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Digital Skills Resources for Washingtonians: For Library Staff

Walk-through of available resources, learning paths, and value of outcomes.

For Interested Libraries

  • Washington State Library offers self-paced certification prep courses and exam vouchers to the public through local libraries.

  • Any Public, Tribal, Academic or Special Library can provide these prep courses & exam vouchers to their cardholders, even if you do not have the staffing or facilities to proctor the exams.

  • Your library can offer prep courses (called LearnKey courses)  through the GMetrix Platform.

    • This option requires at least one staff member to be trained to use the GMetrix platform. (Takes about 20 minutes)

  • Your library can offer FREE exam vouchers to patrons who have prepared to take an exam.

    • WSL requires that libraries screen patrons to ensure:

      • the patron lives, works or attends school in Washington State.

      • the patron has passed a practice test (can be provided by the library) OR can show they earned a passing grade in a formal course on the exam topic.

  • Libraries can to train staff to proctor certification exams. 

    • Proctoring exams requires further staff training and an agreement between the Library and Certiport.

    • Exams can be delivered in-person at the library or library staff can proctor exams for patrons remotely. 

    • Both options require some involvement of your IT department.

    • Pearson offers three software options for proctoring exams.  All three require some level of involvement from your IT Department. (see below)

  • No staff time to proctor Exams?  No Problem!!  Libraries can opt to refer patrons to free WSL's FREE remote proctoring service. (see below)

Proctoring with Compass, Compass Cloud & Exams From Home

Library staff can proctor exams for the public through Certiport's three proctoring software options:

Refer Patrons to FREE Proctoring

Washington State Library now offers libraries access to a third party proctoring service, Get Certified America.

  • HOURS:
    • GCA offers proctoring services Monday-Saturday (Limited Saturday availability June-August)
      • Monday: 8am-7pm pst
      • Tuesday: 8am -7pm pst
      • Wednesday: 8am-7pm pst
      • Thursday: 8am-7pm pst
      • Friday: 8am-3pm
      • Saturday: 8am-1pm
  • LANGUAGES:
    • GCA proctors can proctor exams in English and Spanish, and can work with candidates who speak Korean, Chinese and Japanese.
      • Patrons can take the exam in any of the languages for which it is offered.
  • EXAM DELIVERY:
    • GCA proctors can proctor patrons in your library's Certiport testing portal.
      • This allows your library to keep all records of exam delivery and outcomes.
    • You can refer patrons directly to GCA to be proctored.
      • There are multiple ways to refer a patron. Please reach out to Joyce.Abbott@sos.wa.gov if your library is interested in referring your patrons to be proctored for free!
  • ACCOMMODATIONS: 
  • TECHNICAL SUPPORT & BACKUP:
    • GCA's IT team will proactively contact scheduled testers when there is an outage or technical issue.  
    • GCA proctors will handle all scheduling and rescheduling per your library's policy.
    • GCA proctors can take over a scheduled exam session if you are short staffed, please provide 1 day's notice.
  • INTERESTED?
    • Please reach out to Joyce.Abbott@sos.wa.gov if your library is interested in offering your patrons free proctoring for their certification exams.

Promotional Materials & Swag

Request Free Promotional Materials for your Library here

  • Arrives USPS allow 2-4 weeks for delivery

Download Promotional Resources for your Library Here

  • Includes promotional resources, research, success stories, etc.
  • Includes data sheets and guides for all exams offered by Pearson

Want to Host a Test Fest?

  • A Test Fest is an all-day or multi-day event where patrons can get their exams proctored, and libraries provide additional support for learners. 
  • This is a great option for partnering with local schools, a great addition to a job fair, or a way of promoting these resources to the public.
  • Contact Joyce.abbott@sos.wa.gov for assistance setting up a test fest.

Need Swag?

  • Take your program or event to the next level with incentives and giveaways.  

Library FAQs

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