The PAralibrarian Recognition of Achievement

PARAlibrarian Recognition of Achievement - Update

Three Massachusetts paralibrarians received the very first PAralibrarian Recognition of Achievement (PARA) at the MLA Annual Meeting held at WPI on May 8, 2006.    The PARA requires submission of extensive documentation to demonstrate involvement in professional development activities, and commitment to a library career.  Elizabeth Goodrich, Interlibrary Loan Associate, and Elenore McGourty, Periodical Serials Associate, both from Worcester Polytechnic Institute, received Level I PARAs (with 208.5 and 209 points earned, respectively).   Allison Sloan, Senior Library Associate, Technical Services Department, of the Reading Public Library, received a Level II PARA (for 353.5 points earned).  To learn more about the PARA, contacts, guidelines, and how to apply, please read on.

About the PARA Program

At the MLA Fall Conference: 21st Century Literacies, the building was cold and drafty, but warmth and excitement were generated by representatives of the MLA Paralibrarian Section, who hosted an information table to introduce a new program. They handed out flyers and explained to people about the PARA. Here are some of the questions asked and answered. Keep a watch at www.masslib.org for the dates of regional roundtable discussions, which will offer you help to navigate the application process.

What is PARA? PARA is a voluntary program to formally recognize paralibrarians of Massachusetts who go above and beyond their regular job duties.

What are PARA levels? Paralibrarians may achieve PARA Levels 1, 2, 3 and 4. These increasingly challenging achievement levels represent points earned for education, experience, and professional activities.

Why did the Paralibrarian Section of MLA create PARA? Not everyone wants to (or is able to) obtain an advanced degree to further their library career. We want to encourage professional goals and career development in paralibrarians.

Where did the idea come from? A few other states have similar programs, including the New York State Library Assistants’ Association. These programs have been very popular, and successful to build morale, for networking, and to promote the careers of paralibrarians.

What’s in it for me? Along with the satisfaction of accomplishment is the added bonus of recognition by your peers and your library director. We sincerely hope that library directors will see the value of the program and take into account a person’s initiative in achieving this goal when evaluating their staff.

How do I get started? The Program Guidelines will give you specifics about how to document your education, your work experience, and professional activities like the workshops you’ve attended, and the presentations you’ve made, etc. The Guidelines will also explain how points are assigned, and contain copies of the registration and application forms.

What if I have questions? The Paralibrarian Section of MLA will be hosting a series of roundtables. Please check www.masslib.org for dates and locations. You may also contact Karen Horn at Khorn@clamsnet.org.

P A R A

(PAralibrarian Recognition of Achievement)

Recipients Levels I; II; III; IV*

Developed and implemented by the MLA Paralibrarian Section**

2011

Level I -   Lori Salotto - Middleborough Public Library

               Meredith Toumayan - The Governor's Academy, Byfield

               Gina Wells - Mohawk Trail Regional School District

Level II – Virginia Julian - Gordon Library/WPI, Worcester

               Sandy Leifeld - Newton Free Library

2010

Level I -   Karen Horn- Sturgis Library- Barnstable

                 Toni Wilcox- Mohawk Trail Regional School District

Level III –Gerry Deyermond- Memorial Hall Library, Andover

                  Kathy Coughlin- Reuben Hoar Library, Littleton

2009

Level I –  Genie Shearer- Mohawk Trail Regional School District

                 Virginia Julian- Gordon Library/WPI, Worcester

Level III – Linda Dodge- Gleason Public Library, Carlisle

2008

Level I – Wanda Musacchio- Mohawk Trail Regional School District

Level III – Allison Sloan – Reading Public Library, Reading

                 Carol Geary, Sutton Free Public Library, Sutton

2007

Level I – Mary Boehmer, Hawlmont School Library, Charlemont

                Betty Smith, Reuben Hoar Library, Littleton

                Faith Hoffman

Level II – Kathy Coughlin, Reuben Hoar Library, Littleton

                 Gerry Deyermond, Memorial Hall Library, Andover

                 Janice Lazarus, Reuben Hoar Library, Littleton

                 Doreen Morse, Reuben Hoar Library, Littleton

                 Jeanne Sill, Reuben Hoar Library, Littleton

                 Donna White, Reuben Hoar library, Littleton

Level III-  Andrea Curran, Reuben Hoar Library, Littleton

                Helen Graham, Reuben Hoar Library, Littleton         

                Debbie Pennino- Northeastern University Libraries, Boston

2006 (Pilot year)

Level I – Elizabeth Goodrich, Gordon Library/ WPI, Worcester

                Elenore McGourty, Gordon Library/WPI, Worcester

Level II - Allison Sloan, Reading Public library, Reading

*Level IV added at the Section Annual Meeting April, 2010

**With special thanks to Debbie Bockus and Debbie Pennino for their commitment and promotion of this program to recognize the achievements of Massachusetts Paralibrarians