accredited by the American Library Association; or
•  A master's level program in library and information studies accredited or recognized by the appropriate national body of another country; or
•  A master's degree with a specialty in school library media from an educational unit accredited by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (for school library media specialists only); and

- a minimum of three years of experience in a public library position that included or includes supervisory and administrative duties. - Definition of supervisory experience - Definition of a public library

PDF of application (Instructions for printing in Adobe Reader - under Page Handling, change Page Scaling to "Multiple pages per sheet." Change Pages per sheet to 2. Change Page Order to Horizontal. The application is 4 pages.)

  1. I verify that I meet the minimum education and supervisory experience criteria listed above for the CPLA program.  I understand that if I submit this application and do not meet the minimum criteria, I will forfeit the application fee. 
  2. Name, last:
  3. Name, first:
  4. Name, middle initia (1-letter)l:
  5. Name under which you obtained your MLS, if different:
  6. Home address:
    Street:
    City: State (2-letter): Zip:
  7. Preferred Phone number:
  8. Best time to be contacted:
  9. Preferred E-mail address:
  10. Name of employer:
  11. Employer address:
    Street:
    City: State (2-letter): Zip:
  12. Name of graduate institution (ALA-accredited or recognized):
  13. Address of graduate institution:
    Street:
    City: State (2-letter): Zip:
  14. Year of degree attainment:
  15. ALA Member ID (if applicable):
  16. Number of years in management in public libraries: (numbers only, please)
  17. Highest number of employees managed at one time: (numbers only, please)
  18. Category of workers supervised (check all that apply)
    Librarians
    Support Staff/paraprofessionals
    Other professionals (IT, HR)
    Volunteers
    Other
  19. Area supervised (check all that apply)
    Reference
    Circulation
    Cataloging
    Branch
    Main library
    Other
  20. Career Goals: How might the CPLA program affect or enhance your career? (200 words or less):
  21. Have you already taken an ALA-APA Approved CPLA Course? a. Yes b. No
  22. Did a CPLA candidate recommend the program to you? If so, please list the candidate's name
  23. My library serves the following population size:
    less than 10,000
    10,000-24,999
    25,000-99,999
    100,000-499,999
    500,000 or more
FEES to participate in the CPLA Program (non-refundable). These fees do not include individual course fees.

$250 for American Library Association members
$350 for non-ALA members
$45 for CPLA Candidates for Course Completion Reviews (ALA members) - Course Completion Review Form
$75 for CPLA Candidates for Course Completion Reviews (non-ALA members) - Course Completion Review Form

Payment information:
Sending a check by mail (Make checks payable to ALA-APA)
By entering your credit card information in the below, you are authorizing ALA-APA to charge the appropriate application or review fees above. The site is SECURE.

I am paying for Course Review(s). Please charge my credit card for the appropriate amount.
Visa/Mastercard/American Express
Cardholder's Name:
Account Number:
Expiration Date: (MM/YY)

Credit Card Authorization Form (to be faxed) for applicants and CPLA Candidates who are Submitting for Course Completion Reviews. NOT NECESSARY FOR APPLICANTS WHO SUBMIT PAYMENT USING THE PAYMENT INFORMATION FIELDS ABOVE, WHICH ARE SECURE.

SUBMISSIONS:
Send resume (if not emailed) and check to:
CPLA
ALA-APA
50 East Huron
Chicago, IL 60611

Why is certification important for public librarians? Suzann H knows that "running a public library nowadays is like being in business. Finances, budgets, legislation, technology and staffing were not covered or have changed dramatically since library school but are now a necessary part of my current position. I'm learning as I go, but often times feel over my head in these areas. The Certified Public Library Administrator Program would fill a void and help those of us dedicated to public libraries to feel confident with the business aspects."
 

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