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Canadian Association of Research Libraries

CARL Releases Updated Version of Competencies for Librarians in Canadian Research Libraries

September 18, 2020

The Canadian Association of Research Libraries (CARL) this week released Competencies for Librarians in Canadian Research Libraries, a renewal of the 2010 Core Competencies for 21st Century CARL Librarians.

The renewed Competencies for Librarians in Canadian Research Libraries document has been developed to assist with personal and organizational goal setting while providing a context for recruitment and professional development. The competencies may be applied in CARL libraries for strategic planning or restructuring purposes, or in the development of mission and vision statements. Schools of library and information studies may consult them for curriculum development purposes or to prepare graduates for job interviews. Employers may find them useful for recruitment of new librarians, in training and development, and to assist those transitioning into new roles within the research library.

The document identified nine competencies with associated knowledge, skills, and mindsets.

  • Active Learning & Adaptation
  • Collaboration
  • Consultation & Communication
  • Curation & Preservation
  • Equity, Diversity & Inclusion
  • Engagement & Participation
  • Evaluation & Assessment
  • Leadership & Facilitation
  • Vision & Innovation

CARL is Pleased to Announce the Release of the Final Version of the Competencies for Librarians in Canadian Research Libraries

September 17, 2020. – Reporting to the Canadian Association of Research Libraries’ (CARL) Strengthening Capacity Committee, the CARL Competencies Working Group (CWG) was struck in the summer of 2017 to refresh the 2010 publication, ‘Core Competencies for 21st Century CARL Librarians.’

This process has been highly consultative – with opportunities for diverse library directors and library staff to provide feedback along the way. Membership on the working group also spans varying levels of experience, and includes CARL Directors, librarians currently holding managerial responsibilities (department heads or AULs), librarians with 4-10 years of experience currently working in a nonmanagerial capacity, and a newer librarian with less than 4 years experience.

Following the release of a consultation draft in December 2019, the CWG received over 35 responses from the community. Guided by this feedback, the CWG has revised the consultation draft to better reflect the current needs of the profession. The working group is now pleased to present the final version of the Competencies for Librarians in Canadian Research Libraries.

CARL would like to take this opportunity to thank those who took the time to respond to our survey and contribute to this resource. We would also like to thank members of the CWG for their great dedication and hard work during this lengthy and highly consultative process.

It is CARL’s intention to periodically update the document and feedback from the community is welcome. Moving forward, feedback can be sent to Julie Morin (julie.morin@carl-abrc.ca) for consideration by CARL’s Strengthening Capacity Committee.

(Via Canadian Association of Research Libraries)

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