This document discusses a framework for lifelong learning and teaching competencies for library professionals. It proposes adopting a competency-based paradigm to enhance the comparability of learning outcomes for library education programs internationally. This involves defining core competencies for the field and developing standards, frameworks and tools for transparency, equivalency and recognition of qualifications between countries. The document recommends that organizations like IFLA and national library associations play a role in facilitating greater cooperation between stakeholders and supporting professionals' continuous learning and career development based on competencies.

1. A.M.Tammaro New Librarians Global Connection, Oct. 26th, 2015
A framework for lifelong learning and teaching:
the competencies paradigm and
Library Associations
Anna Maria Tammaro
(IFLA Library Theory and Research Section)
October 26th
, 2015

2. A.M.Tammaro New Librarians Global Connection, Oct. 26th, 2015
Outline
● International dimension of the librarians
● Prior research on equivalency and reciprocity of
LIS education
● Learning outcomes and competencies
● Cooperation standards & tools
● Individual responsibility & relationship
● Transparency & recognition
● IFLA role? Library Associations role

3. A.M.Tammaro New Librarians Global Connection, Oct. 26th, 2015
Internationalising the profession
Local & Global Accreditation & Recognition
Global
Local
Mobility
Comparison and Improvement
Accreditation
Recognition
Harmonised core content
Learning outcomes
International Quality indicators
Distance learning
Labour market
Joint courses
National Quality indicators
Cooperation and mutual recognition
Library Associations role
ECTS, ECVET
European Qualification Framework
Body of knowledge
Lifelong learning
Competencies

4. A.M.Tammaro New Librarians Global Connection, Oct. 26th, 2015
Equivalency and Reciprocity &
LIS Professional Education
● Prior Research on Equivalency
● No unique model for Quality Assurance
● Anglo-American model:
● Accreditation
● Certification
● Graduate (Master’s Degree) Programs

5. A.M.Tammaro New Librarians Global Connection, Oct. 26th, 2015
Equivalency and Reciprocity & LIS
Professional Education
● Prior Research on Equivalency
● Other Global Models
● Adoption of Anglo-American model
● Undergraduate degree model
● iSchool model

6. A.M.Tammaro New Librarians Global Connection, Oct. 26th, 2015
Paradigm
Learning outcomes/Competencies
● Lifelong Learning and Continuous Professional
Development
● Skills and knowledge essential for the
successful library and information professional
in the twenty-first century
● Aims to enhance the comparability of learning
outcomes, especially if described as
competencies that are relevant for academic or
professional practice.

7. A.M.Tammaro New Librarians Global Connection, Oct. 26th, 2015
What competencies are and are not
● They include skills, knowledge
and attitudes demonstrating
excellent performance
● Spencer and Spencer (1993)
define competency as basic
features of a person which is
associated with a superior
performance in a situation.
● Competency is the skills and
knowledge an employee gains
to optimize her/his personal
development and job growth
Lorriman (1997)
They do not include knowledge but
the manifestation of knowledge
application which produces
success
They include skills but only the
manifestation of skills which bring
to success
Competencies do not include
work activities but are
observable behaviours in these
activities

8. A.M.Tammaro New Librarians Global Connection, Oct. 26th, 2015
Cooperation between many actors
● What if there is a cooperation gap?
Librarians Library Schools
Government
Employers
Library Associations role?

9. A.M.Tammaro New Librarians Global Connection, Oct. 26th, 2015
Individual responsibility &
social relationship
● Librarians have to take a personal responsibility
for developing their own skills, competence and
career continually
● Level of competencies and Continuous
Development Plan negotiated with employers
● Benefits of a competency framework and of
intermediaries (coaches, mentors, facilitators,
etc.)

10. A.M.Tammaro New Librarians Global Connection, Oct. 26th, 2015
Transparency
● Actors should collaborate transparently on
shaping the competencies paradigm
● When the actors think (and act) together they
need standards, common frameworks and
tools:
● Registry of qualifications
● Body of knowledge, competencies frameworks
● Credits framework

11. A.M.Tammaro New Librarians Global Connection, Oct. 26th, 2015
Recognition
● The increasing need to obtain national
recognition of foreign qualifications has posed
challenges to national recognition bodies.
● Recognition leads to administrative and legal
problems for the individuals concerned.

12. A.M.Tammaro New Librarians Global Connection, Oct. 26th, 2015
Is there a IFLA role?
● Assure transparency
● Guidelines for Professional
Library/Information Educational
Programs
● Guidelines for Continuing Professional
Development Best practice
● Subject
benchmarking
● Guidelines for Information Literacy for
Lifelong Learning
● Foster cooperation
World Guide to Library, Archive and
Information Science Education
● Facilitate equivalency
& recognition
● International Guidelines for
Equivalency and reciprocity of
Qualifications for LIS Professionals.
Draft guidance document for
transparency, equivalency and
recognition of qualifications

13. A.M.Tammaro New Librarians Global Connection, Oct. 26th, 2015
Professional knowledge body
1. The Information Environment, Societal impacts of the information society, Information Policy and
Ethics, the History of the Field
2. Information Generation,Communication and Use
3. Assessing Information Needs and Designing Responsive Services
4. The Information Transfer Process
5. Information Resource Management to include Organization,Processing, Retrieval,Preservation
and Conservation of Information
6. Research, Analysis and Interpretation of Information
7. Applications of Information and Communication Technologies to all facets of Library and
Information Products and Services
8. Knowledge Management
9. Management of Information Agencies
10.Quantititive and Qualitative Evaluation of Outcomes of Information and Library Use
11. Awareness of Indigenous Knowledge Paradigms

14. A.M.Tammaro New Librarians Global Connection, Oct. 26th, 2015
Supporting Library Associations
● IFLA supports and encourages library
institutions and associations to have a role in
Continuing Professional Development and
facilitating recognition of qualifications

15. A.M.Tammaro New Librarians Global Connection, Oct. 26th, 2015
References
● IFLA Guidance document for recognition of qualifications
http://www.ifla.org/files/assets/set/Guidance_document_for_recognition_of_q
ualifications_2009-3.pdf
● IFLA Guidelines on Information Literacy for Lifelong Learning
www.ifla.org/files/assets/.../ifla-guidelines-en.pdf
● IFLA Continuing Professional Development: Principles and Best Practice
http://www.ifla.org/publications/continuing-professional-development-
principles-and-best-practices
● IFLA Guidelines for Professional Library/Information Science Programs
http://www.ifla.org/publications/guidelines-for-professional-libraryinformation-
educational-programs-2012
● Lorriman, John (1997). Continuing Professional Development: a Practical
Approach. Managing your CPD as a professional engineer, London, IEE
● Lyle M. Spencer, Jr., and Signe M. Spencer. Competence at Work (1993).
New York: Wiley