“This is How We Do It: One Professional Development Activity in the Lives of Librarians from Around the World” is a new series from the IFLA Continuing Professional Development and Workplace Learning Section to highlight our standing committee members, who they are and what they do!
In this post, we highlight Almuth Gastinger, CPDWL secretary and standing committee member!
Why are you a standing committee member of CPDWL and what are you working on for CPDWL Section at the moment?
Almuth: I have been interested in international collaboration for a long time. Consequently, I began to be interested and involved in IFLA in 2003. After eight years with the Information Literacy Section I wanted to continue being an active member of a standing committee. Because of my interest for and the huge importance of continuing professional development (CPD) I chose the CPDWL Section and was elected to the CPDWL standing committee in 2015. At the moment, I am secretary of the section, I am a member of the Coaching working group and I contribute to the CPDWL blog and newsletter.
What is one advice you have for new librarians interested in getting involved in IFLA or in their library associations for professional development?
Almuth: Become a member of your national library association. Then find out whether it has a group for new professionals. If there is one get in touch and offer to contribute to their work/projects and check with them for possibilities for CPD. You will expand your network very soon and can develop from there. Likewise if you want to get involved in IFLA. Get in touch with its new professionals group and ask for advice regarding professional development.