Statement 1: The importance of Continuing Professional Development (CPD)

A Library and Information Services (LIS) professional’s role is multifaceted and dynamic: quester, interpreter, custodian, collaborator and benevolent gatekeeper – a conduit between library patrons and resources that are in constant evolution (Arua, 2022). Library clientele expect immediate access to physical and digital collections in varied formats, adaptive lending systems, assistance with a diverse range of needs, technological competence and personalised service as “trusted and expert guides to the world of information” (Australian Library and Information Service, 2021, p. 55, Ex Libris, 2022).

To effectively meet current and future expectation continuing professional development (CPD) is a fundamental practice requiring constant self-education, motivation, adaption of new skills to benefit patrons and stakeholders, and familiarity with information trends and issues. The International Federation of Library Associations (IFLA) states that LIS personnel follow best practice through:

  • “Regular self-assessment congruent with job responsibilities and aspirations
  • participation in performance appraisals
  • observation of developments that impact the profession (seeks out and uses opportunities to close competency gaps and to advance knowledge and skills)
  • development of a personal learning plan (with) judicious choices of formal and informal learning resources
  • seeking learning needed for present responsibilities before preparing for a new position” (Varlejs,J., Lewis, V., Schnuer,S. & Jara de Sumar, J. 2016, p.9).

As an “enabler to creativity and innovativeness” (Arua, 2022, p.2) CPD will benefit the patrons I encounter, our community, the LIS profession and my librarian career of life-long learning.

References

ALIA Australian Public Library Alliance (2021). Standards and guidelines for Australian public libraries. file:///Users/beckihyde/Downloads/apla-alia_standards_and_guidelines_2021_0-1.pdf

Arua, G. (2019). Pursuing continuous professional development as a personal responsibility and business: my learning journey and experience. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/363832955_Pursuing_Continuous_Professional_Development_as_a_personal_responsibility_and_business_my_learning_journey_and_experience

Ex Libris. (2022). Three trends shaping the future of libraries. https://www.libraryjournal.com/author?query=Ex%20Libris%20A%20ProQuest%20Co.

Varlejs,J., Lewis, V., Schnuer,S.  & Jara de Sumar, J. (2016). IFLA Guidelines for continuing professional development: principles and best practices. https://repository.ifla.org/handle/123456789/1111