Certification of continuing professional development for librarians in Singapore

1. Certification of continuing professional development forlibrarians in Singapore ChoyFatt Cheong University Librarian Nanyang Technological University Nov 2010

2. Knowledge obsolescence Library school Continuing certification Professional Development Scheme (PDS) To live to old age, one must learn till old age INTRODUCTION . . . . . Continuing learning & professional development. .. . . . . . Prof Qualification Role of library associations Advocacy of profession – Prescription of competencies & training requirement – Provision of training activities – Promotion of professional development and advancement Establishment of PDS by the Library Association of Singapore (LAS)

3. ABOUT SINGAPORE ABOUT SINGAPORE Population : 4.2 million, Area : 690 km2 China Thailand Philippines Vietnam Cambodia < 70 Libraries National + Public libraries (29) University libraries (3 + branches) Polytechnic libraries (5) Special libraries, school libraries Malaysia Indonesia ≈ 500 - 700 professional librarians SINGAPORE 400 are members of the Library Association of Singapore Australia

4. Discussed recommendation for professional development Decided on establishing infrastructure for CPD Proposed Professional Development Scheme (PDS) Focus on recognition (certification) of CPD effort Sought in-principle agreement from Council of Chief Librarians Worked with LAS Training & Development Committee Post discussion paper on LAS Website Held forum to discuss scheme & elicit feedback Approval by LAS Council LAS set up PDS Implementation Group PDS ESTABLISHMENT PROCESS Process began in 2006 Professional development scheme implemented in 2009

5. Within 2 years ED (Expertise Development) 500 Engage in activities to pick up points ID (Industry Development) 400 SD (Self Development) 100 + + = 1,000 pts 1000 PDS Board Submit records of activities for approval Applicants tally up points May submit in any quarter Board verifies & decide 5 members appointed by LAS Names listed in LAS website for 2 years Get gazetted as PP (Practicing Professional) Entitled to use PPLAS designation PDS SCHEME IN BRIEF 1 mth public scrutiny of PDS records

6. CATEGORIES OF ACTIVITIES Activity groups Description Points ED Activities that will help to upgrade and improve the skills and knowledge of practitioners 500 Expertise Development ID Activities that keep the practitioner informed of current developments in the information industry 400 Industry Development SD Activities that help the practitioner improve on work productivity, management skills and general knowledge 100 Self (Personal) Development

7. ED-EXPERTISE DEVELOPMENT - TYPES OF ACTIVITIES Participate in conference, seminar, workshop, briefing – face-to-face or online 17 – 160 points TRAINING Participate in internship Speaker at forum, chair of session PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES Member of committee of professional bodies 29 – 176 points Participate in mentorship scheme Write paper for conference, present posters Publish journal paper or book 50 – 220 points AUTHORSHIP Write feature articles for news bulletin, official blog Personal reading 100 points PROFESSIONAL READING Participate in reading circles Maintain blogs on professional matters 500 Engage in independent learning project

8. TYPES OF ACTIVITIES ID & PD - TYPES OF ACTIVITIES Participate in talks, forums, discussion 24 – 70 points INDUSTRY KNOWLEDGE DEVELOPMENT Participate in product/service briefing & demonstration by vendors Attend library related exhibitions Study visit to other libraries 400 Participate in any self development or productivity courses not directly related to library & information work PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT 26 - 32 points 100 1,000

9. TYPES OF ACTIVITIES PROCESS

10. TYPES OF ACTIVITIES MORE INFORMATION http://sites.google.com/site/laspds09/Home OR www.las.org.sg

11. TYPES OF ACTIVITIES CONSIDERATIONS IN DESIGNING PDS To engage, not prescribe Up to individuals to plan their professional development – does not prescribed specific courses or training Encourage a wider perspective of continual professional development, not just training Emphasize that CPD covers a broad spectrum of activities Caps on weightage requires participant to engage in various types of activities Steer professional development activities towards certain direction ED to build skills and knowledge ID to keep updated PD for honing up on personal effectiveness

12. TYPES OF ACTIVITIES OBJECTIVE OF PDS Concrete recognition of effort in CPD and training Most librarians already engaged in training and CPD Continuous certification an extension of MLS requirement Encourage ALL librarians to engage in CPD Help remove barriers in pursuing CPD Prescribed industry standard will convince organizations to support CPD Help organizations align staff CPD with industry goals Align & place higher focus on library & information work PDS has components not commonly included in staff training programmes Industry standard – provide common yardstick Common standard on type of CPD activities & intensity of effort PP certification is portable Adapted for our circumstances Take account of small profession, no full-time secretariat support PDS must be simple to implement and maintain

13. Tie annual performance appraisal with attainment of PP status Promotion to higher grade requires attainment of PP status New recruits must have PP (except for entry level) Provide other incentives for staff to attain PP Success depends on : Fit in with current emphasis on training & staff development Minimum acceptance costs for employers Raise expertise & professional standing Endorsement by majority of employers Accepted by profession at large CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTORS Employers must :

14. Raise overall expertise level of the profession Increase in better informed, up-to-date & skilled librarians Librarians & the profession will be more aware and attuned to industry needs Greater interaction in the profession – leads to more synergies & growth opportunities Attract more training providers & better quality programmes More variety & number of professional activities Increase local knowledge base – from requirement in sharing & publications Shows a progressive and responsible profession Better chance of remaining relevant and valuable to society IMPACT ON THE PROFESSION Roll-on effects : Raise profile & image of the profession

15. THANK YOU CHOY FATT CHEONG fcchoy@ntu.edu.sg CONCLUSION CPD has always been a central focus for library work – we help others do their CPD effectively PDS is an important response to the challenges of our Era It establish an infrastructure that commit librarians to life-long education and professional development