CPD tips for new professionals

As co-founders of the New Library Professionals Network (NLPN), we like to think we know a thing or two about the library and information sector from the perspective of a new professional. If you are not familiar with us, we organise free events (predominately in the North of England) focusing on topics and skills that are relevant to new (or not so new) professionals. We also use social media (Twitter @NLPN_ and our blog at nlpn.wordpress.com) to highlight news, events and experiences within the sector.

We are passionate about continuing professional development, so we thought we would use this opportunity to share some tips on CPD for those who may be daunted by the prospect. Thus, if you began the year with a focus on CPD but your enthusiasm has slightly waned, don’t be hard on yourself, reading this counts as CPD!

Where to start?

Identify an area you want to explore further – use job descriptions for jobs that you might be interested in to identify skills you would like to develop/gain or reflect on your own current knowledge and set of skills. Regardless of what stage you are in your career, CILIP’s PKSB is a useful way to identify potential areas for development.

Identify potential barriers – it is easy to get overwhelmed and think that you should attend every event/conference/web chat going, however, time and cost are barriers. Some ways to overcome these barriers include:

• Set realistic goals – be kind to yourself and your purse

• Join a special interest group – this will enable you to apply for any sponsored conference places they offer

• Use social media – if you can’t attend in person, it doesn’t mean you should miss out on CPD. Follow hashtags for conferences, join in with Twitter chats, journals clubs and access webinars – these all count as CPD.

Once you’ve begun…

Tailor the CPD to you – CPD has evolved beyond going to conferences and being vocal.

There are multiple ways to enhance your CPD that will suit your personality and needs. For those who prefer face-to-face CPD, conferences, library camps, workshops (such as those provided by CILIP, LIHNN and NoWAL) and joining a committee are great ways to learn more about different sectors. However, if the prospect of face-to-face CPD brings you out in a cold sweat, why not consider the following: an online journal club, Twitter chats (start by reading the conversations and gradually build up your participation), joining in unorganised conversations on Twitter, or signing up for a webinar.

Reflect – it is important to reflect on what you have learnt at regular points throughout the year and often you’ll be surprised by how much you have learnt! Reflection also enables you to continue to identify any gaps in your knowledge and plan for how you will resolve these gaps over time.

To help you get started, we have highlighted six ways to enhance your CPD this spring:

• LIS Student space: CILIP London Members Network, 11 April, London (free to CILIP members).

• Job shadowing – a great way to explore sectors, meet different library and information professionals or to share your knowledge with others.

• #UKLibchat – an online Twitter chat that is held once a month. The next chat will be on 9 April, 7-8pm GMT.

• NLPN – our next (free) event is being held at the Friends’ Meeting House in Manchester on Saturday 12 May, from 10am-4pm.

Librarians with lives podcast – listen to librarians discuss their careers and CPD paths with Jo Woods.

Reading blogs: there are some great library blogs across a variety of topics.

Some of our favourites include Jess does teaching, hack library school and Ned Potter’s blog .

For more tips on CPD, visit our blog where you can find a set of top tips on CPD.

What topics would new professional readers like to hear more about? Email us to let us know.