Dr. Eva Hornung discusses continuing professional development (CPD) for one-person librarians, emphasizing its importance for both professional growth and organizational effectiveness. She highlights various CPD activities, including formal courses and informal learning experiences, and advocates for maintaining a portfolio to document these activities. The presentation encourages librarians to recognize all forms of learning as valuable in their development.

1. Good CPD
Practice
Dr. Eva Hornung, CDU/TCD

2. Outline of talk
– Quick introduction
– What is CPD?
– Some ideas about portfolios
– Feedback on how you are using portfolios

3. Some background
– Committee member of A&SL section of LAI
– My own background as a solo librarian
– Research into CPD for one-person librarians:
– How do people experience CPD?
– What kind of CPD are they engaged in?

4. A new model of understanding
CPD
CPD is…
Upskilling for the sake of the organisation/library service (service orientation)
Developing as a professional librarian (LIS profession orientation)
Helping you to do all the jobs an OPL does (OPL orientation)
When you have learned something and you want to do things in a better way when
you come back (personal orientation)
Your development as a human being (lifelong learning orientation)

5. Types of CPD

6. CPD activities
Formal (academic) courses, training and workshops
Visiting another library/Shadowing another professional
Reading something on your smartphone on the way home: blog, article
Spending time in the local museum and coming back with new ideas
Meeting other librarians/professionals and exchanging ideas
Reading newsletters from vendors, booksellers
Doing a MOOC or attending a webinar
Being involved in committees: work, your local GAA club, tenants’ association
Teaching someone a new skill
ON THE JOB LEARNING!

7. CPD you can do!
– As this research has shown, not only formal opportunities count
– Some things don’t cost any money
– Some CPD activities don’t need your manager’s approval
CPD is all kind of learning!

8. Portfolio

9. What’s in a portfolio?
BASIC VERSION: A list of CPD activities with pieces of evidence
ADVANCED VERSION:
- A reflective statement
- Your CV and a job description

10. Why start a portfolio?
- A record of learning and work done
- You might need evidence for your PMDS/a promotion
- You might look for another job
- Celebrate your achievements!

11. Outline of a portfolio

12. Are you using portfolios?
Some feedback:
Who is using portfolios already???

13. Take home messages
Start collecting bits – TODAY!
All types of learning activities count as CPD!

14. Any questions?

15. References
Hornung, E. (2015). Continuing professional development of one-person
librarians in Ireland: A Qualitative Study. Literacy Information and Computer
Education Journal (LICEJ), 6(3), 1950-1955. Retrieved from: http://infonomics-
society.ie/wp-content/uploads/licej/published-papers/volume-6-2015/Continuing-
Professional-Development-of-One-Person-Librarians-in-Ireland-A-Qualitative-
Study.pdf
Owen, K., & Watson, M. (eds) (2015). Building your portfolio: The CILIP guide.
3rd edition. London: Facet Publishing.

16. THANK YOU!
hornunge@tcd.ie