Certification FAQs

Periodically, the board hosts an information session explaining the process of applying for Paralibrarian Certification. This two-hour class walks applicants through the guidelines page by page and answers any questions. In this class, a sample application is provided and explained.

You may download a sample application as well as other helpful documents.

For more involved questions, please contact any one of our Paralibrarian Certificate Mentors.

Common Questions

  1. Please, send your check with your application.
  2. “I’m not planning to pursue certification; can I still attend the classes?” Yes.
  3. NHLA Cancellation policy. If you paid online, there is a $5 cancellation fee. For the complete policy, please click here.

Paralibrarians Classes

For current class offerings, please visit the NHLA calendar and filter by Paralibrarians. Also note that classes offered by other sections are also eligible for points, just bring Form D for the instructor to sign if a certificate of attendance is not offered.

For a complete list of classes that the Paralibrarians Section has hosted previously to reference descriptions or point values, please see our amended guidelines or list of classes.


Continuing Education Opportunities

Online Opportunities

The path to paralibrarian certification requires a lot of learning. In order to facilitate applicants’ efforts to engage in professional development, the section will maintain a list of links to online educational opportunities here. If you notice a dead link or a mistake or have suggestions for additional links to provide, please contact the Paralibrarian webmaster: Amanda Alwyn, Laconia Public Library.

These links contain webinars and other opportunities that can be used to help meet certification requirements. However, we encourage all library professionals to use these links to their advantage in ongoing professional development efforts.

Maine State Library Voluntary Public Librarian Certification

First Tuesdays (Washington St. Library)

School Library Journal webcasts

Library Journal webcasts

Demco webinars

American Libraries Live

ALA Live

Booklist webinars

Texas Library Association continuing education

Webjunction

Infopeople

Idahoable

Library Juice Academy

Storytime University

Texas State Library webinars

Nebraska Library Commission webinars

University of Wisconsin-Madison Continuing Ed

Kentucky Dept. for Libraries webinars

Wyoming State Library Webinar Archive

Tech Soup For Libraries


Continuing Education Opportunities

Teen Services

ConnectedLib https://connectedlib.github.io/ 9 free self-paced modules aimed at build­ing librarians’ capacity to engage and promote connected learning and 21st century skills among today’s digital youth. Developed by faculty members from the library and information science schools at the University of Washington and University of Maryland.

A Teen Walks into the Library https://create.coloradovirtuallibrary.org/a-teen-walks-into-the-library/ Developed by the Colorado State Library, this free, self-directed course is for all library staff who frequently interact with teens. Learners will gain a beginning level of understanding of working with teens in the library setting.

http://www.ala.org/yalsa/onlinelearning/webinar#Free%20Teen%20Competencies%20Webinars YALSA Teen Services Competencies for Library Staff

Teaching Tolerance https://www.tolerance.org/professional-development webinars and self-paced learning.

450 free online courses from Ivy League Schools https://www.freecodecamp.org/news/ivy-league-free-online-courses-a0d7ae675869/?fbclid=IwAR0q-32Rbc5tFQuT5ydjRqn50qZ98BwoGn4tsMrHhjYwfJ_Z97DEsr_yNIo


Continuing Education Opportunities

Resources for professional development

If you are working from home and have the opportunity to pursue professional development and work on your certification, here are some resources available to you that we have compiled from a variety of sources – with a special thanks to the State Library who have diligently provided many of these links through the NHAIS listserv: https://maillist2.nh.gov/mailman/listinfo/nhais-l
As always, refer to the guidelines to ensure that the resource you have chosen meets the requirements for points. This list is a compilation of resources found in various places, not a definitive list of guideline appropriate items.