Continuing Professional Development and Workplace Learning Section
Strategic Plan
2008-2009
The Continuing Professional Development and Workplace Learning Section embraces all aspects of professional development and learning in the workplace in the period post-qualification to the end of a career.
New developments and trends in information and communication technology, higher expectations of users, requirements of employers and managers of libraries and information service organisations and competition from information professionals in the broader information industry emphasize the imperative for associations and institutions to be 'learning organisations' and develop their staff by providing opportunities for continuing professional development and training in the workplace; and for individuals to be responsible for their own career planning and development.
Our membership engages institutions, organisations and individuals in a community of practice which supports practical and research-related activities within our area of subject expertise. The Section also brings together those who are interested in and responsible for the quality improvement of systems for delivering continuing professional development and workplace learning programs.
Mission
The Continuing Professional Development and Workplace Learning (CPDWL) Section:
- Encourages, promotes and supports continuing professional development and workplace learning for library and information services library personnel
- provides an international community of practice for discussion, activities, and publishing related to continuing professional development and workplace learning
Goals
GOAL 1: Identify, encourage and promote continuing professional development programmes internationally for library and information personnel.
(The Profession Pillar: Support the improvement of professional practice as libraries strive to respond to needs of clients in a changing global environment; The Members Pillar: Provide programming at IFLA WLIC and satellite conferences; contribute publications)
Actions
1.1 Provide stimulating professional development programmes, including presentations at IFLA's annual World Library and Information Congress (WLIC), regular CPDWL satellite conference events, and other specialised workshops as the opportunity arises (CPDWL Section intends to hold a satellite conference in conjunction with the Milan conference in 2009 and to publish the Proceedings – in the IFLA/Saur “Greenbacks” series prior to the conference).
1.2 Collaborate and develop links with other IFLA sections and Discussion Groups in planning cooperative programmes at annual and satellite conference events)
1.3 Encourage collaboration and linkages with other IFLA sections and Discussion Groups and relevant non-IFLA bodies to publicise and promote continuing professional development and workplace learning programmes.
1.4 Explore the establishment of an award recognising a library association or institution which demonstrates excellence or significant achievement in the development and delivery of a continuing professional development or workplace learning programme.
GOAL 2: Provide opportunities for library and information services personnel worldwide to share information and develop skills that will assist them both in their own professional development and in their efforts to improve continuing education and workplace learning for their colleagues.
(The Profession Pillar: Support the improvement of professional practice as libraries strive to respond to needs of clients in a changing global environment; The Member Pillar: Provide programming at IFLA WLIC and satellite conferences; contribute publications)
Actions
2.1 Promote the work of the Section to institutions and librarians worldwide encouraging collaboration and the exchange of ideas and resources
2.2 Publish a twice-yearly Newsletter for the dissemination of information about the work of the Section and other articles about continuing professional development and workplace learning.
2.3 Moderate and promote an IFLA e-list which provides Section members and others interested in continuing professional development and workplace learning in the library and information services with a forum for collaboration and the exchange of ideas and information.
2.4 Promulgate, and translate into all of the official IFLA languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Russian, Spanish), the IFLA-approved guidelines: Continuing Professional Development – Principles and Best Practice
http://archive.ifla.org/VII/s43/pub/cpdwl-qual-guide.pdf
2.5 Develop guidelines for planning and organizing international conferences and for giving presentations in an international setting. Promote and publicise these at IFLA conferences, through the Section’s web page and via other appropriate avenues.
(see also Action 1.1, 1.2)
GOAL 3: Stimulate research into continuing professional development and workplace learning for library and information professionals.
(
The Profession Pillar: Support the improvement of professional practice as libraries strive to respond to needs of clients in a changing global environment; The Member Pillar: Provide programming at IFLA WLIC and satellite conferences; contribute publications)
Actions
3.1 Continue the series of IFLA World Conferences on Continuing Professional Development and Workplace Learning as a means of stimulating and supporting research and disseminating results through publication of the proceedings by K.G. Saur as part of the IFLA Publications Series.
3.2 Encourage and facilitate indexing of the Section’s satellite conference Proceedings in relevant indexing and abstracting services.
3.3 Alert those interested in continuing professional development and workplace learning issues, through the Section newsletter, e-list and satellite conference proceedings, to relevant research programs and research reports.
3.4 Issue calls for papers worldwide when appropriate for the themes of the open program at both the World Library and Information Congress and Section satellite conferences, in order to create a substantial pool of quality papers from a variety of constituencies
3.5 Edit a special issue on continuing professional development and workplace learning issues for a relevant international journal.
(see also Action 2.3)
GOAL 4: Expand and enhance the Section’s role and contribution within the IFLA structure.
(
The Member Pillar: Services to members; make IFLA more...beneficial for members throughout the world)
Actions
4.1 Work within the IFLA procedures to continue to extend the CPDWL institutional and personal membership, with wide international representation; develop and implement a strategic marketing plan to promote the Section's activities and recruit new members; especially institutions
4.2 Maintain effective communication mechanisms and meeting procedures for the Standing Committee, corresponding members, and Section members
4.3 Invigorate the
Section’s online IFLANet discussion list for members and/or seek other effective means of promoting discussion and knowledge sharing on issues of continuing professional development and workplace learning.
4.4 Work collaboratively with other Sections and discussion groups, in particular the Section on Education and Training, the New Professionals Discussion Group and the e-Learning Discussion Group to deliver well-planned and engaging conference activities.
4.5 Seek ways to advise and assist other Sections and Discussion Groups to promote best practices in conference presentations and workshops in order to improve IFLA sponsored events.
Revised February, 2007.
Ian Smith - Chair, Continuing Professional Development and Workplace Learning Section
