“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 Daria Beliakova, CPDWL standing committee member!
Why are you a standing committee member of CPDWL and what are you working on for CPDWL Section at the moment?
Daria: I joined the SC CPDWL because for many years my professional activity has been connected with professional development programs for Russian librarians, with the study and spread of foreign library experience, with the organization of international professional exchanges. As a member of the Standing Committee, I constantly broadcast information about the work of IFLA departments to the Russian library community, prepare publications for the blog and newsletter of our section. I take part in the preparation of a special Knowledge Cafe event, participate in coaching sessions as a coach for Russian-speaking librarians, contributed to the translation into Russian of the full text of the Guidelines for continuing professional education and measures for its adaptation. Gathered information about the organization of distance professional development programs in Russia to develop an appendix to this manual. I also recorded two audio interviews with Russian library leaders for the Russian CPDWL podcast series.
What is one advice you have for new librarians interested in getting involved in IFLA or in their library associations for professional development?
Daria: Be proactive! Your professional association, as well as IFLA, is in dire need of your fresh ideas and energy. Get to know your colleagues in the professional association, their activities, achievements, work style, even their mistakes. You can use this rich experience in your work. By becoming a member of a professional association, you have a whole network of partners and experts at your disposal who will be happy to take part in the projects you are working on. Also, you will strengthen and enrich your field of activity. You will get the opportunity to tell about your achievements to the whole country, to the whole world. And don’t be afraid! Librarians are a very friendly community of professionals.