Online Training Platform for Library Professionals : ANKOS Academy

Abstract

In Turkey, librarianship education is given at academic institutions offering 4 year undergraduate programs. There are no regular professional training program leading to certification for people working in library and information services. Therefore, workers employed in information services in Turkey are complaining about the lack of such professional training programs. Graduate programs leading to advanced academic degrees such as MA and PhD, are not suited for the needs of professionals in their daily activities as those degrees are used for entering the academic life or for supporting the academic background of professionals towards managerial positions.

ANKOS Academy group has started its activities in 2015 in order to offer continuous training programs for information services professionals. The programs aim to enable the professionals to advance their abilities for a better positioning in today’s pierce competition environment at national and international level. ANKOS Academy has the following objectives for professionals: • enhancing application oriented skills, • focusing on professional specialization, • transforming competencies into action.

ANKOS Academy has developed several training programs to suit the needs of today’s changing librarianship environment. Those trainings are decided to be offered online via virtual classrooms. After examination of available platforms, GoToMeeting has been selected as the medium of delivery due to its advantages in terms of...