Competencies taught in Pennsylvania school library certification programs: A survey of recent graduates and current educators

The purpose of this study was to ascertain the competencies taught in school library certification programs in Pennsylvania and to assess the value of each competency to school librarians in their day-to-day job performance. Library educators were also surveyed to determine what competencies are present in their certification programs and to assess their perceptions of the value of the competencies to the school librarians in the field and to establish the relationship between what the practitioners think they are learning and the relationship of each group's perceived value of the competencies to the day-to-day job performance of the school librarians.;The survey method was the research technique used to collect data in this study. There were two surveys conducted. The first was used to determine eligibility for participation in the study and the second gathered the data used in the study. The statistical techniques used in analyzing the data were percentages and a discrepancy scale.;The conclusions of the study were: (1) there is general agreement among library educators and school librarians in the perception of what is taught and learned in school library certification programs; and (2) there are disagreements among library educators and school librarians in the perceived value of competencies to school librarians in their day-to-day job performance. The study does not prescribe changes to school library certification programs in Pennsylvania, but does provide a starting point for discussion that could effect changes in these programs.