Beth Duttlinger, Consultant
Core Competencies: What, Why
and How

Definition
Core competencies identify the knowledge &
skills needed by library employees to
provide superior services.
 Can be broad to identify key aspects
 Can be more specific to positions

Broad
http://www.olc.org/CoreCompetencies.asp

Specific
Core Competencies April 2009

What's the big deal?
 Orientation
 Continuing Ed
 Job Descriptions
 Recruitment
 Interviewing
 Performance Evaluations

Orientation
 Standardize
 Checklist

CE
 Periodic review
 Staff input
http://corecompetencies.wikispaces.com/

Job description
 Identify tasks necessary
 Abilities needed

Recruitment
 Write ads
 Define and articulate skill sets for search
team

Interviewing
 Can assist hiring supervisors and search
committees to determine which candidates
meet or show potential to develop a
particular competency.
 Question examples

General-Customer Service
 Asa library assistant, how do
you ensure that you are
providing good service?

Computer/Technology
 Describe
a time you solved a
problem using technology.

Information Literacy/Reference
 Givean example of a time you
weren’t sure what a patron
wanted. How did you handle
the situation?

Integrated Library System
 Have you ever had to orient
another employee on the
library’s circulation system?
How did you do it or how would
you go about doing it?

Evaluations
 Document special achievements
 Set realistic goals
 Improve performance

How to adapt
1. Develop an understanding of core
competencies.
2. Review the mission/goals & strategic plan.
3. Develop a list of potential core competencies.
4. Identify relationships and cluster related
skills together.
5. Incorporate into corporate culture.
6. Review periodically and consider options for
improvement.

Resources
delicious.com/thelibrarian
 Ohio Public Library Core Competencies
 WebJunction - IL Course Catalog for Core
 WebJunction - Library Staff Competency
 technologytrainingwheels.pbworks.com /
 PLCMC core competencies wiki

What questions do you have?