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Lifelong Learning in Librarianship: Classes and Beyond
by Susanne Markgren
"Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire." - William Butler Yeats
Lifelong learning is defined as: "Learning in which a person engages throughout his or her life. It includes but is not limited to learning that occurs in schools and formal educational programs." The profession of librarianship falls nicely into this process of ongoing learning. In fact, I would argue that librarianship itself is one long learning process - with no end in sight. The concept of lifelong learning is much broader than formal education and goes beyond just keeping up; it encompasses all learning on all levels. Our profession is in a constant state of flux, and, therefore, so are the roles that librarians play. In order to keep up with new resources, new technology, new publishing trends, new business and educational models, new modes of communication, and our library users, today's librarians need to engage in some form of continuing education - and make lifelong learning an important aspect of their careers.
Our library degree gets us in the door, but that is really just the beginning. The education we receive as students is crucial to obtaining a librarian position, but the education we get while working in libraries is essential to maintaining our positions and providing momentum to move ahead in our careers. If you are motivated to continue the process of lifelong learning, and exert a little effort to pursue it, you will discover many outlets in various learning environments that can assist you in achieving your educational and professional goals.
Create a Plan and Get Support
First, you should think about what you would like to accomplish over your career. What are your professional goals? What is required of you in your current position? Where do you see yourself in five, ten years? And what, if you had the money and time, would you like to learn, master, or accomplish? Create a professional development plan with a clear outline for continuing education, and sketch out your goals for the short and long-term. Most librarians are required, or encouraged, to do some kind of professional development during their tenure at a position. Fortunately, many employers will either fully or partially fund these activities, which might include attending conferences, workshops, and symposia, spending time writing and conducting research, and taking formal or informal classes. Find out what kind of compensation is available at your institution and take advantage of it. Once you have the support from your supervisor or director, you can begin to research learning opportunities. For information on creating professional development plans, and other resources for "keeping up," see Steven Bell's Keeping Up site.
Organizations and Associations
A great way both to enhance your skills and to network is to become involved in a local organization or association. These groups help foster professional relationships by providing a community for librarians and library staff, where they can develop new skills and learn about new technologies, resources, and trends. Local organizations will often sponsor classes, workshops, meetings, and special interest groups where staff from different institutions and backgrounds can interact, share, and learn from each other. Many of these organizations function as consortia, or "formal organizations of two or more institutions which seek to attain specific goals through cooperation." To find out what organizations, associations, or consortia exist in your area, talk to your library director and your colleagues. ACRL, SLA, ALA, and MLA all maintain local chapters in specific localities. Look at association web pages, and check out LibraryHQ.com's list of organizations and associations. Also, subscribe to association e-mail lists to stay informed of upcoming classes, symposia and other events. Two of the organizations that I utilize in my area are METRO and Nylink.
Classes - Formal and Informal
Thinking of getting a second master's degree or a professional certificate? Or do you just want to learn a new technology, or update your skills? There are classes, both in-person and online, to meet all of these needs (or desires). A second master's degree will involve a major time commitment and can be required for certain positions. Today, many master's programs can be completed either entirely or partially online. Professional or graduate certificate programs typically require completion of four to six specific classes. They are often conducted through continuing education programs geared for working professionals. These formal programs will provide librarians with valuable credentials, and combined with the right experience may give them an edge over other candidates when applying for jobs.
Another option, for those who do not have the time, money, or desire to continue their formal education, is that of informal classes. Informal classes are abundant and cover a wide range of topics. They can be offered by associations, vendors, private companies, and non-profits, both online and in-person. Whether you want to learn about technologies such as XML, SQL, or JavaScript; concepts or trends such as open access, instruction techniques, or digitization; or human relations skills such as leadership, or conflict management, you have many outlets to choose from. Try local organizations for in-person classes. Look into online classes from national associations such as ARL or SLA. Check out private technology companies whose classes are not geared for librarians - which, I have discovered, is sometimes a better setting in which to learn a new technology. An example of a nationwide computer center that offers both online and in-person instruction is New Horizons. Informal classes are excellent resources for continuing education, and, because they are so easily available, in many formats and venues, they are accessible to most librarians and library staff.
Self-Directed Learning
Almost all learning can be called self-directed because we need to seek it out and engage in the active learning process, no matter its format or venue. But possibly the most difficult, and at the same time the most accessible, way to learn is to use the tools we have at our fingertips. From the Internet, to books, to computer software, there are many resources right under our noses for self- directed learning. These tools can be advantageous because they are practical, convenient, and usually free or relatively inexpensive. The difficult part is finding the time and the motivation to utilize them. One site that has numerous useful, free, and easy to follow tutorials is W3Schools.
With libraries in a continual state of change, it is difficult not to get caught up in the process and pursuit of lifelong learning. As long as we are motivated to keep learning, there will always be new opportunities and new venues for continuing our education. And, once the fire is started, it is almost impossible to put out.
Susanne Markgren is the Information Systems and Technology Librarian at the Levy Library, Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City. She is currently taking classes towards a professional certificate in Information Management at NYU, as well as continually attending informal classes, workshops, symposia, and conferences. She can be reached at: susanne.markgren@mssm.edu.