IFLA New Professionals Special Interest Group 10th Anniversary!

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This year the IFLA New Professionals Special Interest Group (NPSIG) is celebrating its 10^th anniversary. The group was founded in 2004 during the IFLA Congress in Buenos Aires. Since then it has become the main global network for new librarians and students. From its beginning senior library leaders supported the NPSIG and opened doors to promote more inclusion of LIS New Professionals in IFLA and library work worldwide.

Highlights include:

• Hosting Congress sessions in more than 14 countries across four continents;
• Hosting satellite conferences in coordination with IFLA Sections in Bologna, Borås, Hämeenlinna, Singapore and Lyon;
• Establishing the two-day "unconference" IFLAcamp, since 2012;
• Organizing the 2013-2014 midyear conferences, IFLAcampLab, both in Russia in cooperation with local library organisations;
• Presenting virtually at international LIS conferences such as BOBCATSSS and Library 2.013;
• Presenting the free quarterly webinar series, 'New Librarians Global Connection', in partnership with the Continuing Professional Development and Workplace Learning Section, IFLA and the American Library Association;
• Connecting the global library community via our successful social media presence on many platforms;
• Engaging new librarians worldwide via innovative virtual business meetings;
• Receiving the 2011 IFLA Communicator of the Year Award.

NPSIG is an open global network for LIS New Professionals and supporters founded by Loida Garcia-Febo (USA/PR), Andrew Cranfield (Denmark), and Stuart Hamilton (UK). Our current Convenors are Sebastian Wilke (Germany), and Bridgette Hendrix (USA).

As you can see we are meeting at IFLA Congresses and other events organizing sessions and workshops. We are also very active when it comes to virtual meetings and online collaboration and encourage everyone to join.

We are sponsored by the Management of Library Associations Section (MLAS). Together with a global network of enthusiasts we drive the activities of NPSIG, all on a voluntary basis.

NPSIG will be celebrating our anniversary throughout the Congress and invite you to attend our joint session tomorrow with the Education and Training Section, “Residency models on the rise - chances and challenges for new librarians, educators and employers”.  Our Business Meeting takes place this afternoon.