Librarian Certification and Basic Library Techniques 

In order to ensure that communities are served by qualified library personnel, the Board grants Certificates of Librarianship to applicants based on work experience or education level as set forth in statute and regulation, (MGL c.78 s.22-31; 605 CMR 3.01-3.06). The certificates are required of all Massachusetts public library directors as a prerequisite for municipalities to receive State Aid to Public Libraries.

Basic Library Techniques (BLT) are a group of four special training courses designed for public library directors who do not have a master of library science degree. The intent of the BLT program is to provide practical training in library administration, reference, cataloging and materials selection. When all four courses are completed and an application for a BLT certificate is submitted, a certificate of final completion of the BLT requirement will be sent to the applicant. The BLT requirement to receive State Aid to Public Libraries applies only to municipalities with a population under 10,000, and within that group, only to library directors who do not have a master of library science degree.

For more information, contact: Dianne L. Carty or James Lonergan