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The Community Library Training Program (CLTP) is a Web based distance education program offered by Libraries and Literacy (formerly PLSB) of the British Columbia Ministry of Education, in partnership with the British Columbia Library Association.

The purpose of the program is to help B.C. public library staff develop the skills they need to serve their communities. The program is also open to British Columbia public library volunteers, board members, and staff or volunteers from BC Aboriginal libraries or other organizations. Others interested in acquiring library skills may contact the program coordinator for information about other programs.

Ten online courses are currently available covering a variety of public library operations and services. The program is delivered entirely via the Internet. Each course takes up to four months to complete and requires an estimated minumum of ten - twenty hours of work (both on and offline) per week. Approximately 160 students complete CLTP courses each year and students are awarded a Community Library Training Program certificate after completing a core program consisting of 4 courses.

Students in the program receive support from experienced tutors, Libraries and Literacy consultants, and other students. Communication among participants takes place primarily using the course Web sites and email. Final grades in each course are based on three graded assignments, a quiz or test, and participation in online discussions and activities.

Required readings and course materials are included with each registration package or can be found online.

Update: Training Needs Survey results released Mar 12, 2012.

• Apr 8, 2013 -- Registration for the Fall 2013 term is open! Meanwhile, registration in our Spring 2013 (Apr - Jul) term is closed, but waitlists are being taken. Details are on the Courses page. Note that priority in all of our upcoming courses will be given to students nearing completion of the CLTP Program. More information can be found on our Apply page.
• Mar 13, 2012 -- The Community Library Training Program is currently under review. Libraries & Literacy remains committed to providing training and professional development opportunities for libraries and we are looking to ensure our training efforts remain relevant and useful for BC’s public library staff, volunteers and trustees.

  We do not yet know exactly what our training program will look like 1-2 years from now. However, we will make every effort to ensure that current CLTP students have the opportunity to complete the program, and we encourage students to take their desired courses sooner rather than later. We still welcome new students, but for those entering CLTP in September 2012 or later, be aware that we cannot guarantee future course availability to complete the program. New students are more than welcome to take courses on a one-off basis.

• Mar 12, 2012 -- Libraries & Literacy has released the results of the Training Needs Survey we conducted in the Fall of 2011. Over three hundred responses were collected from around the province, including some from current and former CLTP students. Because the findings from this survey will impact the future direction of the CLTP Program and other library training conducted by Libraries & Literacy, we encourage all interested CLTP students to view the report. The full report is linked above.