CPD25 Applying To Study Library And Information Science … And Beyond: professional involvement
Download as PPTX, PDF1 like1,192 views
The document discusses the significance of professional involvement for individuals in the library and information science field, emphasizing its benefits such as skill development, networking opportunities, and enhancing career prospects. It outlines various forms of involvement, including formal and informal activities, and highlights the role of professional associations in providing support and resources. Additionally, it encourages early-career professionals and students to actively participate in the profession to foster personal growth and contribute to the sector.
CPD25 Applying To Study Library And Information Science … And Beyond: professional involvement
- 2. Professional involvement: why, what and how Bethan Ruddock, Project Manager, Library & Archival Services, Mimas @bethanar CPD25 Applying To Study Library And Information Science … And Beyond, November 2013 #applis13 mimas.ac.uk
- 3. Who am I? Bethan Ruddock, MCLIP CILIP Chartership mentor SLA Board of Directors (2014-2017) SLA Europe board, 2009Blog: bethaninfoprof.wordpress.com Slideshare: slideshare.net/bethanar Twitter: @bethanar Book: The New Professional’s Toolkit, Facet, 2012, http://lisnewprofs.c om/ mimas.ac.uk
- 4. What is ‘professional involvement’? Involvement in professional activities outside or not directly related to your workplace or place of study. Can be formal, such as: membership of professional bodies; volunteering for committees; giving presentations; writing articles; attending conferences; formal mentoring Can be informal, such as: blogging; tweeting; joining online discussion groups; informal/peer mentoring; sharing your work Whatever you do, it’s about learning, sharing, & participating Image used under a CC licence from http://www.flickr.com/photos/adelaide_archivist/3084159436/
- 5. Why become involved? Professional involvement is a great way to: Learn skills: especially ones you might need for career progression, but don’t have the opportunity to learn through work or study. You can practice these skills in a safe environment. Make contacts: form a peer network for mutual support, knowledge sharing, and inspiration Gain confidence through new experiences Improve your CV and get your name known by potential future employees and colleagues Give back to the sector by sharing and helping others mimas.ac.uk Image used under a CC licence from http://www.flickr.com/photos/wallyg/9029823114
- 6. Why become involved as a student/earlycareer professional? Good foundation for building your career: stand out early, gain extra skills & experience More experience/understanding of the sector can help you decide on future career directions… … And contacts can help you get there You have something to offer the profession no matter how early on in your career you are: your personal skills, experience, insights, ideas, & enthusiasm Image used under a CC licence from http://www.flickr.com/photos/41188800@N00/264892985 mimas.ac.uk
- 7. Professional associations Membership bodies, affiliated to a profession May have a Charter May qualify or register practitioners May be a charity Professional associations may: • Set standards • Develop guidelines • Advocate for the profession • Lobby decision makers • Provide ethical guidelines • Develop the profession • Provide support and guidance for practitioners mimas.ac.uk Image used under a CC licence from http://www.flickr.com/photos/birminghammag/7982273622/
- 8. What can they do for you? A professional association will do most or all of the following: • Run events/conferences/training courses • And provide awards/bursaries to attend them • Provide opportunities for networking • Provide opportunities for structured professional development • Provide chances for a mentoring or peer support program • Publish journals/magazines/newsletters/blogs • Have committees, staffed by members • Provide careers advice & employment support – throughout your career • Provide access to resources such as journals, databases, web- based training • Be based around a particular sector/area of expertise, or have sub-groups that are Image used under a CC licence from http://www.flickr.com/photos/lollyman/4424552903 mimas.ac.uk
- 9. What can you do for a professional association? • Join! • Advocate the value of the body • Get involved – offer time and talents • Provide feedback • Support other members A strong membership is necessary for organisations to have a strong voice Fiona Bradley, IFLA mimas.ac.uk Image used under a CC licence from http://www.flickr.com/photos/boston_public_library/6220572487/
- 11. Membership fees Student membership fees, 2013/14: CILIP: FREE Special Libraries Association: $40 (about £25) ARA: £12 ISKO: €15 (about £12) BIALL: £8.50 ALA: $34 (about £21) Aslib: FREE (if your workplace/university is a member) = £153 IFLA: FREE (with membership of an affiliated organisation, such as CILIP) IRMS: FREE IAML(UK & Irl): FREE (1 year) School Library Association: £47.50 ALISS: £15 ARLIS: £12 (basic) mimas.ac.uk Image used under a CC licence from http://www.flickr.com/photos/isherwoodchris/2887173612/
- 12. How to find the right association for you? • Join! • Try them out while they’re cheap • Find out about them • Read website & publications (where available – try your university library) • Talk to members • Read blog posts • Look at conference programs • What are other people in your sector/desired sector members of? mimas.ac.uk Image used under a CC licence from http://www.flickr.com/photos/iowafarmbureau/4155240059/
- 13. What if you can’t find the right organisation for you? Try creating your own! mimas.ac.uk
- 14. Conferences Current awareness, networking, new ideas. Find out what other people are doing, and what the current hot topics are. Get different points of view. Make new contacts. Meet vendors. Learn, present, share. mimas.ac.uk Image used under a CC licence from http://www.flickr.com/photos/zigazou76/7374079914/
- 15. Attending conferences • Apply to present • Presenters often get free registration • Offer to help out on a stand, or as a steward • Associations and conference organisers often look for volunteers • Will get you in for free – but you will have to do some work! • Look for bursaries and awards • SLA Europe Early Career Conference Awards • Most CILIP branches and groups offer student bursaries to Umbrella • Often student sponsored places for: UKSG, LILAC, IFLA, CILIP SIG conferences • Funders: UKeIG, John Campbell Trust • lis-awards jiscmail list Image used under a CC licence from http://www.flickr.com/photos/rainerstropek/10571523334/ mimas.ac.uk
- 16. Writing/blogging/speaking Practice at communicating with different audiences Develop confidence Share your ideas and experiences Reflect. Inspire. Influence. mimas.ac.uk Image used under a CC licence from http://www.flickr.com/photos/henkimaa/117080551
- 17. Writing/blogging/speaking Involvement breeds involvement: 43% of opportunities came from prior personal contact 41% came from previous professional achievement/involvement 16% came from ‘traditional’ methods, eg call for papers mimas.ac.uk From http://thewikiman.org/blog/?p=1603
- 18. Writing/blogging: finding opportunities Blogging: low barriers to entry – anyone can start a blog often informal writing style can cover any topic, or a variety can keep it private if you don’t want to share get into the habit of reflective writing Writing articles: association/SIG newsletters/magazines often looking for content contact editor & volunteer, or look for calls for: event reviews book reviews (might get you a free book, too!) mimas.ac.uk Image used under a CC licence from http://www.flickr.com/photos/noodlepie/9816990715
- 19. Networking It’s not all about ‘what can you do for me?’ Build a genuine connection Make friends Share experiences Remember, you have something to give, too mimas.ac.uk Image used under a CC licence from http://www.flickr.com/photos/screenpunk/3474867233/
- 20. Advocacy Advocacy may not directly affect your career, but it raises the value of the profession in society: do it!! Ulla de Stricker, ILI 2013 Advocacy starts with doing your job well, and believing in and articulating your own value… … But it doesn’t end in your workplace, your sector, or even your profession Take every opportunity to speak up about the value of libraries, librarians, and information professionals in all sectors mimas.ac.uk
- 21. Getting the most out of your involvement Reflect: before and after What I think I’ll get out of this experience: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. What I did get out of that experience: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Compare your lists. Did you get what you thought you would? What ‘extras’ did you get? What did you miss out on? mimas.ac.uk
- 22. Getting the most out of your involvement Don’t burn out! Factor professional involvement into your CPD Make sure that your involvement meets your needs Time, skills, experience Respect your limits Sometimes you need to #justsayno mimas.ac.uk Image used under a CC licence from http://www.flickr.com/photos/cinderellas_blog/4415695846/
- 23. Image used under a CC licence from http://www.flickr.com/photos/itsgreg/707054525/ 11/11/2013 23
- 24. 11/11/2013 Image used under a CC licence from http://www.flickr.com/photos/taedc/8555605808/ 24
- 25. 11/11/2013 age used under a CC licence from http://www.flickr.com/photos/three-legged-cat/2334391735/ Bethan Ruddock [email protected] @bethana 25