Education and Training Section
Strategic Plan
2006-2007
Mission
The Education and Training Section (ETS) of IFLA has as an ultimate mission to improve Library and Information Science education and to strengthen the link between basic education and continuing education or continuing professional development for librarians and paraprofessionals.
It is important to work towards profiling the profession in relation to both the educational systems in different countries and the professional bodies and other stakeholders. It is especially important to focus on the educational situation in developing countries.
As education and training are relevant for all of IFLA's Divisions and Sections, in supporting the IFLA activities for Information Society, ETS will actively cooperate with any of these. The Section will act as an advising body in relation to other Sections in IFLA in all matters concerned with educational questions and in relation to the development process.
Goals
1. Foster international cooperation on basic and continuing education of library and information science (LIS) educators and practitioners.
(Professional Priorities: (h) Developing Library Professionals)
Actions
1.1 Take action to establish a high degree of participation and work delegation among all elected members of the Section
See also under 2, 5, & 7
2. Uphold and strengthen the academic and professional status of LIS - staff through international recognised qualifications for LIS - positions.
(Professional Priorities: (h) Developing Library Professionals)
Actions
2.1 Revise Guidelines for LIS Educational Programmes in the light of professional development and continuous change
2.2 Plan to maintain the online database on quality assurance in LIS Educational Programmes, started with the survey of quality assurance models.
3. Maintain a current directory of world-wide LIS educational programmes, including continuing education.
(Professional Priorities: (h) Developing Library Professionals)
Actions
3.1 Determine feasibility of updating World Guide print publication in 2006 and management of the database.
4. Foster the multicultural principles of IFLA
(Professional Priorities: (h) Developing Library Professionals)
Actions
4.1 Explore ways to have corresponding members of the section from cultures and countries not represented on the Standing Committee to become more active through more regular communications with the Section. (In the past we have not been successful in establishing communications with our corresponding members thus limiting our ability to have as much cultural diversity on ETS that might be desired.)
5. Disseminate information on innovative curriculum development and creative teaching methodologies and materials
(Professional Priorities: (h) Developing Library Professionals)
Actions
5.1 Newsletter: Issue a newsletter twice a year in print and electronic format. A special focus will be emerging issues in library and information science education, including curriculum development and teaching methodologies and materials on literacy and digital librarianship.
5.2 Produce workshops and programs at IFLA conferences on curriculum development and creative teaching methodologies and materials and disseminate the content of these programs in the Newsletter to the membership of the section.
See also under 7
6. Establish new professional guidelines to encourage the incorporation of new knowledge, skills and competencies in traditional and open and distance LIS education programs
(Professional Priorities: (i) Promoting Standards, Guidelines and Best Practices)
Actions
6.1 Take action to develop guidelines and a Model Curriculum for Digital Librarianship
6.2 Revise Guidelines for Professional Library/Information Education Programs, 2000.
6.3 Continue sponsorship of "E-Learning" discussion group.
7. Foster a process that encompasses both standard educational requirements and continuing education as focus for the work of the section
(Professional Priorities: (h) Developing Library Professionals)
Actions
7.1. Encourage library and information science schools to adopt a socially responsible orientation, including the promotion of a strong service ethic towards all populations.
7.2 P resent programs on educational co-operation at the Seoul conference in 2006
7.3 Explore for Durban conference in 2007 cooperation in program planning with the Continuing Education and Workplace Learning Section.
7.4 Plan for a program at the Quebec City conference in 2008 to include rigorously refereed conference papers.
