Some good points here. If compulsory CPD is introduced what exactly is it
going to achieve? If CILIP is really going to engage with employers by this
means, then there has to be more in this package. More for the employers,
more for CILIP members. We need to know what exactly defines our
profession. Why it is so important for Librarians to be annually revalidated (is
it?). How do we command the respect and attention as professionals from our
respective employers that we so keenly seek? So, a heavy touch compulsory
CPD programme introduced say, in collaboration with an HR or employers'
association PLUS other aspects such as an undertaking by employers to only
employ CILIP members in their libraries (ha!) might be a positive approach.
However, in the real world certainly the latter idea might never happen. Unless
anduntil the whold perception of the Librarian is fundamentally re-worked. This
at a time when employers are saying "We don't need a library do we? We've
got Google, oh and we need that space too since everything's online now."
We really, really need to have a wake up call to the profession to discuss
what we are fundamentally doing and doing in the future. This above all should
be our priority before we try engaging with employers by attempting to
demonstrate that we are professionally "as good as they are" by all doing CPD.
No, Librarianship, information retrieval and knowledge management need to be
re-evaluated urgently before we start doing silly things and seriously alienating
the members we have in CILIP.
Is it too late to stop the clock and have a real "conversation"? I sincerely
hope not.
Roger Farbey
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