(IPC camp organizers and participants March, 2020)
The IPC Camp event was hosted by the KNLS Nakuru at the American Corner on 6th of March 2020. The event attracted new professionals from all over the country. It was themed “Invigorating New information Professionals” The New professionals comprised of students, new employees and senior employees as well.
The camp received a grant from the Kenya Library Association of USD 500 dollar in support of the event. The event attracted 160 new information professionals and other invited guests.
Aim of the KLA New Professionals Camp
The aim of The KLA New Professionals’ Camp was to attract new professionals who have the spirit and motivation to run with the new vision. Hot and trendy topics in the library world were deliberated upon with an aim to give working solutions in the Kenyan contemporary society of information. The camp also presented an immense opportunity for networking and professional interaction.
Objectives of the Camp
- To empower new professionals in the library and information career to get involved in the national association and with KLA, thus prompting them to be local and international thinkers and leaders.
- To increase the librarians’ network by linking new professionals with each other and existing gurus, thereby sharing experiences, opportunities, social interaction and laying strategy for further virtual interaction through social spaces.
- To offer first quality free training and knowledge exchange opportunities through open programmes and future satellite meetings.
Mapping New Professionals’ Camp Concept
There has been a new and awakening trend in the library profession to have camps, otherwise referred to as ‘unconferences’. These are refreshing yet informal setups that have been attributed to seeing the sharing of new ideas, rise of motivation among peers, fostering of unity in librarians and key discussion of future trends which have a direct impact on the professional. Impressive ideas pertinent to the career were shared. From the participants who attended the event, the camp was more than a success. For The KLA professionals, it is a matter of catching up with the in-thing, as we have a lot more to share than to ignore in this profession.
Proposed schedule of events
The venue was settled at the American Spaces Nakuru KNLS, Venue provided by Nakuru KNLS Librarian Purity Kavuri. Experienced presenters who are information professionals from within the country and the Globe dedicated it to exploring a variety of trends. In addition to the lively discussions, the IFLA SG- Gerald Leitner sent the new professionals a message of encouraging such events and gatherings for new professionals. Below are some of the presenters.
Purity Kavuri- “Library Advocacy” KNLS-Nakuru Branch Librarian
Raymond Pun, International “Librarianship and academic publishing” (California, USA)
Prof. Tom Kwanya, “Invigorating New information Professionals” Knowledge Management Expert. Director, School of Information and Communication Studies The Technical University of Kenya.
New professionals’ camp was about daring to give the body freedom of being an important part of creative processes, provoke mind and connect it with ideas through the different “logic”, also to brush up the ability of alternative from spoken word ways of communication. The participant-driven approach allowed for active involvement of all attendees.
In conclusion, librarians are encouraged to find ways to include new professionals in library association projects. We encourage senior librarians to provide mentorship and guidelines for new professionals.
Nyakundi James Nyambane,
Librarian User services, USIU-A.
IFLA CPDWL Member
Kudos!
Mentoring and coaching librarians is a wonderful move, lets keep the Spirit forever