IN THIS DOCUMENT:

Scope statement

Goals, 1998-2001 - Action Plans, 1998-1999

Action Plans, 1998-1999

Round Table on Continuing Professional Education

Medium Term Programme 1998-2001

Scope statement

The Round Table on Continuing Professional Education (CPERT), established under the Section on Education and Training, works to encourage and develop continuing education programmes for information and library personnel and to provide a focal point for relevant activities.

New trends in information sources, technology, users' needs and management of libraries and information services emphasise the requirement for continuing education and retraining. The Round Table brings together those interested in and/or responsible for providing delivery systems for continuing education, persons interested in improving the quality of continuing education, etc.

Goals, 1998-2001 - Action Plans, 1998-1999

Goal 1

Encourage and develop international continuing professional education programmes for library and information personnel.

Actions:

1.1 Hold open meetings of the CPERT at the IFLA Conferences in 1998 and 1999 with topics covering current developments in continuing professional education (CPE) and continuing professional development (CPD).

1.2 Develop the 4th World Conference on Continuing Professional Education potentially to be held in 2001 or 2002 in conjunction with the IFLA General Conference.

• Proposals will be submitted to the Round Table with specific details relating to costs and facilities.
• Identify elements that yield quality continuing education and ways to achieve these elements as one of the topics of 4th World Conference.
• Study alternative delivery systems for continuing education and their effectiveness.

Goal 2

Improve the opportunities of librarians world-wide to contribute to the lifelong learning of individuals both within and outside the profession including facilitating collaboration and development of networks for the exchange of ideas.

Actions:

2.1 Develop electronic information sources for continuing education achievements, needs, problems, programmes, etc.

• Establish a LISTSERV to increase membership and enable communication and active participation among members world-wide.
• Provide the Round Table's Newsletter on an electronic basis.
• Establish a clearinghouse to facilitate information retrieval on institutions and persons involved in CE, programmes, listings of CE events, etc., as a Website.
• Within the clearinghouse establish a searchable database with descriptions of CE programs and alternative delivery systems.

2.2 Establish contact with other organisations supporting the exchange of international library staff, CE providers and educators.

Goal 3

Increase membership world-wide in the Round Table and facilitate communication between members.

Action:

3.1 Establish an active Membership Committee and promote the activities of the Round Table.

Goal 4

Stimulate research in continuing education for library and information professionals.

Action:

4.1 Disseminate the findings of the research project on continuing education programmes sponsored by the Round Table (Aversa/Stone). Promote the published results of the 3rd International Conference on Continuing Professional Education (1997). Explore further research topics and financial possibilities for research in this field.

Action Plans, 1998-1999

• Proposals will be submitted to the Round Table relating to cost and facilities, etc.
• Identify elements that yield quality continuing education and ways to achieve these elements as topics of the 4th World Conference.
• Study alternative delivery systems for continuing education and their effectiveness

1b. Hold open meetings of CPERT with topics concerning Continuing Professional Education.

2. Develop electronic information sources for continuing education achievements, needs, problems, programmes, etc.

3. Establish an active Membership Committee to solicit members and promote the activities of the Round Table.

4. Disseminate the findings of the Continuing Professional Education Research and Literature Database research project. Promote the published results of the 3rd International Conferences [sic] on Continuing Professional Education (1977). Explore further research topics and financial possibilities for research in this field.

5. Establish contact with other organizations supporting the exchange of international library staff, CE providers and educators.

To 1a:
Our response is that the 4th World Conference on Continuing Professional Education will be held in conjunction with the IFLA Conference in Boston. A 5th World Conference is being planned for Scotland.

To 1b:
We regularly hold open meetings of CPERT and our program in Bangkok was especially well attended.

2. The present secretary established an electronic list for members of CPERT and John Harvey regularly makes use of this. As soon as we can help him expand the newsletter we might be able to establish a web site and link to IFLA for continuing education achievements, problems, programmes, etc.

3. We have not established a Membership Committee. It continues as a goal.

4. Someone will be assigned to disseminate the findings of the CPERT Research and Literature Database research project as soon as we know the status of this. We will establish a method to promote the published results of the 1997 Conference.

5. We will continue to try to contact other organizations supporting the exchange of international library staff, CE providers and educators.