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Certification & LATI

Information on certification for public library staff.

General

Certification

On this page you will find information regarding initial Certification as well as Certification renewal for:

  • Maryland Professional Public Librarians and Public Library Directors
  • Maryland Public Library Associates

Maryland Professional Public Librarians and Public Library Directors - Certification Information

The professional public librarian and public library director certification program for the state of Maryland is governed by the Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR) under Title 14.38.01.01 and is administered by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE).

Certification is required to enter and continue in the Maryland state retirement system. This system covers Maryland public school teachers as well as professional public librarians and public library directors. For this reason, both sets of employees share a common certification system, TEACH, which is administered and housed in MSDE. Professional public librarians and public library directors must acquire six (6) semester hours or 90 contact hours every five (5) years to remain in the retirement system and/or stay employed in Maryland public libraries. 

Here are materials to support Maryland professional public librarians and library directors with their initial certification and renewal process:

Maryland Public Library Associates - Certification Information

The public library associate training and certification program for the state of Maryland is governed by the Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR) under Title 14.38.01.02 and is administered by the Maryland State Library Agency (MSLA).

The Library Associate Training Institute (LATI) as well as continuing education requirements help ensure that Maryland library customers receive the same level of quality customer service at any library in the state.  Public library associates must acquire six (6) semester hours or 90 contact hours every five (5) years to remain in the retirement system and/or stay employed in Maryland public libraries. 

Here are materials to support Maryland public library associates with their educational training and certification process:

This project was made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
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