Pursuing Continuous Professional Development as a personal responsibility and business: my learning journey and experience

Abstract

Constant flux in the needs of communities, changing technologies and growth in professional knowledge demands that library and information professionals increase and update their skills on an ongoing basis. Continuing professional development is an essential tool especially with regards to the use of Information and Communication Technology. The librarian has the responsibility of pursuing an ongoing learning that will improve knowledge and skills through regular self-assessment, performance appraisal participation, monitoring developments in the profession to identify opportunities to advance in knowledge and skills; and developing a personal learning plan, to enable him make judicious choices and seek learning needed for new roles. I started my career as a library educator in a higher institution before I was laterally transferred to the library. By that time, there was no policy for staff development in the institution. Determined to develop and improve myself, I enrolled in Science Education programme when post graduate course in Library and Information Science was unavailable in nearby university. When it became available, I quickly switched over to that because of it’s relevance to my work and benefit my employer. In my daily work, I created time to read journal articles, magazines and other professional materials to improve myself. I set out a percentage of my income for self development/publication, to attend conference/ workshops and to publish books and journal articles. To my credit, I have published 5 books, 6 chapter contributions, 25 journal articles, and 57 conference and workshop attendance. We should have time for our professional development and guard our professional performance development time zealously and ensure that it is part of our work schedule. This paper highlights step by step journey, using the IFLA CPD Guidelines and how it has helped me in improving my career and service delivery to our library patrons.