Continuing Professional Development: A Guide for Information Professionals

Citation

Stephens, J. (2008), "Continuing Professional Development: A Guide for Information Professionals", Library Management, Vol. 29 No. 8/9, pp. 806-808. https://doi.org/10.1108/01435120810917512

Continuing Professional Development (CPD) has become the buzzword of late due to the ever changing nature of this profession. But how to go about the process can at times be confusing and cumbersome. Brine's book “provides a framework and helpful advice” (p. 149) so that the individual can support their own continuing professional development, with the view they can adapt it according to their own needs.

This book can be read from cover to cover or picked up and consulted when needed during the phase of CPD. Brine introduces the book by setting out why people should plan for their development. He states the importance of career planning in our ever evolving world, personal assessment and encouraging others to look to the future in their career and how CPD can help them achieve their goals. This then leads onto giving examples of how to become a reflective practitioner through different learning styles. Examples of learning styles are given to allow the reader to identify their style.

After the introduction, Chapter 2 presents a SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) for the practitioner. Most people would be used to a SWOT analysis referring to a service in their organisation. But it's brilliant to turn the tables and use this paradigm on ones self, as it will help to kick off the CPD cycle. The individual needs to have a skill where they can be self critical to ensure a fair assessment is derived. The SWOT analysis can help to determine the future direction of CPD, to ensure self‐improvement is undertaken to the maximum on ones ability. Following the SWOT analysis is the training needs analysis which determines that training is needed and how to go about it, methods range from internal courses to job shadowing, role play and proof reading.

To ensure a thorough record of CPD activities is retained, Brine suggests keeping portfolios to guarantee all activities are kept on record, on paper, and that a formal record of CPD is retained, not just to gain accreditation but as a personal career map.

Next step is Brine's exploration of development programmes, with the reader encouraged to determine their own path, with examples given on the international, national, sector‐wide, regional and local activities. This allows the individual to be aware of all activities, and then seek out those that suit their needs. Such as ALIA's (Australian Library and Information Association) CPD example is given as a national initiative, other countries may also have such activities or also learn from the Australian example to develop a programme in their country.

The importance of support networks is presented. Many people may not realise that weblogs and mailing lists can be used as a support network, so it's good to see a wide range of examples given to allow individual choice. Brine deals with mentoring which is such a hot topic at the moment. He states that the qualities of both mentors and mentees is important, and some qualities include having clear goals, involved in planning their career, the wish to be motivated and have the need to develop both personally and professionally. Ideas for financing development is also given, which includes support not just from the employer.

The sixth chapter, Continuing Career Development, has many excellent motivational points such as the ever‐changing workplace, means there is now a greater need for CPD for the individual. They not only participate in CPD to keep skills up to date, but it can also be a way to advance an individuals’ career.

The final summary chapter can be used to read as the short version of the book, it sets out all points in a succinct few pages. Short blurbs are given about each section with dot points to make the process clear. The reader can alternate between reading the entire book, reading chapters at a time or just consulting the summary chapter to keep them on the correct CPD path.

Brine's book contains relevancy to all information workers, including both Library Technicians (LT's), Librarians and other Information Professionals. The title states “information professional”, which could mean that it may not appeal to LT's, limiting sales and exposure of the book to a smaller audience. The generic nature of the work means that all can benefit from its use, as it has no bias towards any specific area of this occupation. And it lays the groundwork for why the practitioner should plan their CPD and demonstrates many avenues to keep learning in ones career and how to repackage and present skills to ensure their career is always moving forward

The Universality of the book was very satisfying to see, with real examples given in UK, Australia and America, with no bias given to a specific country. Even if the example given is not relevant to the country of origin, the book gives the individual mechanisms to go and explore what is happening in their own country. For example, the ALIA CPD example is given, then UK people can approach their own professional body to see if there is a similar programme.

There are some motivational points given in Chapter 6 that would be more useful to be included in earlier chapters as it contains motivational reasons for getting CPD underway, including the reasons why CPD is important in the workplace.

The Chandos Series is aimed at the busy information professional. The books are easy to read, while also remaining stimulating and innovative. They also publish books in knowledge management, research and development management and other subject areas. Brine's book does read like a university thesis, it is clear, succinct, with many dot points and charts. This is one of Chandos Publishing's ways of making their series easy to read. This method could leave the reader wanting more substance, however, it can also instigate the practitioner to delve into other reading matter if needed. It's good to see guides coming out to assist people through this learning phase, which can at times be confusing.

Brine is clear in saying the book is not about giving career advice and direction, and individuals must seek own sources to accomplish this aspect. The author is UK based, but has a worldly view on CPD, as no bias has come through in the book with regards to a specific country. The advice given can be followed by all information professionals in the World. Brine is a library professional who has experience in mentoring and supervision, extensive library career in library and IT management, making him a first hand author for this important topic.

With the prevalence of CPD over the last few years, plus the ever‐changing work environment, it makes CPD more important for the information professional. This book will help those on the CPD path, to either get started or to keep up the momentum of this important aspect of career development. It will also help people to chunk out the work required to fulfil CPD, as well as providing an ongoing consultative book to ensure they attain and maintain important ongoing career learning.