ACRL College & Research Libraries News

College & Research Libraries News

Continuing Library Education—II

This month’s guest editor is Julie A. Carroll Virgo, executive secretary of ACRL. Before coming to ACRL, Virgo was the director of education with the Medical Library Association. She currently serves on the board of directors of the Continuing Library Education Network and Exchange (CLENE ).

The term “continuing education” encompasses a large variety of activities. Most commonly thought of, perhaps, are the short-term workshops or institutes that are presented by associations, library schools, and commercial organizations. As conceptualized by the ACRL Continuing Education Committee, the term includes not only these more formal activities but also experiences such as on-the-job problem solving, keeping up with the literature in the field, discussing a problem with a colleague, preparing a budget in a new or different way, writing a report, working on a project-oriented committee, developing interpersonal skills, and even visiting the exhibits at a professional meeting.

Continuing education is any experience that helps the individual perform better or with increased satisfaction in a present job, or in a job to which he or she aspires.

Sometimes one hears the argument, “Why should I bother with professional development or growth? I do not receive additional salary increases or promotions if I do these things and my colleagues do not; or, my employer does not pay my way to meetings.”

Such rewards as increased salaries, promotions, and tenure are external rewards that are certainly nicer to have than not to have. But more important are the internal rewards. The ever-changing interest in one’s job, the intellectual stimulation of attacking old problems in imaginative better ways, the challenge of attempting new situations and stretching one’s skills, contributing to a profession that is moving, fluid, and responsive—it is for these reasons that we need to develop continuously, to continue our education.

For some library staffs it is difficult to attend meetings because of cost, geographical distance, or because there is no one else on staff to provide service if someone is gone. Formal programs are not the only ways in which to nurture a fertile mind. Consider establishing a staff development program in your own library. Explore a topic of use to your library. Form a journal club or discussion group. Borrow films or kits that have been developed by others and use them as the basis for your group’s activities.

An example of such a kit is one titled The Librarian s Game, which was developed under a grant from USOE. It was designed to help train librarians in improving library service and includes a set of participant manuals and administrator manuals, budget and performance sheets, grant application forms, an assortment of “client demands,” and a map of the hypothetical region within which the game is played. It is available for $27.50 from Harwell Associates, Pinnacle Rd., Harvard, MA 01451.

Many community college libraries have excellent film collections dealing with management skills, budgeting, human relations, and other topics relevant to effective librarianship. And do not overlook the books in your own library. Involvement does take time and effort, but the investment can make your job personally much more interesting.—Julie A. C. Virgo, Executive Secretary‚ ACRL.