By Chris Martindale on Wednesday, May 23, 2001 - 06:33 pm:
Hello Bob,
You have no doubt read of the concerns expressed on Lis-Solo about the possibility of the introduction of CPD for the Profession.
Could you tell us more about the progress of this idea and say anything about the "models" you have identified for CPD from other professions.
Personally speaking i think a carefully thought out programme linked to mentoring scheme might be one way of sustaining interest from those around us and raise awareness of the contributions made in many different ways by members of the profession.
I look forward to your reply.
Chris Martindale
By Bob McKee on Thursday, May 24, 2001 - 02:57 pm:
Hi Chris
What we're doing at the moment is trying to work out the general principles of the CPD scheme; these will then go to the LA's Registration Board in late July for consideration.
Principles such as: it will be voluntary rather than compulsory; it will be based round a set of professional skills and competencies (hence the research in this area); it will be progressive (ie it will be about development, not about simply repeating earlier experience); it will be evaluative (reflecting on experience and analysing it, not just describing it);it will be periodic (so there will be a timeframe within which anyone undertaking the CPD scheme will have to produce evidence of personal/professional development); it will be recognised by postnominal letters; it will be administered and assessed through ChILIP (the new body to replace the LA and IIS); and it may well - as you suggest - include a process of mentoring. The main model we're looking at is the CPD scheme recently introduced by ALIA, the Australian Library and Information Association.
We were discussing this yesterday at the Implementation Working Group meeting, and Keith Webster volunteered to draft an initial paper in consultation with various colleagues. Once we're a bit further down the road it would be good to get member views on the set of principles which will underpin the eventual scheme.
Thanks for raising this.