Lifelong learning of librarians – learning outcomes and flexibility “The value and importance of Lifelong Learning to the Library and Information Profession” Marion Huckle, Head, Qualifications and Professional Development, CILIP Zagreb, 18th December 2008 Thank you for the opportunity to participate in your conference. I’m sorry I’m not able to be with you today but I hope that this short presentation will explain why lifelong learning is considered so important in the UK library and information profession

Lifelong learning and CPD Lifelong learning is the process by which we keep up to date. To me lifelong learning means the process of maintaining and improving personal professional knowledge, skills and competences through a variety of learning activities that occur throughout a career. In the UK this process is more often called Continuing Professional Development, or CPD. Lifelong learning includes all forms of formal and informal learning, including learning that occurs in the workplace. In order to support its members a professional institute must be able to indicate where members need to improve their knowledge and identify the value of what they have already learned. This is continuing professional development. It is also important that the professional body recognizes the diverse ways in which learning and development occur…

Lifelong learning and Libraries and Information LIS professionals have to keep their knowledge, skills and understanding up to date in order to meet the information needs of society Library and information professionals operate in all types of organisation, in both public and commercial spheres. Our customers are very demanding and expect us to help them with increasingly complex and demanding information needs. The pace of change occurring in information and communications technology means we must keep our knowledge and skill at the highest possible level, to ensure we provide an efficient and good value service.

Bachelor and Masters level degrees from UK universities Qualifications Bachelor and Masters level degrees from UK universities Academic qualifications from outside the UK Approved short courses When talking about lifelong learning it’s important to acknowledge the formal opportunities that exist to enable library and information staff to become professionally qualified and to provide good services. These include study on academic programmes and attending shorter training courses.

Attending and organising training courses What counts as CPD? Some examples of CPD: Attending and organising training courses Work experience including work shadowing Reading Conference attendance Mentoring Visits Meetings Almost every activity we do as professionals can add to our professional development. Some examples are listed on the slide Lifelong learning can lead to better job opportunities. CILIP members believe that it is important to enhance the value of their learning by reflecting on their activities and achievement. The challenge for CILIP is to provide a mechanism for measuring and highlighting these activities so that members can get better professional recognition and higher salaries.

CILIP and CPD www.cilip.org.uk Portfolios of evidence underpin ACLIP, MCLIP, CPD and FCLIP and members benefit from: Reflection Support Progression Reward www.cilip.org.uk CILIP provides a Framework of Qualifications that helps members record and assess their CPD. All CILIP’s qualifications are assessed on the basis of a portfolio: members do not have to sit more examinations to become professionally qualified. Commitment to CPD is recognized whatever the circumstance of an individual member.

individuals professional institute employers individuals professional institute CPD is a partnership between individuals, employers and professional institutions. This partnership is very important. Each partner must communicate regularly with the others so that CPD needs are identified and learning activities are provided at the right time.

CILIP, 7 Ridgmount Street, London WC1E 7AE Tel: 0 (+44) 20 7255 0500 Fax: 0 (+44) 20 7255 0501  Textphone: 0 (+44) 20 7255 0505 Email: quals@cilip.org.uk Web address: www.cilip.org.uk To find out more about CILIP’s qualifications and training activities please visit the CILIP web site. Thank you for inviting CILIP to take part today. I wish you all every success for the remainder of the conference and look forward to finding out more about your exciting project.