Continuing education for LIS professionals: why

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this study is to determine the outcomes of continuing education programs that are being carried out, either having positive or negative effects on the personal and professional lives of the participants. Design/methodology/approach The research method used for this study was a survey, which had been based on findings derived from a comprehensive literature review. The data collection tool was an online questionnaire with a five-point Likert scale. Questionnaires were circulated to the 120 library professionals equally divided among three online discussion groups which have high rate of library professionals’ memberships: Pakistan Library Automation Group, Pakistan Librarians Welfare Organization (PLWO) and Pakistan Library Club through emails. The 100 completely filled questionnaires were received and so the response rate was 83 per cent. Findings The study concluded that continuing education programs (CEPs) had positive effects on the participants’ professional as well as personal lives. The results revealed that CEPs improved librarians’ professional knowledge about digital resources, library automation and management systems, searching techniques, library management and skills regards team work. The effect on their personal lives was also noticeable: helped them to build confidence, increased personal interaction and developed their ability to research, leadership, communication and managerial skills. Therefore, the study clearly indicates that CEPs proved very helpful in capacity building of professional librarians. Practical implications The paper clearly addresses the effects of CEPs on participants’ professional and personal lives. As expressed, the results CEPs are playing an important role in the capacity building of professional librarians. This study will stimulate CEPs managing associations or organizations to check outcomes, whether they are valuable for the participants. Originality/value This paper reports the effects of formal or informal training sessions on LIS professionals’ professional and personal lives.