Advanced Certificate in Public Library Administration

The Program:
The challenges faced by today's public library administrators require a solid foundation of training and experience. The Palmer School's post-Master's Advanced Certificate program in Public Library Administration is designed to develop and enhance the management skills and credentials of professional librarians working within the public library sector and to train the leaders of tomorrow.

As a core component of the Palmer Institute for Public Library Organization and Management this program offers students interested in public library administration a comprehensive education based on practical experience in the critical aspects of managing a public library. This program is open to librarians with a minimum of two years professional experience and has been deigned to:

• Update librarians on new management principles and organizational structures;
• Integrate these concepts and illustrate their practical application within the public library setting;
• Explore current issues and trends in public library management and improve leadership skills within the workplace;
• Provide a forum where important management issues germane to public librarians can be discussed in light of the theoretical constructs covered within this program.

Career Opportunities:
The growing complexity of public institutions has forced governing boards to become far more selective in choosing their administrators. A working understanding of law, human resources, finance and facilities is now a fundamental requirement for public library administrators as directors or middle managers. The certificate program of the Palmer Institute covers all content areas required in the New York State Public Library Director civil service examination series. The program has been recognized by the New York State Education Department as a formally approved N.Y.S. Certificate in Advanced Studies, the first such program in the nation.

Curriculum:
The Advanced Certificate in Public Library Administration encompasses five required courses, generally taken in succession as a cohort. The courses are offered in a seminar format and limited to a maximum of twenty-five students per class. Students may elect to take the courses for one or three credits. The same level of effort is required, however only three credit courses are eligible for transfer to other graduate level programs:

• LIS 700 Principles of Public Library Organization & Management
• LIS 701 Seminar in Legal Issues & the Regulatory/Governance Environment of the Public Library
• LIS 702 Human Resources Administration in the Public Library
• LIS 703 Financial Management of Public Libraries
• LIS 704 Public Library Facilities, Automation Systems and Telecommunications

Faculty:
The lead instructor and originator of the program is Gerald Nichols, Director of the Palmer Institute for Public Library Organization and Management. Mr. Nichols, former Director of the Suffolk Cooperative Library System, brings over twenty-five years of public library administrative experience to the program. A variety of qualified faculty and outside experts and specialists in the areas of law, accounting, labor relations, facilities services, computer hardware and software, etc. supplement the teaching staff. The goal of this rigorous program is to equip practicing librarians with specific means to handle management challenges in public libraries today.

Admissions:
Entrance to the Public Library Administrator's Certificate Program will be limited to working professionals who either hold or aspire to executive management positions in public libraries. All applicants should hold a relevant master's degree (the MLS) and a minimum of two years experience in public libraries. The Public Library Administrator's Certificate is designed as a post-MLS "cohort" program, where students register with the intent to complete all five courses as a group. The program is often coordinated with regional public library organizations acting as partners with the Palmer Institute to assure a focused and meaningful educational experience for the participants. Interested individuals should contact Mr. Nichols at the Palmer Institute for more information

Program Sites:
The Certificate in Public Library Administration is currently offered at variety of sites in the greater metropolitan New York area.

Jerry Nichols, Director
Palmer Institute for Public Library Organization and Management
Long Island University; C.W. Post Campus
720 Northern Blvd.
Brookville, NY 11548-1300
Phone:  516-299-2867
Fax: 516-299-4168
e-mail: gerald.nichols@liu.edu