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Professional Development Part of the fun of becoming an information professional is the opportunity to learn new things that help you better serve your users. Professional development is so important that a commitment to continuous learning is stipulated in the codes of ethics of several professional associations. To support you in your efforts to learn more about information professions or hone your present skill set, this section will guide you to resources about: Distance Learning Professional Associations Professional News Distance Learning It is unfortunate, but true, that not every state or major city has a nearby school with a formal library science program. Fortunately, the advent of communications technology has made it possible to pursue studies as a "virtual student". Distance learning is becoming increasingly popular as library science programs expand their offerings to include students who would like to combine onsite study with online coursework, or those who may never set foot on campus. Should you wish to learn more about distance learning, we would encourage you to investigate the following: SLA's Strategic Learning and Development Center (SLDC) http://www.sla.org/professional/ An example of how professional associations like the Special Libraries Association are helping their members' continuing education by offering customized distance learning curriculums. SLIS Distance Learning Programs - Librarians and Library Science @ About.com http://librarians.about.com/jobs/librarians/bldistlearning.htm?rnk=r&terms=distance+learning A great article written by About.com site guide Tim Wojcik that briefly discusses distance learning and electronic education in the library science realm. Transforming Libraries - Issue 6 (Distance Learning) http://www.arl.org/transform/dl/ The Association of Research Libraries studies distance learning from the points of view of library students and the librarians who support the broader distance learning community. Hint: Use the ALA guide to library science education to investigate schools that offer distance learning opportunities. Top of Page  Top of Section Professional Associations There is probably a professional association to meet the needs of every information professional, but we will not try to list them all here. Instead, we will direct you to web sites who have compiled extensive lists of national associations and/or their local chapters: Organizations for Librarians @ About.com http://librarians.about.com/jobs/librarians/msuborgs.htm Tim Wojcik has gathered a short and targeted list of the major associations that many information professionals participate in. Professional Organizations in the Information Sciences http://witloof.sjsu.edu/peo/allorgs/orgs.html An exhaustive list of North American information science associations with a selection of organizations based in other countries. Maintained by the School of Library & Information Science at San José State University, the links are arranged alphabetically and seem to be well maintained. Social Responsibilities Organizations for Librarians @ About.com http://librarians.about.com/jobs/librarians/msubsrsp.htm Although it may be worth commenting on how short the list is, Tim Wojcik has a section on social responsibilities and the information professional that includes links to such organizations as the Progressive Librarians Guild and the Social Responsibilities Round Table (SRRT) of the ALA. Top of Page  Top of Section Professional News There are many ways to stay aware of current events in your chosen profession. Without restating the obvious source of newspapers, radio and popular magazines, some of the best methods include: Trade or industry publications that cover your organization's business focus. If you wonder which publications may be most relevant, talk up the best-informed people in other areas or departments and ask them how they stay so up-to-date with industry change. Organization periodicals published by various library and information science associations. You don't always have to be a member of the association to subscribe to their newsletters or magazine. If the price is too steep for subscription, see if you know a fellow professional who is a member or receives the title you are interested in, and offer to split the subscription cost. General periodicals published for the information profession as a whole. Some of the best regarded titles are: Information Today http://www.infotoday.com/it/itnew.htm Available in print and online, Information Today covers the information technology aspects of library science. Library Journal http://www.ljdigital.com/ Read it in print or view an online version. LJ covers news of interest in all types of library settings and the editorials can be thought-provoking. BUBL Journals: Library and Information Science http://www.bubl.ac.uk/journals/lis/ BUBL has developed a list of almost 100 journals in library and information science. Their links are to table of contents, abstracts,and/or full text, and there is a searchable index. Currency of links and information will vary with each journal title. Top of Page  Top of Section © Copyright 2000 Montrese Hamilton & Joan O'Kane | Last Update: April 15, 2000 Please direct technical queries about this site to the710webmasters@email.com