2. Table of Contents
Foreword ......................................................................................................................................... 3
Acknowledgments........................................................................................................................... 3
Purpose and Scope ...................................................................................................................... 4
What Are Competencies? ........................................................................................................... 4
How are Competencies Different from Performance Standards or Duty Statements?............... 4
Why Evaluate One’s Competencies?.......................................................................................... 5
The Organization of FLICC Competencies for Federal Librarians ................................................ 5
Foundational Competencies............................................................................................................ 8
Cognitive Analysis...................................................................................................................... 8
Communication........................................................................................................................... 8
Emotional Intelligence ................................................................................................................ 8
Leadership................................................................................................................................... 8
Professional Knowledge ............................................................................................................. 8
Technology Application.............................................................................................................. 9
Functional Competencies.............................................................................................................. 10
Agency and Organizational Knowledge ................................................................................... 10
Agency and Organization Context and Culture .................................................................... 10
Agency’s Regulations, Policies and Guidelines ................................................................... 10
Federal Laws and Regulations .............................................................................................. 11
Collection Management ............................................................................................................ 13
Collection Access and Control.............................................................................................. 13
Collection Acquisitions......................................................................................................... 13
Collection Development ....................................................................................................... 14
Resource Protection and Preservation .................................................................................. 15
Resource Sharing .................................................................................................................. 15
Rights Management .............................................................................................................. 16
Content Organization and Structure.......................................................................................... 17
Content Structure, Design, and Dissemination ..................................................................... 17
Controlled Vocabularies, Taxonomies, Thesauri, and Ontologies ....................................... 17
Information Architecture ...................................................................................................... 18
Resource Description ............................................................................................................ 19
Knowledge Management .......................................................................................................... 21
Knowledge Management Principles ..................................................................................... 21
KM Methodologies ............................................................................................................... 21
Library Leadership and Advocacy............................................................................................ 22
Administration and Management.......................................................................................... 22
Best Practices and Evaluation............................................................................................... 23
Business Processes................................................................................................................ 23
Professional Development .................................................................................................... 24
Program and Project Management........................................................................................ 25
Program Development and Outreach.................................................................................... 25
Public Relations and Library Promotion............................................................................... 25
Research Funding and Publication........................................................................................ 26
Strategic and Operational Planning ...................................................................................... 27
Supervision and Human Resources ...................................................................................... 27

3. Library Technology Management............................................................................................. 29
Assistive Technologies and 508 Compliance ....................................................................... 29
Enterprise Information Technology (IT) .............................................................................. 29
Information Assurance and Security..................................................................................... 30
Library and Content Management Systems.......................................................................... 30
Social Media, Collaborative, and Mobile Technologies....................................................... 31
Technology ........................................................................................................................... 31
Reference and Research............................................................................................................ 33
Analytical Studies and Reports............................................................................................. 33
Customer Education and Training ........................................................................................ 34
Reference Services................................................................................................................ 34
Resources, Search Strategies, and Tools............................................................................... 35
Specialized Knowledge, Skills and Abilities ............................................................................ 37
Languages ............................................................................................................................. 37
Specialized Subject Knowledge............................................................................................ 37
Glossary ........................................................................................................................................ 38
Resources ...................................................................................................................................... 41
2

4. Foreword
This 2011 edition of the FLICC Competencies for Federal Librarians represents the Federal
Library and Information Center Committee’s (FLICC) ongoing commitment to periodically
evaluate and update the competencies to reflect developments in the Federal Library community
and workforce. FLICC Competencies for Federal Librarians defines the knowledge, skills, and
abilities needed to perform successfully as a federal librarian. Federal librarians can use this
document to assess themselves within foundational and functional competencies. Managers can
use this document to develop job descriptions, recruit and train employees, create performance
standards, develop succession plans, and align with agency missions and strategic goals.
Acknowledgments
The previous edition of this work, Federal Librarian Competencies (2008) was developed by the
FLICC Human Resources Working Group at the urging of the U.S. Office of Personnel
Management (OPM).
The original Competencies Project Development Team specifically acknowledged the work of
ARMA International, the United States Army, the Medical Library Association, the American
Library Association (ALA), Special Library Association (SLA), the American Association of
Law Libraries, the National Library of Medicine, the Library Services Unit of the Library of
Congress, the United States Navy, and OPM, whose previous works on competency
development were heavily relied upon in the creation of this document. The original team also
relied upon the six levels of the cognitive domains of Bloom’s Taxonomy to describe the stages
in the functional competencies.
FLICC gratefully acknowledges the work of the following individuals who developed the 2008
Federal Librarian Competencies: Barbara Christine, Karl E. Debus-López, Georgette Harris, M.
Ann Parham, Jane A. Pellegrino, Carol E. Ramkey, Donna Ramsey, and Roberta I. Shaffer.
The goal of the 2011 revision team was to review and update the organizational structure and the
terminology of the competencies to ensure they remain current and reflect significant changes in
profession as well as within the federal library community and workforce.
In addition to the previous acknowledgements, the 2011 team used the revision of Bloom’s
taxonomy created by Lorin W. Anderson and David R. Krathwohl, www.section508.gov, and
other resources listed in the Resources section.
Members of the 2011 Competencies Revision Team:
Tania Andreef Kim Edwin
U.S. Tax Court Library of Congress
Geography & Map Division
3

5. Jessica Hernandez Carol E. Ramkey
U. S. Food and Drug Administration Director, Library of the Marine Corps
Biosciences Library Marine Corps University
Dana Johnson Jo Ann Remshard
MLIS Intern Pentagon Library
University of North Texas
Priscilla Stephenson
Hector Morey Chief, Library Service
Acquisitions Specialist Philadelphia VA Medical Center
Library of Congress
Amy S. Taylor
Mari-Jana "M-J" Oboroceanu Systems Librarian
Knowledge Services Library of the Marine Corps
Library of Congress
Amanda J. Wilson
Director, National Transportation Library
U.S. Department of Transportation
Introduction
Purpose and Scope
FLICC Competencies for Federal Librarians is a component of an overall and ongoing
commitment by FLICC to maintain current professional competencies for the federal library
community. The competencies are dynamic and FLICC will periodically evaluate them for
relevancy. The expectation is that the competencies will be helpful to others beyond the federal
librarian community including human resource professionals, information technology peers and
partners, executive level management, policy-makers, product developers, vendors, educational
institutions, and certifying entities, as well as other information professionals.
What Are Competencies?
The FLICC Human Resources Working Group defines competencies as the knowledge, skills,
and abilities that define and contribute to performance in a particular profession. Competencies
create a common bond of understanding and a common language for defining professional
standards. Competencies are the foundation for competency-based management and continuous
process improvement, ensuring that federal librarians have the knowledge, skills, and abilities to
accomplish mission requirements. They may be organized in a framework that differentiates
increasing stages of expertise. They are used to design and develop training and educational
programs, position descriptions, performance evaluation instruments, and for alignment with
strategic objectives.
How are Competencies Different from Performance Standards or Duty Statements?
4

6.  Competencies are patterns of skills, knowledge, abilities, behaviors, and other
characteristics (intrinsic or acquired) that an individual needs to perform work roles or
occupational functions successfully.
 Performance standards establish qualitative or quantitative measures for evaluating
work performance.
 Duty statements describe tasks or processes undertaken to accomplish one’s work.
This document does not include duty statements or performance standards.
Why Evaluate One’s Competencies?
At an organizational level, competencies can provide benefits to the library in the areas of:
• strategic planning and budget execution
• recruiting and hiring
• performance feedback and management
• training and development
• career development
• succession management
• alignment with the agency’s mission and strategic goals
From an individual’s perspective, understanding and using competencies can help to:
• determine continuing education needs
• set goals for advancement
• discuss performance, career aspirations, and development needs with management
• create a professional development plan
The Organization of FLICC Competencies for Federal Librarians
This guide is organized into foundational competencies and functional competencies. Functional
competencies are organized by professional stages.
 Competencies are observable, measurable patterns of skills, knowledge, abilities,
behaviors and other characteristics that an individual needs to perform work roles or
occupational functions successfully.
 Foundational Competencies are basic or common competencies shared across many
functional areas and career stages. Not all foundational competencies are necessary for
all federal librarian positions, pay grades, or levels.
 Functional Competencies are groups of similar or related competencies that represent
the major functional responsibilities or duties that define the profession. Functional
competencies are expressed as knowledge, skills, or abilities required to perform in that
area. They do not describe a specific job or position, but they may be used to define job
requirements. In this document competencies are non-hierarchical and non-weighted.
5

7. Rarely will the competencies for a person or position be found in only one functional area
or at a single stage. Those using this document should not limit consideration to any one
functional area or stage but select across all functional areas and at all stages as needed.
Each professional at every level should develop competencies in Library Leadership and
Development. This functional area is not related to any personnel system and is not
limited to positions as supervisors, managers, or administrators.
The Functional Competencies are organized as follows:
Agency and Organization Knowledge
Agency and Organization Context and Culture
Agency’s Regulations, Policies and Guidelines
Federal Laws and Regulations
Collection Management
Collection Access and Control
Collection Acquisitions
Collection Development
Resource Protection and Preservation
Resource Sharing
Rights Management
Content Organization and Structure
Content Structure, Design, and Dissemination
Controlled Vocabularies, Taxonomies, Thesauri, and Ontologies
Information Architecture
Resource Description
Knowledge Management
Knowledge Management Principles
KM Methodologies
Library Leadership and Advocacy
Administration and Management
Best Practices and Evaluation
Business Processes
Professional Development
Program and Project Management
Program Development and Outreach
Public Relations and Library Promotion
Research Funding and Publication
Strategic and Operational Planning
Supervision and Human Resources
Library Technology Management
Assistive Technologies and 508 Compliance
6

8. Enterprise Information Technology (IT)
Information Assurance and Security
Library and Content Management Systems
Social Media, Collaborative, and Mobile Technologies
Technology
Reference and Research
Analytical Studies and Reports
Customer Education and Training
Reference Services
Resources, Search Strategies, and Tools
Specialized Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Languages
Specialized Subject Knowledge
 Stages reflect the amount of knowledge or experience relevant to a particular
functional competency regardless of time in the profession, pay grades, or levels.
At any given time all federal librarian will be at different stages in difference
competencies. This document uses 3 stages:
Basic: Federal librarians at this stage have basic knowledge, skills, and abilities.
For professional growth they focus on developing and improving knowledge,
skills, and abilities in the functional competencies.
.
Advanced: Federal Librarians at this stage have significant knowledge, skills, and
abilities. At this stage, they understand and can explain and apply more than the
basic techniques and technologies and may be developing specialized skills in
particular functional areas. For professional growth they focus on fine tuning
specialized skills, developing skills in different functional areas, and contributing
to the library profession.
Expert: Federal librarians at this stage have extensive knowledge, skills, and
abilities within certain functional areas. They may make strategic decisions,
partner with organizational management, and provide enterprise direction to library
program staff and customers, or may be an expert in a specific functional area.
They may establish best practices and use advanced techniques and technology.
For professional growth, they may focus on technical skills, organizational
positioning, strategic alignment, leading people, change management, and
leadership in the profession.
The stages represent a progression in competencies regardless of years in practice. The stages
do not represent pay grades or pay bands. These competencies are designed to be used as a
“pick list.” An individual does not need to demonstrate all of the competencies in a stage or
functional areas before progressing to the next stage. The order of the competency statements
does not indicate significance or priority.
7

9. Foundational Competencies
Cognitive Analysis
 Attention to Detail – Ability to be thorough and accurate when performing work.
 Creative Thinking – Ability to use imagination to find innovative courses of action.
 Decision Making – Ability to select and commit to a course of action.
 Mathematical Reasoning – Ability to use mathematical methods and formulas to solve
problems or evaluate outcomes.
 Problem Solving – Ability to identify problems and to evaluate and select methods to resolve
them.
 Reasoning – Ability to identify and analyze rules, principles, or relationships and to make
logical inferences or conclusions.
Communication
 Listening – Ability to actively listen, interpret, and provide feedback to individuals and groups.
 Oral Comprehension – Ability to understand information expressed verbally by others.
 Oral Expression – Ability to present information verbally so that others can understand.
 Reading – Ability to understand and interpret written material.
 Writing – Ability to use proper English grammar, punctuation, and spelling and to write in a
succinct and organized manner appropriate for the intended audience or purpose.
 Written Comprehension -- Ability to understand information written by others.
 Written Expression— Ability to present information in writing so that others can understand.
Emotional Intelligence
 Conflict Management – Ability to prevent, manage, and resolve conflicts, grievances,
confrontations, or disagreements.
 External Awareness – Ability to identify and understand economic, political, and social
trends that affect the organization.
 Flexibility – Ability to change and adapt behavior or work methods in response to new
information, changing conditions, or unexpected obstacles.
 Influencing/Negotiating – Ability to persuade others to accept recommendations, cooperate,
or change their own or others’ behaviors and to reach mutually acceptable solutions.
 Interpersonal Skills – Ability to show respect, concern, and empathy for others.
 Self-Management – Ability to set well-defined and realistic work objectives, display
initiative, and demonstrate responsible behavior.
 Teamwork and Collaboration – Ability to work with others to achieve shared goals and
recognize the value of diverse perspectives.
Leadership
 Advocacy – Ability to advance the values of the library profession and advocate for libraries.
 Integrity – Ability to be honest and ethical.
 Mentorship – Ability to mentor others and encourage and support professional development.
 Personal Leadership – Ability to influence, motivate, and challenge others; ability to adapt
leadership style to a variety of situations.
Professional Knowledge
8

10.  Applied Learning – Knowledge and skill to apply formal training, education, or experience to
accomplishing one's work.
 Ethical Framework – Knowledge and application of the ethics, values, and foundational
principles of the library and information profession.
 Foundational Knowledge – Knowledge and application of the corpus of knowledge of
libraries and librarianship.
Technology Application
 Hardware – Ability to use computers, peripherals, mobile devices, and standard office
equipment.
 Software – Ability to use software, social media, or mobile applications.
9

11. Functional Competencies
Agency and Organizational Knowledge
Basic Stage Advanced Stage Expert Stage
Agency and Organization Context and Culture
Has knowledge of... Has knowledge, skill, or ability to… Has knowledge, skill, or ability to…
 mission and goals of the agency or  understand and explain the mission,  interpret the mission, goals,
organization. goals, programs, initiatives, and programs, initiatives, and structure
 library’s place and role in the structure of the agency or of the agency or organization.
agency or organization. organization.  anticipate and plan for issues and
 agency’s publications and  explain the history and culture of trends relating to the future
information products. the agency or organization. direction of the agency or
 understand the interrelationships organization.
 interagency and government-wide
library initiatives and programs. within the agency or organization  assess and explain the agency or
and their impact on the library. organization’s place and role
 explain and use publications and within the federal government, its
information products of external relationships with other
entities related to the home agency government entities, and their
or organization. impact on the library.
 understand external environments  assess and plan for emerging issues
and cultures and their impact on the and trends relating to the home
agency or organization. agency or organization publications
and information products.
 understand and use interagency and
government-wide library initiatives  assess and describe key internal
and programs. and external stakeholders and their
impact on the library.
 identify key internal and external
stakeholders.  assess and plan for external
environments, cultures, and trends
and their impact on the agency or
organization.
 interpret, explain, or propose
interagency and government-wide
library initiatives and programs.
Agency’s Regulations, Policies and Guidelines
Has knowledge of... Has knowledge, skill, or ability to… Has knowledge, skill, or ability to…
 agency’s regulations, directives,  understand and apply the agency’s  interpret and explain the agency’s
standards, and policies applicable to regulations, directives, standards, regulations, directives, standards,
10
Select appropriate competencies to meet requirements. Stages do not correspond to pay grades or pay bands.

12. the library. and policies applicable to the and policies applicable to the
 agency’s equal employment library. library.
opportunity (EEO) and diversity  understand and apply the agency’s  interpret and explain agency’s
regulations, polices, and guidelines. equal employment opportunity equal employment opportunity
 agency’s property accountability (EEO) and diversity regulations, (EEO) and diversity regulations,
regulations and guidelines. polices, and guidelines. polices, and guidelines.
 agency’s or organization’s security  understand and apply the agency’s  interpret and explain agency’s
classifications, data protection, and property accountability regulations property accountability regulations
access policies. and guidelines. and guidelines.
 agency’s records management  understand and apply the agency’s  create, assess, or modify the
regulations and policies. or organization’s security agency’s or organization’s library
classifications, data protection, and property accountability regulations
 agency’s customer access and access policies. or policies.
privacy policies.
 understand and apply the agency’s  interpret and explain the agency’s
 agency and organization records management regulations or organization’s security
information policies and products. and policies. classifications, data protection, and
 agency and organization  understand and apply the agency’s access policies.
Information Management or customer access and privacy  interpret and explain the agency’s
Information Technology (IT) policies. records management regulations
policies, procedures, and and policies.
regulations.  understand and apply information
policies and products of external  interpret and explain the agency’s
entities related to the home agency customer access and privacy
or organization. policies.
 understand and apply agency or  create, assess, or modify the
organization Information library’s customer access and
Management or Information privacy policies.
Technology policies, procedures,  assess and plan for emerging issues
and regulations. and trends relating to the home
agency or organization information
policies and products.
 interpret and explain agency or
organization Information
Management or Information
Technology policies, procedures,
and regulations.
Federal Laws and Regulations
Has knowledge of... Has knowledge, skill, or ability to… Has knowledge, skill, or ability to…
 federal laws, regulations, directives,  understand federal laws,  interpret and explain or write draft
standards, and policies applicable to regulations, directives, standards, federal laws, regulations,
the library. and policies applicable to the directives, standards, and policies
 the Federal Acquisition Regulations library. applicable to the library.
(FAR) and subordinate agency  understand and apply Federal  interpret, explain, and apply
regulations. Acquisition Regulations (FAR) and Federal Acquisition Regulations
 copyright and intellectual property subordinate agency regulations. (FAR) and subordinate agency
11
Select appropriate competencies to meet requirements. Stages do not correspond to pay grades or pay bands.

13. laws and guidelines.  understand and apply copyright and regulations.
 Freedom of Information Act intellectual property laws and  interpret, explain, and advise on
(FOIA). guidelines. copyright and intellectual property
 understand the implications of laws and guidelines.
Congressional, agency, Freedom of  develop and write responses to
Information Act (FOIA) and other Congressional, agency, Freedom of
investigative inquiries. Information Act (FOIA) and other
investigative inquiries.
12
Select appropriate competencies to meet requirements. Stages do not correspond to pay grades or pay bands.

14. Collection Management
Basic Stage Advanced Stage Expert Stage
Collection Access and Control
Has knowledge of... Has knowledge, skill, or ability to… Has knowledge, skill, or ability to…
 access to and circulation of library  interpret and apply concepts and  create, evaluate, and modify the
resources. best practices of access to and library’s access and circulation
 licenses or agreements governing circulation of the library resources. policies and procedures.
access to the library’s electronic  interpret and apply licenses or  evaluate and modify licenses
resources and digital collections. agreements governing access to the and other agreements governing
 standards for data collection, library’s electronic resources and access to the library’s electronic
management, curation, and digital collections. resources and digital collections.
accessibility.  interpret, explain, and apply  develop access policies
 remote or shared storage of physical standards for data collection, conforming to established
or digital collections. management, curation, and licenses and other agreements.
accessibility.  evaluate, select, modify, or
 interpret, explain, and apply digital create standards for data
data management plans. collection, management,
 select and use remote or shared curation, and accessibility.
storage options for physical or  evaluate and assess emerging
digital collections. trends in digital data
management
 evaluate changes and
recommend improvements in
digital data management
 formulate and adapt policies and
procedures for digital data
management plans.
 create policies and procedures
for remote access to resources.
Collection Acquisitions
Has knowledge of... Has knowledge, skill, or ability to… Has knowledge, skill, or ability to…
 Federal, agency and organization  explain and apply Federal, agency,  interpret Federal, agency and
laws, regulations, and guidelines for and organization laws, regulations, organization laws, regulations,
acquisitions practices and and guidelines for library and guidelines in developing
procedures. acquisitions practices and library’s acquisitions practices
 the library’s acquisitions policies procedures. and procedures.
and procedures.  compare and select processes and  advocate for and defend
 trends in information formatting, procedures for acquiring library exemptions or exceptions to
production, packaging, and resources. Federal, agency, and
dissemination.  interpret, explain, and apply the organization acquisition
library’s acquisitions policies and policies.
13
Select appropriate competencies to meet requirements. Stages do not correspond to pay grades or pay bands.

15. procedures.  create, evaluate, and modify the
 apply knowledge of trends and library’s acquisitions policies
changes in information formatting, and procedures.
production, packaging, and  justify and defend selected
dissemination to the library’s acquisition processes and
acquisitions policies and procedures.
procedures.  modify and adapt the library’s
acquisitions policies and
procedures in response to
changes and trends in
information formatting,
production, packaging, and
dissemination.
 evaluate and modify
acquisitions policies and
procedures in response to
changes in national or agency
funding.
Collection Development
Has knowledge of... Has knowledge, skill, or ability to… Has knowledge, skill, or ability to…
 theory, principles, and standards and  interpret, explain, and apply  create, evaluate review, and
practices in the life cycle of library theories, principles, and standards modify library collection
collections. in the life cycle of library development plans and
 principles and practices of collections. supporting policies.
collection development and  interpret, explain, and apply the  evaluate and select standard
collection development plans. principles and practices of and nonstandard bibliographic
 standard bibliographic resources collection development and resources.
used in collection development. collection development plans.  modify and adapt collection
 use of bibliographic resources in  use bibliographic resources in assessment and development in
collection development. collection assessment and response to changes and trends
development. in the publishing and
 the publishing and information information industry.
industry in relation to collection  understand how publishing and
development. information industry trends and  modify and adapt collection
changes affect collection assessment and development in
 the library’s collection development assessment and development. response to changes and trends
plans and policies. in the needs of the organization.
 explain the library’s collection
 standard collection evaluation and development plans and policies.  validate, justify, and defend the
assessment tools. library’s collection
 interpret, explain, and apply
collection evaluation and development plans and policies.
assessment tools.  influence trends and changes in
the publishing and information
industry.
 evaluate and justify exceptions
to the library’s collection
development plans.
14
Select appropriate competencies to meet requirements. Stages do not correspond to pay grades or pay bands.

16.  evaluate and select standard
and nonstandard collection
assessment tools.
 discover uses of emerging
technologies for collection
management.
Resource Protection and Preservation
Has knowledge of... Has knowledge, skill, or ability to… Has knowledge, skill, or ability to…
 theories, trends, and practices of  interpret and apply theories, trends,  assess and select conservation,
conservation, preservation, or and best practices of conservation, preservation, or archiving
archiving of physical or digital preservation, or archiving of methodologies and
resources. physical or digital resources. technologies for physical or
 tools for creating, extracting,  select and apply tools for creating, digital resources.
capturing, or migrating of metadata. extracting, capturing, or migrating  evaluating and adapting tools
 disaster planning. of metadata. for creating, extracting,
 interpret and implement the capturing, or migrating of
 the library and organization’s metadata.
disaster plans. library’s disaster plan.
 concepts of planning for permanent  interpret and implement plans for  develop, evaluate, modify, and
permanent access to information defend the library’s disaster
access to information resources. plan.
resources.
 coordinate the library’s disaster
plan with that of the larger
organization.
 develop, evaluate, modify, and
defend a plan for permanent
access to information resources.
Resource Sharing
Has knowledge of... Has knowledge, skill, or ability to… Has knowledge, skill, or ability
 concepts, principles, and guidelines  interpret, explain, and apply the to…
of library resource sharing. library’s resource sharing policies.  develop, justify, evaluate, and
 using resource sharing tools.  evaluate and select resource sharing modify the library’s resource
tools. sharing policies.
 the library’s interlibrary loan (ILL)
policies and procedures.  interpret and apply national policies  identify, evaluate, and adopt
to the library’s interlibrary loan emerging trends in resource
 using resource sharing networks. sharing practices and tools.
(ILL) policies.
 select and use networks,  interpret national ILL policies
partnerships, or consortia for in developing the library’s
resource sharing interlibrary loan (ILL) policies
and procedures.
 develop networks, partnerships,
or consortia for resource
sharing.
15
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17. Rights Management
Has knowledge of... Has knowledge, skill, or ability to… Has knowledge, skill, or ability
 digital rights laws, regulations, and  interpret, explain, and apply digital to…
guidelines applicable to the library’s rights laws, regulations, and  develop, evaluate, modify, and
information resources. guidelines. defend digital rights policies
 digital rights laws, regulations, and  interpret, explain, and apply digital and procedures for the library’s
guidelines applicable to the rights laws, regulations, and resources, programs, products,
organization’s resources and guidelines applicable to the and services.
products. organization’s resources and  develop, evaluate, modify, and
 copyright, licensing, and intellectual products. defend digital rights policies
property laws and guidelines.  interpret, explain, and apply and procedures for the
organization’s resources and
 how to use the Copyright Clearance copyright, licensing, and products.
Center (CCC), U.S. Copyright intellectual property laws and
Office, and World Intellectual guidelines.  develop, evaluate, modify, and
Property Organization (WIPO).  interpret and explain the defend copyright, licensing,
differences between national and and intellectual property
 privacy laws, regulations, and policies and procedures.
guidelines. international intellectual property
rights laws, regulations and  develop, evaluate, modify, and
 open access and Creative guidelines. defend library policies and
Commons. procedures that comply with
 interpret, explain, and apply
 differences between copyright and privacy laws, regulations, and privacy laws, regulations, and
licensing laws, regulations, and guidelines. guidelines.
guidelines.
 interpret, explain, and apply open  develop, evaluate, modify, and
access and Creative Commons. defend library or organization
policies and procedures for
 explain and apply differences open access and use of Creative
between copyright and licensing. Commons.
 read and understand licensing  coordinate with vendors
contracts. regarding Federal acquisition
guidelines on copyrights and
licensing.
 coordinate with vendors
regarding changes to licensing
contracts.
16
Select appropriate competencies to meet requirements. Stages do not correspond to pay grades or pay bands.

18. Content Organization and Structure
Basic Stage Advanced Stage Expert Stage
Content Structure, Design, and Dissemination
Has knowledge of... Has knowledge, skill, or ability to… Has knowledge, skill, or ability to…
 library content management and  interpret, explain, and apply library  design the schema and protocols
document management structures, content management and document for library content management
protocols, and systems. management structures, protocols, structures and systems.
 developments and trends in library and systems.  evaluate and select or create new
content management and document  select and apply emerging library library content management and
management structures and tools. content and document management document management structures
 principles and practices of search structures and tools. and tools.
engine optimization (SEO).  interpret, explain, and apply  evaluate and adapt the principles
 principles, practices, and trends of principles and practices of search and practices of search engine
findability. engine optimization (SEO). optimization (SEO).
 theories and principles of the  interpret, explain, and apply the  assess and modify search engine
semantic web. principles, practices, and trends of optimizer.
findability.  create, evaluate, or modify library
 principles and practices of HTML,
XML, RDF, and other encoding  interpret, explain, and apply or organization findability practices
schemes for information and data. theories and principles of the and techniques.
semantic web.  Create, evaluate and modify library
 theories and principles of linked
data.  interpret, explain, and apply the or organization semantic web
principles and practices of HTML, practices and techniques..
XML, RDF, and other encoding  create and modify library or
schemes for information and data. organization HTML, XML, RDF,
 interpret, explain, and apply linked and other encoding schemes
data techniques. practices and techniques.
 evaluate, modify, and adapt linked
data techniques.
Controlled Vocabularies, Taxonomies, Thesauri, and Ontologies
Has knowledge of... Has knowledge, skill, or ability to… Has knowledge, skill, or ability to…
 theories and principles of  apply principles, standards, and  adapt theories and develop
taxonomies, thesauri, and protocols for thesauri, taxonomies, techniques for creation and
ontologies. and ontologies. application of thesauri, taxonomies,
 principles and practices for  interpret, explain, and apply and ontologies.
identifying common words and principles and practices for  Develop, evaluate, and modify
concepts of a domain. identifying common words and library policies and procedures to
 national and international standards concepts of a domain. comply with national and
(e.g., ANSI/NISO and ISO) for  interpret, explain, and apply international standards (e.g.,
creating thesauri and ontologies. national and international standards ANSI/NISO and ISO) for creating
(e.g., ANSI/NISO and ISO) for thesauri and ontologies.
 library policies and procedures for
 evaluate changes and recommend
17
Select appropriate competencies to meet requirements. Stages do not correspond to pay grades or pay bands.

19. taxonomies, thesauri, and creating thesauri and ontologies. improvements to national and
ontologies.  apply library policies and international standards for creating
 tools to build, maintain, and display procedures for taxonomies, thesauri and controlled
taxonomies, thesauri, and thesauri, and ontologies. vocabularies.
ontologies.  select and apply crosswalks among  evaluate and synthesize across
taxonomies, thesauri, and thesauri to create new taxonomies
ontologies. and ontologies.
 select and apply tools to build,  evaluate, modify, or create
maintain, and display taxonomies, crosswalks among taxonomies,
thesauri, and ontologies. thesauri, and ontologies.
 evaluate and modify tools to build,
maintain, and display taxonomies,
thesauri, and ontologies.
 evaluate changes and recommend
improvements to existing and
emerging tools to build, maintain,
and display taxonomies, thesauri,
and ontologies.
Information Architecture
Has knowledge of... Has knowledge, skill, or ability to… Has knowledge, skill, or ability to…
 library or organization goals for  interpret and explain library or  formulate and evaluate library or
delivering information to customers organization goals for delivering organization goals for delivering
and stakeholders. information to customers and information to customers and
 structure of library or organization stakeholders. stakeholders.
content.  identify and select competitors or  analyze and evaluate competitors
 impact of customer needs on benchmarks for delivering or benchmarks for delivering
content organization. information. information.
 principles and practices of web  interpret and explain impact of  create, evaluate, or modify library
design. customer needs on content or organization, policies, and
organization. practices in response to customer
 taxonomies, thesauri, and ontologies needs in content organization.
in search, browse, and navigation  interpret, explain, and apply the
applications. principles and practices of web  evaluate and prioritize customer
design. needs in content organization.
 principles, practices, and trends of
usability.  interpret explain and apply  create, evaluate, or modify library
taxonomies, thesauri, and or organization web design policies
ontologies in search, browse, and and practices.
navigation applications.  evaluate and modify taxonomies,
 interpret, explain, and apply the thesauri, and ontologies in search,
principles, practices, and trends of browse, and navigation
usability. applications.
 create, evaluate, or modify library
or organization practices to comply
with best practices of usability.
18
Select appropriate competencies to meet requirements. Stages do not correspond to pay grades or pay bands.

20. Resource Description
Has knowledge of... Has knowledge, skill, or ability to… Has knowledge, skill, or ability to…
 theories, principles, and techniques  interpret and apply theories,  adapt theories and principles and
of information organization. principles, and techniques of develop techniques of information
 established cataloging, information organization. organization.
classification, metadata, and other  interpret, explain, and apply  create, evaluate, and adapt
content description standards and established cataloging, cataloging, classification, metadata,
protocols. classification, metadata, and other and other content description
 established non-descriptive content description standards and standards and protocols.
metadata standards, including protocols.  create, evaluate, and adapt
technical, administrative, and  interpret, explain and apply established and emerging technical,
structural standards. established non-descriptive administrative, structural, or other
 impact of customer needs on metadata standards, including metadata standards.
content descriptions. technical, administrative, and  evaluate customer needs in order to
structural standards. modify or create content
 concepts and practices of customer
participation in content descriptions.  interpret and incorporate customer descriptions.
needs in content descriptions.  evaluate and validate customer
 OCLC and other bibliographic
databases and tools.  interpret and analyze customer input to modify or create content
input to modify content descriptions
 bibliographic and authority records. descriptions.
 evaluate and synthesize data to
 schemes and protocols for existing  compare and select among multiple create or integrate new
resources or formats. bibliographic databases and tools. bibliographic databases and tools.
 principles and practices of indexing  produce bibliographic and authority  evaluate changes and recommend
and abstracting. records. improvements to OCLC and other
 principles and practices of crowd-  adapt and use schemes and bibliographic databases.
sourcing, user-tagging, and social protocols for existing or emerging  develop new standards and
and collaborative technologies to resources or formats. protocols for bibliographic and
gather descriptive data. authority records.
 interpret, explain, and apply the
principles and practices of indexing  design, evaluate, and adapt
and abstracting. schemes and protocols for existing
 interpret, explain, and apply or emerging resources or formats.
principles and practices of crowd-  evaluate and judge complex issues
sourcing, user-tagging, and social and discrepancies in the application
and collaborative technologies to of cataloging and metadata
gather descriptive data. standards and protocols.
 Select, interpret, explain, or apply  create, evaluate, and modify
crosswalks among metadata indexing and abstracting standards,
standards. protocols, and structures.
 evaluate and modify or create
crowd-sourcing, user-tagging, and
social and collaborative techniques
to gather descriptive data.
 evaluate, modify, or create
crosswalks among metadata
19
Select appropriate competencies to meet requirements. Stages do not correspond to pay grades or pay bands.

21. standards.
 Develop, evaluate, or modify
library or organization policies and
practices of metadata standards.
20
Select appropriate competencies to meet requirements. Stages do not correspond to pay grades or pay bands.

22. Knowledge Management
Basic Stage Advanced Stage Expert Stage
Knowledge Management Principles
Has knowledge of… Has knowledge skill or ability to… Has knowledge skill or ability to…
 knowledge management (KM)  interpret, explain, and apply  evaluate, select, develop, or modify
principles, theories, and knowledge management (KM) knowledge management (KM)
methodologies. principles, theories, and methodologies and techniques.
methodologies.  create, assess, or modify
 interpret and explain how people collaborative tools and knowledge
and culture affect the KM sharing methods.
processes.  explain organizational culture from
 explain and apply collaborative the perspective of employees,
tools and knowledge sharing customers, and the organization,
methods. and the larger federal environment.
KM Methodologies
Has knowledge of… Has knowledge, skill, or ability to… Has knowledge, skill, or ability to…
 knowledge sharing, assessment,  interpret, explain, and apply  create, assess, and modify
assets, and retention techniques. knowledge sharing techniques. knowledge sharing techniques.
 KM best practices.  explain and apply knowledge  evaluate outcomes and adapt
 narrative, storytelling, and assessment, knowledge assets, and knowledge assessment, assets, and
interviewing techniques. knowledge retention. retention techniques.
 knowledge (concept) maps.  explain and apply KM best  create, assess, and modify KM best
practices. practices.
 human computer interaction (HCI)
techniques.  explain and apply narrative,  evaluate outcomes and adapt
storytelling, and interviewing narrative, storytelling, and
techniques. interviewing techniques.
 explain and apply knowledge  create, modify, and adapt
(concept) mapping. knowledge (concept) mapping.
 select, interpret, and apply human  create or adapt human computer
computer interaction (HCI) interaction (HCI) techniques.
techniques.
21
Select appropriate competencies to meet requirements. Stages do not correspond to pay grades or pay bands.

23. Library Leadership and Advocacy
Basic Stage Advanced Stage Expert Stage
Administration and Management
Has knowledge of … Has knowledge, skill, or ability to… Has knowledge, skill, or ability to…
 general management theories and  employ general management  synthesize and adapt general
practices. theories and practices in the library management theories and practices
 library policies and procedures environment. to the library environment.
 localized needs and workflows.  develop and execute policies and  anticipate and plan for library
procedures aligned with library’s policies and procedures aligned
 the library and functional areas mission, goals and objectives. with the organization’s mission,
policies and procedures. strategic goals, and objectives.
 track and anticipate changes in
 specialized reports and briefings funding, policies, regulation and  create, assess, or modify the library
relating to library products, legislation that impact the library. and functional areas policies and
programs and services.
 interpret and explain the library and procedures.
 delivering library programs and functional areas policies and  evaluate and plan for changes in
services. procedures. funding, policies, regulation, and
 customer’s needs regarding  interpret and explain FLICC and legislation that impact the library.
resources allocations. FEDLINK programs and services.  develop proposals to justify library
 FLICC and FEDLINK programs  interpret, explain, and use federal projects, products, programs, and
and services. library initiatives and programs. services.
 federal library initiatives and  interpret, explain, or apply change  evaluate and modify library
programs. management and organizational programs.
 change management and development techniques.  evaluate existing or propose new
organizational development  write and implement library FLICC and FEDLINK policies,
techniques. facilities and space allocation plans. programs, and services.
 the impact of changes in funding,  advocate for and defend support of  evaluate existing or propose new
policies, regulations, and legislation the library or library functional federal library initiatives and
on the library. areas. programs.
 the principles of library facilities  evaluate outcomes and adapt
planning and space management. change management and
 advocating for support of the library organizational development
or functional area of the library. methods
 design and evaluate library
facilities and space management
plans and justify requirements.
 formulate and employ strategies to
advocate, justify, and defend
library needs.
22
Select appropriate competencies to meet requirements. Stages do not correspond to pay grades or pay bands.

24. Best Practices and Evaluation
Has knowledge of... Has knowledge, skill, or ability to… Has knowledge, skill, or ability to…
 theories and principles of library  interpret, explain, and apply  synthesize and adapt theories and
science, information content theories and principles of library principles of library science,
management, and scholarly science, information content information content management,
communications. management, and scholarly and scholarly communications to
 library and information science best communications. develop library policies and
practices, benchmarks, and norms.  interpret, explain, and apply library practices.
 library assessment tools and best practices, benchmarks, and  evaluate and select library best
measures. norms. practices, benchmarks, and norms
 select and implement tools for to design, defend, and adapt library
 advisory committees or champions policies, products, services, and
in support of library programs, evaluation of library products,
services, programs, and systems. programs.
products, and services.
 assess library products, services,  serve as the recognized authority
programs, and systems. on library and information science
principles and best practices within
 interpret, explain, and apply the parent organization.
recommendations or results of
advisory committees or champions.  evaluate complex data and
document findings.
 design, evaluate, and modify
library performance tools, and
measures.
 evaluate and explain the outcomes
of library performance tools and
measures.
 design the evaluation process for
library products, services,
programs, and systems.
 evaluate, select, and integrate
standard industry performance
tools and measures.
 assemble advisory committees and
recruit champions.
 create and modify library products,
programs, and services based on
advisory committee or champion
input.
Business Processes
Has knowledge of... Has knowledge, skill, or ability to… Has knowledge, skill, or ability to…
 federal, agency and organization  explain and apply federal, agency,  interpret federal, agency and
laws, regulations, and guidelines for and organization laws, regulations, organization laws, regulations, and
receipt, expenditure, and accounting and guidelines for receipt, guidelines in developing the
23
Select appropriate competencies to meet requirements. Stages do not correspond to pay grades or pay bands.

25. of funds. expenditure, and accounting of library’s plans, policies, and
 the principles of library financial funds. procedures for receipt, expenditure,
management, planning, and  interpret and apply library finance and accounting of funds.
budgeting. and budgeting plans, policies, and  advocate for and defend
 library licenses and other procedures. exemptions or exceptions to
agreements.  understand and apply cost analyses federal, agency and organization
to resource allocation. laws, regulations.
 federal, agency, or organizational
procurement or payment processes  interpret and explain library  formulate, defend, and execute
and systems. licenses and other agreements. library finances, budgeting, cost
analysis, and resource allocation.
 federal contracting procedures.  apply federal, agency, or
organizational procurement or  evaluate library licenses and
payment processes and systems. coordinate agreements between the
vendors and the organization.
 understand and use Statements of
Work (SOW), Requests for  evaluate, select, and justify
Proposals (RFP), or other contracting options.
contracting documents and federal  monitor contract compliance.
contracting procedures.  evaluate and select procurement
and payment options.
 evaluate and modify library
programs and acquisitions in
response to changes in national or
agency funding.
 develop and write the work
requirements and measurement
methods for Statements of Work
(SOW), Requests for Proposals
(RFP) or other contracting
documents.
Professional Development
Has knowledge of... Has knowledge, skill, or ability to… Has knowledge, skill, or ability to…
 library and information science and  distinguish the roles and missions  design and evaluate programs and
related professional associations. of library and information science services for library and information
 issues and trends in library and and related professional science and related professional
information science and related associations. associations.
professions.  identify the professional  evaluate and assess professional
 using FLICC and FEDLINK implications of issues and trends in implications of issues and trends in
educational programs and services. library and information science and library science and related
related professions. professions.
 library and information science
educational and professional  recognize emerging trends in  evaluate and assess emerging
development initiatives and library and information science. trends in library and information
programs.  interpret and explain FLICC and science.
FEDLINK educational programs  evaluate existing or propose new
and services. FLICC and FEDLINK educational
 interpret, explain, and use library policies, programs, and services.
24
Select appropriate competencies to meet requirements. Stages do not correspond to pay grades or pay bands.

26. educational and professional  evaluate existing and propose or
development initiatives and develop new library educational
programs. and professional development
initiatives and programs.
Program and Project Management
Has knowledge of... Has knowledge, skill, or ability to… Has knowledge, skill, or ability to…
 program or project management  apply program or project  design program or project
principles, methodologies, and management principles and management programs and services.
practices. practices.  analyze and synthesize the lifecycle
 project procedures, workflow  adapt and apply program or project requirements when developing,
processes, and requirements. management methodologies and implementing, and monitoring
 standard program or project practices. programs and projects.
management documentation.  execute and monitor program or  evaluate outcomes and modify
project procedures, workflows, and procedures and workflows for
processes. programs or projects
 analyze and determine project or  create policies and procedures for
program requirements. program or project management
 interpret, modify, and apply documentation
program or project management
documentation
Program Development and Outreach
Has knowledge of... Has knowledge, skill, or ability to… Has knowledge, skill, or ability to…
 principles and practices of program  apply the principles and practices  evaluate and adapt the principles
and event planning and of program and event planning and and practices of program and event
development. development. planning and development.
 principles and practices of outreach  apply the principles and practices  evaluate and adapt the principles
to existing and potential clienteles. of outreach to existing and potential and practices of outreach to
 the role of alliances and clienteles. existing and potential clienteles.
collaborative relationships in  recognize and use alliances and  create, develop, and evaluate
program development and outreach. collaborative relationships in alliances and collaborative
program development and relationships in program
outreach. development and outreach.
 identify and distinguish existing  evaluate and categorize existing
and potential clienteles. and potential clienteles to
customize programs and outreach.
Public Relations and Library Promotion
Has knowledge of... Has knowledge, skill, or ability to… Has knowledge, skill, or ability to…
 the principles and practices of  explain the value of library  interpret and explain the Return on
customer surveys or studies. programs, products, and services. Investment (ROI) of library
 library promotional materials.  apply the principles and practices programs, products, and services.
25
Select appropriate competencies to meet requirements. Stages do not correspond to pay grades or pay bands.

27.  the principles and practices of of customer satisfaction surveys or  design and evaluate customer
customer relations management. studies on customer attributes and satisfaction surveys or studies on
 library marketing activities. demographics. customer attributes and
 Social media and mobile  select and use library promotional demographics.
technologies materials.  design and adapt library products,
 implement library marketing plans. services and programs based on
results of surveys and studies.
 apply marketing research to library
products, services, and programs.  Design, evaluate, and modify
library promotional materials.
 apply the principles and practices
of customer relations management.  create, evaluate, and modify library
marketing plans.
 Explain and apply social media and
mobile technologies  select messages and media targeted
to customer attributes and
demographics.
 evaluate and select marketing
research for relevance to library
products, services, and programs.
 evaluate and adapt the principles
and practices of customer relations
management.
 evaluate library marketing
outcomes
 create, evaluate, and modify library
marketing activities.
Research Funding and Publication
Has knowledge of… Has knowledge, skill, or ability to… Has knowledge, skill, or ability to…
 scientific, technical, or social  select and apply scientific,  evaluate outcomes of scientific,
science research principles and technical, or social science research technical, or social science research
methodologies. principles and methodologies. principles and methodologies.
 research funding sources.  select and apply grant writing  evaluate and select or justify
 grant writing techniques and techniques and methods. research funding sources.
methods.  select and apply research design  evaluate and select grant writing
 research design methodologies. methods. techniques and methods.
 research writing techniques.  write, edit, or publish reports of  evaluate and select proposed
original research. research projects.
 evaluate, advocate for, or justify
research projects.
 teach grant writing techniques and
methods.
 evaluate and select grant proposals.
 evaluate, create, and adapt research
design methods, concepts, and
principles.
26
Select appropriate competencies to meet requirements. Stages do not correspond to pay grades or pay bands.