“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 Ulrike Lang, co-chair of CPDWL!
Why are you a standing committee member of CPDWL and what are you working on for CPDWL Section at the moment?
Ulrike: As head of education and training department at the State and University Library in Hamburg, Germany, I was always interested in new experiences of learning and training. Library staff is the most important source for the efforts and acceptance of libraries in their communities. For this you have to educate and develop the colleagues. I learned that new influences and trends from abroad could always inspire and the best way to collect these experiences is in the CPDWL section.
Right now I’m serving as chair of the section and am also convenor of the IFLA Coaching initiative of CPDWL & M&M section.
What is one advice you have for new librarians interested in getting involved in IFLA or in their library associations for professional development?
Ulrike: Always be open to meet new people and to check if their stories can be transformed to your daily work. Look for supporters at home. If your management at your institution will not support your work within IFLA or your library association it might be very difficult to fulfill your tasks in the work of IFLA. You might need time, money and other resources.