Palo Alto College
LIBRARY TECHNOLOGY
ASSISTANT PROGRAM

• Prepare to become a Library Technology Assistant
• Meet ISD continuing education requirements
• Upgrade your job skills
• Get a certificate to help get a job or promotion

Night classes (6:30 to 9:30) begin in the fall semester with two classes:

BMGT 1345 - Communications Skills for Manager: Intro. to Libraries - covers types of organizations and employers, role of the LTA, automation, history of the book, tools and terminology, basic library philosophy, seeking a job, written and oral communications skills, library vendors, conflict resolution, dealing with change.

LBRA 1391 - Acquisitions and Cataloging - covers cataloging (LC and Dewey), the acquisitions process, tools used, bibliographic search tools, terminology, serials ordering, check-in and claim processes, and U.S. MARC coding.

In the spring semester there are two more night classes (COMM 2289 cannot be taken unless two previous courses have been taken):

LBRA 1391 - Access Services - covers circulation desk, interlibrary loan functions, and a variety of other public service processes, including circulation policies, reserve collection policies and procedure, copyright issues, terminology, public relations, stacks maintenance, inventory, and keeping and reporting of statistics, and audiovisual services.

COMM 2289 - Practicum in Communication and Library Seminar - (restricted to students who have taken two classes in the program already) integrates on-campus study with practical hands-on work experience. Closely supervised field work in one or more libraries or media centers in addition to classroom coursework and seminar discussion. A variety of learning experiences will be included. Group discussion and evaluation of supervisory techniques and employer-employee relationships (2 hours credit; classes are from 6:30 to 8:30 pm).

The certificate program completes in the long summer semester with one class which meets two nights per week from 6 pm to 8:45:

LBRA 1391 - Information Sources and Services - covers reference philosophy, criteria to evaluate an information source, information sources available in all formats, the reference interview, search strategies, Boolean searching, and digital resources.

The above courses will award you a Library Technical Assistant certificate which is 14 semester hours total and is cross-listed (can be taken) as Continuing Education Credit. Taking additional required core courses can result in an A.S. or A.S.S. degree.

For additional information, call Colby Glass at 210/921-5069 or email cglass@mail.accd.edu. For help starting college, or for advice or counseling, call the Welcome Center at 210/921-5170.