Author Archives: jweeks

Reflecting on Lifelong Learning: Insights from the Celebratory Conference at HKU by IFLA CPDWL Chair, Helen Chan

As the Chair of the IFLA Continuing Professional Development and Workplace Learning Section (CPDWL), I recently had the honor of attending a landmark event commemorating the 35th anniversary of the Comparative Education Society of Hong Kong at the University of Hong Kong (HKU), alongside the 40th anniversary of the HKU Faculty of Education, and the 30th anniversary of the Comparative Education Research Centre. This convergence of milestones provided a rich backdrop for profound discussions on the evolving needs of lifelong learning in our rapidly changing world, particularly highlighted during the keynote address on November 24, 2024.

Prof. Wing On LEE, former Executive Director at the Institute for Adult Learning, Singapore, provided the keynote speech on November 24th, titled “Comparative Lifelong Learning: Emerging Programs and Pedagogies for Developing New Knowledge and Practice for the Changing Economy”. He offered critical insights into how lifelong learning must adapt to meet the demands of what is variously described as Industry 4.0, the knowledge economy, and the future economy. The future economy includes the gig economy and platform economy, characterized by short-term contracts and the prevalence of freelance work over permanent jobs.

Prof. LEE’s insights are particularly relevant to the field of library and information science, a domain where continuing professional development and workplace learning are already integral. Lifelong learning is not a new concept for library practitioners; however, the idea of the 60-Year Curriculum (60YC) introduces a new paradigm that encourages educational models to serve an agile labor market more effectively.

Prof. LEE delivers keynote address.

60 year curriculum slide displayed with Prof. LEE at the podium.

Prof. LEE discusses 60 -year curriculum.

Lifelong Learning and Library Science

The 60YC proposes a lifelong educational pathway that encourages a new paradigm of thinking about learning and the education process and seeking to be relevant for people across a broad range of life and career transitions. It offers ongoing learning opportunities crucial for adapting to technological advancements and economic shifts. For library professionals, this could mean continuous training in digital literacy, data management, and other emerging areas crucial for staying relevant in the profession.

Workplace Learning and Library Professionals

The closest concept to the 60YC in our field is workplace learning, which, as articulated by Prof. Justina TAN and Prof. Wing On LEE in their 2024 book, Making Employee-Driven Innovation Achievable: Approaches and Practices for Workplace Learning, emphasizes the importance of learning that continues throughout one’s career. This approach is vital in library settings where the ability to innovate and continuously improve service delivery can significantly enhance user experience and operational efficiency.

Addressing Challenges and Inequalities

Furthermore, the Third International Handbook of Lifelong Learning (Evans et al., 2023) highlights several challenges, such as the low skills equilibrium and the social exclusion of vulnerable young adults. Library professionals can play a critical role in addressing these issues by providing accessible learning resources and programs that help bridge the skills gap and foster a more inclusive society.

Library and information science professionals, by leveraging their expertise in knowledge organization and dissemination, can also help mitigate the under-utilization of talents among migrants, as discussed by Marie Macauley, Ruud Duvekot, and Yann Jakub Bertier in the handbook. Making certain that prior qualifications and skills are recognized and valued is crucial for integrating migrants into their new communities.

Prof. LEE and Helen Chan

Reflection

The discussions and learnings from the conference serve as a potent reminder of the critical role that lifelong learning plays in the library and information science field. As we move forward, it is clear that embracing models like the 60YC will be essential for developing resilience and adaptability among professionals. This approach not only supports personal and professional growth but also ensures that libraries continue to serve as essential pillars of lifelong learning in their communities. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to have participated in such an enriching event and look forward to implementing these insights to further enhance the continuing professional development and workplace learning within our field.

References:

Evans K., Lee W. O., Markowitsch J., and Zukas M. (Eds.) (2023). Third International Handbook of Lifelong Learning. https://link.springer.com/referencework/10.1007/978-3-031-19592-1

Tan, J. and Lee, W. O. (2024). Making Employee-Driven Innovation Achievable: Approaches and Practices for Workplace Learning. London: Routledge.

Macau Open Access Week: Navigating the Open Access Landscape

The Macau Open Access Seminar, co-hosted by the Macao Academic Library Alliance (MALA) and University of Macau (UM), was held on 22 Oct 2024, at the UM Library to echo the International Open Access week 2024. The seminar is part of a celebration series to mark the 10^th Anniversary of the establishment of Macao Academic Library Alliance (MALA), a collaborative initiative involving ten higher education institution libraries in Macau.

The Open Access week continues with the theme from last year, “Community over Commercialization,” addressing the importance of prioritizing community-driven initiatives over profit from open access publishing.

The seminars featured speakers from IEEE, ACS and IPO publishing, giving the library and researcher’s perspective on open access. Speakers highlighted issues on promoting equitable access to open access development and benefits. Reseachers also shared criteria for evaluating the quality of OA journals, tips in avoiding predatory journals, and how to enhance research impact through OA publishing. The library also played an active role in supporting OA publishing by introducing different funding mechanisms like inclusion of transformative agreements and collaboration among research offices in nagivating funding opportunities.

Panel discussion on Open Access Publishing by different stakeholders, including researchers, publishers and library representatives.

A highlight of the seminar included the launch of the Open Access Resources Portal, a sub portal under the MALA hub that collects open access resources published by Macao academics, local organizations and government units. The portal enables users to search across all Macao OA in a one-stop search platform, aligning with the global movement towards open science and transparency in research and education.

Launch of the Macao Open Access Resources Portal on 22 Oct 2024.

The seminar was an impactful experience with a panel dicussion to raise awareness on OA for all participants, as well as a forward-thinking discussion on the future of open access. There is a need for different stakeholders like publishers, researchers, institutions, and governments to enhance funding models, as well as stronger policies to support OA initiatives. A balance between community proirities and commercial interests is also a crucial component for sustainability of OA. Collaborative efforts are the key to create an integrated and effective system to support scholarly communications.

Career development webinar for Kenyan librarians: strategies for success

On October 3rd, 2024, Nyakundi James Nyambane, the Head Librarian at Knowledge Empowering Youth (KEY Libraries) in Nairobi and a former IFLA CDPWL member, held a professional development session for information science students and early career library professionals in Kenya. The focus of the session was on professional branding and career preparation strategies, and it was delivered by invited speakers: Tatiana Usova, the Director of the Library at Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar and a member of the IFLA CDPWL Standing Committee, and Dr. Joan Murumba, an Information Literacy Librarian and Faculty at Texas A&M International University. Both speakers provided invaluable insights into creating a unique professional identity, setting career goals, managing an online presence, and being ready for the evolving job market. Forty-four people from all provinces of Kenya joined the webinar.

The session began with an exploration of the concept of a personal brand, its importance, and its connection with the notion of a professional brand. It was highlighted that professional reputation is not only about skills and qualifications but also about how people present themselves to the world. The session provided actionable steps in developing and enhancing a professional brand including self-assessment, seeking feedback from colleagues, developing a concise and captivating professional statement, creating and maintaining a compelling LinkedIn profile, and expanding a professional network.

Attendees were encouraged to join professional associations like IFLA, ALA, KLA, and AfLIA, network with information professionals inside and outside of their organizations, engage in communities of practice, find mentors, and seek out guidance from more experienced peers and information industry leaders.

The session also addressed career planning. The invited speakers emphasized the importance of setting clear goals and pursuing continuous professional development. They highlighted the need to stay on top of professional trends like research data management, OER, open access, and develop AI competencies.

After concluding the session with practical career advice and some personal stories, the speakers stayed for extra time to answer participants’ questions. The webinar proved to be of high relevance to attendees, especially those starting out in the professional field and in the early stages of their careers. Presenters received glowing feedback through the chat “Beautiful presentation!”, “Very grateful for this session”, “Amazing insights and eye-opening tips. Absolutely great presentations. Thank you!”

Russian Libraries Participate in the Global Agenda

On the 12th of August 2024 the Russian Library Association (RLA) Section for International Cooperation and IFLA Russian Language Center, based in the Russian State Library, held a round table on issues related to the IFLA international library agenda. The meeting was impeccably organized by the M. Rudomino All Russian State Library for Foreign Literature – Headquarters of RLA Section for International Cooperation – and included more than 60 online and offline participants.

Participants at the Russian Library Association (RLA) Section for International Cooperation and IFLA Russian Language Center meeting.

Annual August meetings are usually organized to discuss participation of the Russian library community in IFLA WLIC and in international library associations. This year’s agenda focused on strategic issues and priorities of Russian libraries while working in international field.

Vadim Duda, President of the Russian Library Association, President of the Library Assembly of Eurasia, and Director General of the Russian State Library delivered his vision of the RLA priorities marking the following directions: development of horizontal links with library associations and institutions that share common approaches and willingness to cooperate; strengthening of RLA’s role as a central platform for high-profile international events of the Russian library community; ensuring effective and productive participation of Russian libraries in Astana 2025 WLIC, including high level representation of delegates at the CIS Caucus.

Svetlana Gorokhova and Daria Beliakova, IFLA CPDWL SC. Members, moderate the session.

Svetlana Gorokhova, moderator of the meeting, RLA Board Member and Chair of the RLA Section for International Cooperation, and IFLA CPDWL SC member, covered activities of the Section and defined key principles of international library cooperation as the following: learning differently but never lose your own; automatic transfer of practice doesn’t guarantee effective results; successful partnerships always require value compatibility; partnership is always about equality and mutual benefit – it is a two-way street; practical solutions are trendy, no to interaction for the sake of it; international exchange serves to develop national library initiatives to ensure steady development of the country.

Representatives of the Russian national, federal, regional, and central municipal libraries participated in the meeting to discuss Russian libraries involvement in the work of international professional associations: the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA), International Library Union “Silk Road”, the BRICS Alliance of National Libraries, and the Library Assembly of Eurasia.

Representatives of the Russian national, federal, regional, and central municipal libraries discuss Russian libraries involvement in the work of international professional associations.

IFLA news was covered by three speakers: Pavel Kuzmin, Europe Regional Division Committee Member of the IFLA Regional Council, Director General of the M. Rudomino All Russian State Library for Foreign Literature, talked on his experience of working on the Division Committee and on the agenda of the forthcoming offline Division meeting in Barcelona.

Daria Belyakova, Vice Chair of the RLA Section for International Cooperation and former IFLA CPDWL SC Member talked on the IFLA Information Futures Summit to be held in Brisbane, Australia on September 30 – October 3, 2024. World librarians are waiting for the results of the Summit and especially for the updates on the IFLA Trend Report and IFLA Strategy 2024 -2029.

Albina Krymskaya, Chair of IFLA Section on Education and Training and Deputy Dean of LIS School of the St. Petersburg State Institute of Culture, spoke on international research activities of the Section and examples of effective LIS student collaboration.

Peter Lapo (Kazakhstan), Asia and Oceania Regional Division Committee Member of the IFLA Regional Council DC Member, spoke on the Astana 2025 IFLA WLIC and broad opportunities open for the Russian library community in Kazakhstan, a country with many Russian speakers. Specialists taking part in the meeting declared meaningful participation of the Russian delegation in IFLA WLIC 2025, as one of the priorities of the RLA international cooperation.

Irina Gayshun, coordinator of the IFLA Russian Language Center; Director General of the Library Assembly of Eurasia, introduced the participants to the activities of the BRICS Alliance of National Libraries and the Library Assembly of Eurasia. She presented the goals and structure of professional associations and key directions of their activities.

Daria Belyakova spoke to the participants about the International Library Union “Silk Road” and Russian libraries involvement in its activities.

In the final part of the meeting, Russian Library Association in cooperation with Serbian Library Association announced the launch of RU:RS Library Forum – a platform for international library cooperation between two national professional communities. The idea of the Forum sprang from the participation of SLA President Jelena Glisovic in the All-Russia Library Congress (May 2024, Kazan, Russia) – a meeting where more than 90 foreign specialists took part thanks to the efforts of the RLA Section on International Cooperation and the Russian State Library. The first meeting of the RU:RS Library Forum will take place during Annual Conference of the Serbian Library Association, in Panchevo (Serbia) in December 2024.

Participants of the Round Table concluded that international cooperation of librarians is an effective and powerful instrument of professional development. The process tends to become more diverse and encompasses more players reacting to global changes. Library diplomacy is a living mechanism that provides space for mutual respect of national agendas.

Celebrating #InternationalVolunteersDay and Meme Contest Success By Helen Chan, IFLA CPDWL Section Chair

Celebrating Volunteerism and Creativity in Librarianship

As we mark #InternationalVolunteersDay on December 5, 2023, we at the IFLA Continuing Professional Development and Workplace Learning (CPDWL) Section, along with the New Professionals Special Interest Group (NPSIG), extend our warmest regards and gratitude to our dedicated volunteers. Our volunteers are the backbone of our collective efforts, contributing to our library associations with innovative programs and invaluable resources.

A Tribute to Our Meme Contest Winners

The recently concluded Meme Contest was a resounding success, thanks to the creativity and enthusiasm of participants from around the globe. Congratulations to all who took part!

Applause for the Winners

We extend our heartiest congratulations to the top three memes that won our community’s hearts. Each winner has been awarded an eCertificate, meticulously designed by CPDWL Standing Committee Member Elena Corradini.

Here are the victors who managed to both amuse and enlighten us:

Mohamed Sherif Mahmoud (Egypt)

Hamid Sana (Pakistan)

Sywar Ayachi (Tunisia)

Gratitude to Our Jury and Advisors

A special thank you to our dedicated CPDWL jury members, a truly global panel that faced the challenging task of selecting the best from the best. Your discernment and commitment are greatly appreciated.

Furthermore, we thank the CPDWL advisors who participated in the voting process:

Ray Pun
Ulrike Lang
Monica Ertel
Edward Junhao Lim
Loida Garcia-Febo

Acknowledgement to Standing Committee Members and Volunteers

Our heartfelt appreciation goes to the CPDWL Standing Committee Members:

Helen Chan (Chair)
Jorun Systad (Secretary)
Joan Weeks (Information Coordinator)
Heba Ismail
Anne Reddacliff
Carmen Lei
Svetlana Gorokhova
Julia Gelfand

And a special mention to our volunteer:

Calista KY Lam

Join Us for Future Events

Your participation and contributions as IFLA volunteers empower our profession and create a vibrant community. We eagerly look forward to your involvement in the upcoming events brought to you by the IFLA’s CPDWL Section. Let’s continue to inspire and be inspired!

Thank you all once again for making a difference!

Meet Our New CPDWL Standing Committee Members

We are thrilled to introduce you to the new members of the Continuing Professional Development and Workplace Learning (CPDWL) Standing Committee. Each member brings a wealth of knowledge, experience, and commitment to lifelong learning in the library profession.

Helen Chan

Helen Chan, the current Chair of the Continuing Professional Development and Workplace Learning (CPDWL), is an accomplished academic and professional in the library and information science sector. Prior to her current role, she chaired the IFLA Professional Division Committee of Division F and the Action Plan Review Committee, which introduced the widely used ‘Infinity’ platform within IFLA at WLIC 2023. Helen’s strong academic background, including over a decade teaching the Master of Science in Library and Information Management (MsLIM) program at the University of Hong Kong (HKU), enriches her role in CPDWL. Her passion for accessible information led to the creation of a new course for Bachelor of Science in Information Management (BsIM) students at HKU. Beyond academia, Helen supports teacher-librarian training in Hong Kong and participates actively in local non-profit work, holding directorship roles in an educational fund and a local secondary school board.

Joan Weeks

Joan Weeks is the Head of the Near East Section and Turkish Specialist in the African and Middle Eastern Division (AMED) at the Library of Congress where she supervises a staff of seven, including Arab, Persian and Armenian specialists with responsibility to acquire, process, and serve the Near East Collections. Prior to this, she was a Sr. Instruction Librarian at the Library of Congress where she designed and taught courses on the Library computer systems to staff. Joan is an elected member-at-large of the American Library Association (ALA) Council, and chairs the Near East and Southeast Asian Committee of the International Relations Committee of ALA. In IFLA, she was the Information Coordinator for the Section on Education and Training (SET), promoting programs such as the webinar series for LIS students. She has a strong interest in library professional development instruction, making her a valuable addition to the CPDWL as the newly appointed Information Coordinator.

Julia Gelfand

Julia Gelfand, a staunch advocate for global communication and cooperation, has been a vibrant part of the ALA’s IRRT Roundtable throughout her career. Julia’s international experience, from Europe and Asia to the Middle East and Africa, has enriched her work with IFLA for over 30 years. She’s been a pivotal part of the Science & Technology Section, the Acquisitions & Collection Development Section, and has contributed to numerous engaging programs. Now joining the professional development section, Julia looks forward to addressing the vast changes in libraries and librarianship, from technology to open movements, in innovative ways.

Tina Yang

Having worked in the library and information industry across China, Australia, and Hong Kong for nearly three decades, Tina Yang now serves as the Associate Librarian at the University of Hong Kong Libraries. In her role, Tina leads a dynamic team in providing diverse information, learning, and research services. Tina has witnessed the transformative power of technology in libraries and emphasizes the importance of mindset and capabilities in embracing this digital shift. As a library manager, Tina values continuing education and is excited to join CPDWL, where she can collaborate with passionate professionals in fostering lifelong learning in the library profession. Tina has also served in various roles within the IFLA Regional Standing Committee of Asia and Oceania.

Jorun Systad

Jorun Systad, Library Director in Sunnfjord municipality, Norway, brings her experience from IFLA’s Libraries for Children and Young Adults section to her current role. She’s particularly interested in enhancing public library services for smaller municipalities, focusing on collaboration with local organizations. Jorun has previously worked as a reading-motivator for “Foreningen!Les” and is an active member in the Norwegian Library Association and National Library’ strategic committee for 2020-2023. Her work emphasizes the need for libraries to facilitate ongoing staff development and workplace training.

Svetlana Gorokhova

Svetlana Gorokhova, an active participant in IFLA since 1994, firmly believes in the importance of continuous learning within the library community. She is excited to join the CPDWL in providing a seamless space for professional development across all sectors of the library community.

Anne Reddacliff

Anne Reddacliff began her rewarding library career in 2001 as a volunteer. Today, she contributes to the Australian Library and Information Association’s (ALIA) Rainbow and Sustainable Libraries groups, remaining connected and inspired. With a love for writing and meeting new people, Anne is excited to bring her skills to IFLA CPDWL, expanding her influence internationally. She eagerly anticipates making new connections and contributing to the profession on a global scale.

Mingyan Li

Mingyan Li serves as the Metadata Librarian and Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Illinois at Chicago. With over 15 years of diverse library experience, she specializes in metadata workflows. A graduate of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and Bradley University, Mingyan is dedicated to advancing metadata management through innovation and accessibility.

Susan Cherono

Susan Cherono, a Librarian at the United States International University-Africa, brings over 14 years of experience in the field of Librarianship to CPDWL. With her passion for innovation and learning, she looks forward to contributing to CPDWL meetings and trainings.

Florian Forestier

Florian Forestier is in charge of social innovation and diversity politics at the French National Library and is also the project manager for the creation of the research center. He is passionate about training and development of staff skills, particularly regarding preventing discrimination and changing managerial attitudes.

Simona Marilena Bursasiu

Simona Marilena Bursasiu is a librarian at the Politehnica University of Timișoara, Romania, and an associate lecturer in the field of library and information sciences. As a former president of the Education and Training section of the Romanian Library Association, she is committed to providing online training for librarians around the world through CPDWL.

We welcome a group of dedicated professionals to the Continuing Professional Development and Workplace Learning (CPDWL) Standing Committee. Each individual brings a wealth of knowledge, expertise, and a commitment to ongoing professional development within the library and information sector. We eagerly anticipate the valuable contributions and fresh insights they will undoubtedly bring in the coming years.

For those interested in learning more about our new members, stay tuned for the upcoming issues of the CPDWL Newsletter. We will be featuring self-introductions from different standing committee members, offering you an in-depth look at their professional journeys, their passions within the field, and the unique perspectives that they bring to our committee.

Watch out for these enlightening features, and please join us once again in extending a warm welcome to our new members of the CPDWL!

Stay tuned and connected with CPDWL!

IFLA Continuing Professional Development and Workplace Learning (CPDWL) Section Blog

Inspiring information professionals write about continuing professional development and workplace learning in order to build strong librarians and libraries for the future!