“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 advisors, who they are and what they do!

In this post, we highlight Svetlana Gorokhova, CPDWL standing committee advisor (a former SC member and remain involved in CPDWL activities) !

Why are you a standing committee advisor of CPDWL and what are you working on for CPDWL Section at the moment?

Svetlana: I am part of the Advisory group as I consider CPDWL agenda vital for all the spheres of library field. It is a key condition of the successful development of any library institution. I believe that Russian libraries need more exposure to the best practices of the world libraries in terms of implementation of the CPDWL Guidelines. I keep bringing to the attention of the library community new aspects of this very important work, drawing connections between formal LIS education, CPDWL opportunities, personal responsibilities of the workers and institutional obligations of the employers. My recent professional activities included joint discussion and comparative review of the role of the library associations are playing in support and advocacy of the profession. I try to be involved into the main IFLA CPDWL section activities, including publications in the section media resources, participation in working meetings and discussions of the projects, among them Coaching sessions, Knowledge Cafe meetings, meet-ups meeting, numerous publications of the IFLA CPDWL meetings in the Russian professional media. I am running for the IFLA CPDWL SC elections 2023 and hope to continue serving in the Committee in the capacity of the full time member.

What is one advice you have for new librarians interested in getting involved in IFLA or in their library associations for professional development?

Svetlana: I would like to invite all the professional to be part of their national associations and to be involved in to the global library field through IFLA activities. I joined IFLA back in 1994 and since then I never experienced anything better in terms of exposure to the best possible expertise in various parts of the library universe. The feeling of unity and support and opportunities opening before every professional is unbelievable. You just need to seize them and enjoy. As an ardent advocate of professional exchange I believe that to have a different perspective is utterly important to develop your own position. And IFLA gives you this opportunity.