30 Nov 2024

Libfocus Link-out for November 2024

Welcome to the November edition of the Libfocus link-out, an assemblage of library-related things we have found informative, educational, thought-provoking and insightful on the Web over the past while.

Five images: A woman sitting down in a library is speaking with a woman and a security guard, graphic of colourful book shelves, a magnifying glass over a Google Scholar search page, green cover of a book with the title The Greek Mythology, a hand touching a button that says AI under a red circle with a line through it
Images featured in this month's link-out articles

Turning the page: understanding the barriers to library use and how to encourage engagement.
In this article for DCMS libraries, Polly Hollings and Amelia Byrne look at the findings of a UK survey around potential barriers to public library use. The results can be used by staff in academic and other libraries to help them support increased engagement with their services and spaces.

Ancient to Modern.
Susan Kristol writes about the fascinating history behind the Loeb Classical Library series in this Washington Examiner article. The library was established in 1911 to make the works of the great writers of ancient Greece and Rome more accessible. A digitisation project in the 2000s made over 500 volumes from the series available to a new generation of readers and researchers.

We’re Harvard Library Workers. We Stand in Solidarity with the Study-Ins.
An Op-Ed piece for the Harvard Crimson written by two staff members from Harvard Library, Maya H. Bergamasco and Jonathan S. Tuttle discussing their thoughts on recent Pro-Palestine ‘study-ins’ in Harvard Libraries and the consequent reactions of library management.

Report: Resisting Hate and Navigating Agitation: Irish Public Library Staff Stand United Against Reactionary Challenges to LGBTQ+ Materials.
A new report from UCD by Dr. Páraic Kerrigan, Prof Eugenia Siapera, with colleagues Dr Claire McGuinnesss, Prof Crystal Fulton, Mx. Faye Carrie and Mr Feargal Keenan on reactionary responses to LBGBTQ+ resources in libraries.

How to get started with academic Bluesky.
In this post on the LSE Impact Blog, well known librarian Ned Potter gives tips on how to start on the social media platform Bluesky.

Google Scholar is not broken (yet), but there are alternatives.
Kirsten Elliott points out alternatives to Google Scholar which operate from an open research ethos and are free to use.

A Librarian Against AI.
Violet Fox has written a 40-page zine titled A Librarian Against AI; or, I Think AI Should Leave.
The zine is a decidedly unmeasured response to incessant AI boosterism. Its main audience is library workers, but it was written in the hope that everyone who’s interested in accurate, unbiased information might get something out of it. It’s also heavily illustrated with quotes from the television show I Think You Should Leave, but you don’t have to be a fan to enjoy the zine.

Why use of new AI enhanced tools that help with literature review should be discouraged for undergraduates.
Aaron Tay considers the use of AI among undergraduates when writing a literature review and provides a detailed analysis of such tools and the potential risks.

MIT Press Looks at How to Move Forward With OA Policies.
A comprehensive insight into how open access may affect research and researchers in the future, how to measure their impact, and address emerging challenges.

Can Google Scholar survive the AI revolution?
Smriti Mallapaty qualifies that many of Google Scholar’s advantages — free access, breadth of information and sophisticated search options — are now being shared by other platforms. “Up until recently, Google Scholar was my default search,” says Aaron Tay, an academic librarian at Singapore Management University. It’s still top of his list, but “recently, I started using other AI tools”.

Digital Scholarly Journals Are Poorly Preserved: A Study of 7 Million Articles.
Martin Paul Eve constructed a database of preservation information from original archival sources and then examined the preservation statuses of 7,438,037 DOIs in a random sample. This work reveals an alarming preservation deficit. Only 0.96% of Crossref members (n = 204) can be confirmed to digitally preserve over 75% of their content in three or more of the archives that were studied.

26 Nov 2024

Top Tips and Wisdom from Government Librarians

This guest post is by Amy Bond, Assistant Librarian & Information Specialist in An Bord Bia / The Irish Food Board. 

The Government Libraries Section of the Library Association of Ireland is made up of members working across government departments, semi-state agencies, and other support organisations. Many of these librarians are working as solo librarians or within small teams, making a big impact on their wider organisations while building up vast knowledge over decades of public service. We believe this knowledge is a precious resource and wanted to capture the wisdom of our members. Instead of hoarding these gems of insight among our own group with hope that librarians across other sectors can also learn from our collective knowledge.

To help give structure to our expertise we leveraged the framework of CILIP’s Professional Knowledge and Skills Base wheel, organising our tips around the pillars falling under professional expertise and generic skills. You can learn more about this tool on the CILIP website here.


A horizontal row of books on their sides with shelves of books in the background
Assorted book lot by Jessica Ruscello on Unsplash

Collection Management and Development

Develop collections your users really want and align development to strategic priorities. Ensure you measure the value and impact of your collection annually. Collect quantitative and qualitative proof points to ensure that it’s fit for purpose.
Mairéad McKeown - Knowledge Manager, Bord Bia

Ensure collections are easily accessible in available formats for increased engagement.
Lauren Sneyd - Assistant Librarian, Bord Bia

Consult regularly with your users to ensure that collections meet current needs and make sure they know how to access resources.
Noeleen Murtagh - Information Management Executive, FSAI

If working in a smaller organisation, find ways to be clever with limited resources. Work closely with users to make sure that the resources you are providing access to are meeting their needs and providing good value. Look at what useful resources out there may be available for free or open access.
GLS Member

Review your collection regularly to ensure the material is relevant and current. Ensure resources are available in accessible formats for all users.
GLS Member

Data management

Leverage technology to mine your data for causation insights and once you find the so what in your data use it to tell engaging stories. E.g. Our Librarians save library users xxx amount of time, xxx amount of money, we help inform xxx decisions etc.
Mairéad McKeown - Knowledge Manager, Bord Bia

Utilise data to tailor collections and activities to areas of interest
Lauren Sneyd - Assistant Librarian, Bord Bia

Monitor usage of resources and services and use the data to drive decision making and show the impact of your service.
Noeleen Murtagh - Information Management Executive, FSAI

Use evidence-based decision making in your management and development of both print and electronic collections. Query the data to ensure it's offering a clear picture of use of resources.
GLS Member


Information exploitation and use

There are up to five generations in today's workforce, build an understanding of their information needs and consumption preferences and exploit information so they can search for and use it in the right formats for their needs.
Mairéad McKeown - Knowledge Manager, Bord Bia

Keep up to date with what projects are going on in your organisation or key areas of interest and highlight information resources that may be beneficial to them.
Noeleen Murtagh - Information Management Executive, FSAI

I am working on curating our offering of platforms and defining more closely what should go into each platform, making data easier to find.
GLS Member

Information governance and compliance

Ensure your governance and compliance policies are well developed, up to date and widely communicated, taking into account privacy, copyright, IP and licensing, ownership and accountability. If you're not responsible for creating governance policies in your organisation, offer to get involved and share your expertise in relation to information governance and compliance.
Mairéad McKeown - Knowledge Manager, Bord Bia

Ensure that users are aware of information governance policies, such as copyright, data protection through in-person/online briefings, intranet posts or posters at copying machines.
Noeleen Murtagh - Information Management Executive, FSAI

Ensure policies for different information areas such as collection development, copyright and records management reinforce each other and that your expertise provides input into the review and development of policies (if not under your ownership).
GLS Member

Policies, while important, can be lengthy and cumbersome to reference. I am working on creating a "quick reference" checklist to ensure the integrity of information.
GLS Member

Information management

Organise your information in a way that makes it easily accessible, ensure professional standards in cataloguing classification, metadata and thesauri and subject indexing are practiced.
Mairéad McKeown - Knowledge Manager, Bord Bia 

Be a leader in information management, ensuring information is easy to find, up to date and reliable.
Noeleen Murtagh - Information Management Executive, FSAI

I am working through de-mystifying the process and removing the fear associated with "getting rid" of information, re-aligning the focus to easily finding relevant documentation
GLS Member

Review access from the perspective of a new library user.  Ensure resources are accessible.
GLS Member

Knowledge management

Build Knowledge Management Strategies that help:
1. Convert tacit to explicit knowledge
2. Demonstrate the value of KM
3. Make knowledge easily discoverable
4. Foster collaboration
5. Take account of culture, people, processes and technology as an enabler, NOT the solution.
Mairéad McKeown - Knowledge Manager, Bord Bia

Share learnings from training courses or conferences with all staff.
Noeleen Murtagh - Information Management Executive, FSAI

Seek ways to support staff in your organisation to share their knowledge. E.g. facilitate 'knowledge share' sessions for different business areas to share their expertise, or for projects to feedback to staff on key learnings. Another example may be to facilitate staff members to share learnings from conferences and seminars.
GLS Member

Taking opportunities for Micro-learning at Staff Meetings, Innovation Seminars, Newsletters and Intranet leverage.
GLS Member

Four people sitting at a table, three of them are looking at a woman who is standing and putting coloured squares of paper on the wall.
Woman placing sticky notes on a wall by Jason Goodman on Unsplash

Literacies and learning

Always lean into Bloom's taxonomy when designing the objectives and outcomes of your learning and literacy programmes. As new technologies emerge use what you already know and transfer it to new literacies, information literacy, meets digital and AI literacy.
Mairéad McKeown - Knowledge Manager, Bord Bia

Constantly evolve to meet user needs in a variety of learning styles and keep up to date with the latest trends.
Lauren Sneyd - Assistant Librarian, Bord Bia

When trying to engage users in information literacy training, always try to tie it to some real part of their life, whether that's professional, academic, or personal, so that they can see immediate tangible benefits to these skills.
Amy Bond, Assistant Librarian, Bord Bia

Running a journal club is a great way to get staff reading and critically appraising literature.
Noeleen Murtagh - Information Management Executive, FSAI

Our organisation has started to assign time to research and development in the company of a senior staff member, utilising our library space and online resources.
GLS Member

Records management and archiving

1. Create - Understand why you're creating a record and use that to drive how you manage it; choose concise, objective, meaningful and standardised naming conventions; use version control to avoid duplication and review schedules to manage timeliness.
2. Organise - classify in a systematic way and store in secure or collaborative digital paces depending on who needs access.
3. Dispose - review your retention schedule and archive or dispose in a secure manner as per policy.
Mairéad McKeown - Knowledge Manager, Bord Bia

When trying to improve records management within a team or organisation it is not enough to understand the records themselves, but you need to understand the workflow behind them, and why these records are being created. For this reason, it needs to be a deeply collaborative process.
Amy Bond, Assistant Librarian, Bord Bia

Records management is a team effort. Get a representative from each team in the organisation to be a champion for records management. They should have a good understanding of their records, how they are stored and the retention periods. The representatives can meet regularly to share experiences.
Noeleen Murtagh - Information Management Executive, FSAI

Gaining buy-in from senior management is key to successfully embedding good Records Management practices. If a particular business area or team is experiencing issues implementing good practice, sit down with them to explore why this is so, and help them to come up with a process that works for their needs. Often good practice is about navigating organisational culture and human behaviour, rather than just developing good policies and procedures.
GLS Member

Simplify records management, relevant to your own organisation. Make it section specific in relevance. General guidance causes confusion.
GLS Member

Research

Follow Bord Bia’s Seven steps of Knowing how to best use information to deliver maximum business value:
1. Start with a good research question
2. Understand the best sources available to meet your needs
3. Execute good search strategies/prompts to retrieve the best search results
4. Evaluate your sources
5. Manage your sources for easy retrieval
6. Develop insights and implications
7. Reflect, conduct a lessons learned to drive continuous research improvement.
Mairéad McKeown - Knowledge Manager, Bord Bia

Use the CRAAP test to evaluate the quality of information - Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy, and Purpose.
Lauren Sneyd - Assistant Librarian, Bord Bia

When conducting desk research on behalf of library users, don't get started until you have a clear understanding of the purpose of the search request. Without this, it will be difficult to deliver resources to answer the information need. Spending time clarifying goals upfront will save time on follow up searches.
Amy Bond - Assistant Librarian, Bord Bia

The librarian/information specialist can play a key part in the research process by carrying out or assisting in the design of a research question, conducting literature searches or peer reviewing literature searches. Ensure your users are aware of your skills in this area.
Noeleen Murtagh - Information Management Executive, FSAI

A laptop a phone and a notebook on a table beside a torso and arms of a person. In the background an out of focus woman is visible.
Black smartphone near person by Headway on Unsplash

Customer focus, service design and marketing

Gather library, knowledge management impact stories and use this authentic user content to market and promote your services. Design new services your users want, so understand their pain points and needs, then pilot new services with a small group of users to test before launching, act on feedback launch and continue to measure and evolve.
Mairéad McKeown - Knowledge Manager, Bord Bia

Create engaging visual content to market and promote your services and, if possible, carve out distinct brand assets so your content will be instantly recognisable to users.
Lauren Sneyd - Assistant Librarian, Bord Bia

To deliver strong marketing you need to take time to develop a plan that sets out who are your target audiences, what are the goals and objectives of your marketing efforts, and what are the key messages that you want to deliver through your marketing. Only when this work has been done can you create effective strategies and tactics, and understand what success looks like for these.
Amy Bond - Assistant Librarian, Bord Bia

Get regular feedback from your users through surveys or focus groups. Focus groups can be really useful for getting more in-depth views of users and you can gain a better understanding of their needs.
Noeleen Murtagh - Information Management Executive, FSAI

Make it simple to pick up and put down. Reduce barriers to entry as much as possible.
GLS Member

Use cross-promotion strategies to market your library. Collaborate with colleagues across your organisation and contribute to different projects and initiatives.
GLS Member

Leadership advocacy influencing and personal effectiveness

Practice a growth mindset, that of a lifelong learner, who provides strong visible leadership of self, community, team, and the unknown. If you want to instil a growth mindset culture in your people, role model the behaviours you wish to see and always keep an eye to external forces which help you to see the bigger picture of what's on the horizon. Practice the ability to influence key stakeholders in line with an increasingly complex and rapidly changing world.  Practice gratitude and appreciation for human potential and use the power of conversation to bring diverse groups of people together to make sense of complex issues and those of strategic importance. Join Library and Professional associations like the LAI, CILIP, ALA, IFLA and seek out professional development opportunities and networks that help you hone your leadership skills. Consider applying for the LAI Fellowship award to display your CPD at this level.
Mairéad McKeown - Knowledge Manager, Bord Bia

Get involved in different committees/working groups either within or outside of your organisation and show how valuable your information skills are to others.
Noeleen Murtagh - Information Management Executive, FSAI

Create space for learning. Physical and mental space. We are a time-poor society of convenience. It requires a culture shift return to thirst for knowledge that is not as instant as a google search. Managers and Boards need to put a focus back on time carve out for continuous learning.
GLS Member

Strategy planning and management

Adopt a stop, start, evolve practice to ensure you plan, execute and measure according to strategic priorities.  Remain attuned to rapid external changes to ensure you manage uncertainty and pivot as needed.
Mairéad McKeown - Knowledge Manager, Bord Bia

Set clear, achievable goals and be willing to be flexible.
Noeleen Murtagh - Information Management Executive, FSAI

Strategy is a start point. Too often we hear "It is in the strategy" but the strategy is a framework to create more meaningful content. Strategy is a start not a stop. It can change and evolve. It does not need to be static. A static strategy will cause a static organisation mindset.
GLS Member

Technology and communication

Keeping up to date with advances in technology and communication will come easier to those who practice lifelong learning. Adaptability is key, so be open to on the job, self-directed and formal learning, reverse mentoring and experimentation to keep up to date with advances that can elevate how your collections and services are developed, managed and made more accessible to more people in more ways possible.
Mairéad McKeown - Knowledge Manager, Bord Bia

Join librarian networks and groups to keep up to date and learn practical strategies for managing resource acquisitions. Take opportunities for formal training e.g. in negotiations and informal learning opportunities eg. from colleagues and at relevant conferences.
Jill Corish - Assistant Librarian, Houses of the Oireachtas

Make time to explore new technologies. The tools we use are constantly changing so make sure you are signed up to relevant newsletters or journals to keep yourself up to date.
Noeleen Murtagh - Information Management Executive, FSAI

Find different ways to get your message across - you may reach more people if the message is delivered through different mediums. E.g. email to staff, a piece in the internal staff newsletter, and verbal updates at staff meetings.
GLS Member

Leverage what you have and add additional technologies with scepticism. Too often we have too many platforms, and not enough development of each one to cater to the needs of the staff.
GLS Member

Keep up to date with tech developments and take time to trial new features. Seek feedback on new or enhanced products from colleagues. LIS networking groups offer the opportunity to discuss resources, best practice, strategies and ideas with other LIS professionals.
GLS Member


You can learn more about the work of the GLS and how to become a member on the LAI website here. You can also follow us on X, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

References:

www.cilip.org.uk. (n.d.). Accessing the Professional Knowledge and Skills Base (PKSB). [online] Available at: https://www.cilip.org.uk/page/PKSB.


Posted on Tuesday, November 26, 2024 | Categories:

16 Nov 2024

Webinar Review: AI and Workforce Development in Libraries: Overcoming Barriers and Embracing Lifelong Learning 2024

Guest Post by Mairéad Mc Keown, Knowledge and Critical Capability Manager at Bord Bia - The Irish Food Board.

Picture of a woman's face overlaid with digital numbers
AI (Artificial intelligence) concept via Shutterstock

The recent webinar titled "AI and Workforce Development in Libraries: Overcoming Barriers and Embracing Lifelong Learning 2024" by Leo S. Lo, Dean at the University of New Mexico and President of the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL), provided a comprehensive overview of the integration of AI in libraries. This event, organised by the Long Island Library Resource Council, aimed to address the diverse needs of library professionals at various career stages, focusing on integrating AI technologies into libraries. In this Libfocus blogpost, I will review the key insights and implications from the webinar, highlighting the importance of AI literacy, the barriers to its adoption, and strategies to overcome these barriers.

Introduction to AI and Workforce Development in Libraries

Leo S. Lo began the webinar by introducing the concept of AI and its relevance to libraries. AI, or Artificial Intelligence, is a broad field of computer science focused on creating systems capable of performing tasks that typically require human intelligence, such as logical reasoning, learning, problem-solving, perception, and language understanding. Key components of AI include Machine Learning (ML), Deep Learning, Natural Language Processing (NLP), and Computer Vision. These technologies have the potential to revolutionise library operations in many ways, such as enhancing cataloguing, improving reference services, digital marketing, managing digital collections as well as many other activities.

The Importance of AI Literacy

One of the central themes of the webinar was the importance of AI literacy for library professionals. AI literacy is defined as “the ability to understand, use, and think critically about AI technologies and their impact on society, ethics, and everyday life”. Key components of AI literacy include technical knowledge, ethical awareness, critical thinking, practical skills, and understanding societal impact. Librarians have been teaching information literacy for years and are now equipping themselves to pivot to AI literacy.

Historical Parallels and the AI Adjustment Period

Curve graph illustrating the hype cycle for artificial intelligence
Figure 1: Hype cycle for Artifical Intelligence, 2024
Leo S. Lo drew historical parallels to illustrate the AI adjustment period, comparing it to past technological advancements that have been successfully navigated. He highlighted the Gartner Hype Cycle for AI, (see graph above) which studies the way trends evolve, noting that generative AI is past the peak of inflated expectations and is now heading into the trough of disillusionment. According to Chris Howard, Gartner’s Chief of Research, this phase is where the hard work takes place, figuring out how to make AI work effectively in real-world applications.

Key Findings from AI Literacy Studies

The webinar presented findings from two national AI literacy surveys conducted in the U.S. in May 2023 and June/July 2024. These surveys aimed to understand the baseline knowledge of AI among library professionals, identify gaps and opportunities, support professional development, and benchmark progress. The key findings of the first survey revealed a below-moderate self-rated understanding of AI concepts and familiarity with generative AI tools. There was a notable demand for training on advanced AI concepts, AI tools and applications, and addressing privacy and ethical concerns. About 34% of respondents had participated in any form of training or professional development, with a 74% strong emphasis on the urgency of addressing ethical and privacy issues. In the first survey only a minority strongly agreed that AI could be beneficial but by the time the second survey findings were revealed, a larger majority agreed that AI has the potential to significantly benefit library operations and the number of participants who had participated in any form of training or professional development had almost doubled at 66%.

Barriers to AI Adoption in Libraries

The webinar identified several barriers to AI adoption in libraries, including access to tools, knowledge gaps, time constraints, institutional issues, and personal reluctance. Limited availability of advanced AI tools, particularly in institutions without institutional subscriptions, hinders full engagement with AI technologies and can lead to a reliance on free tools which are limited. The lack of structured training leads to fragmented knowledge and reduced confidence in using AI tools. Balancing current workloads with the need to learn new technologies is challenging, leaving not a lot of time allocated to professional development. Institutional issues, such as lack of support from leadership and cultural resistance to adopting new technologies, may stifle innovation. Personal reluctance, including technological anxiety and resistance to change, may cause avoidance and delayed skill development.

Strategies to Overcome Barriers

To overcome these barriers, the webinar suggested several strategies. Experimenting with free and open-source AI tools while advocating for institutional subscriptions can help address the issue of access to tools. Implementing structured, step-by-step training programs and encouraging peer learning groups such as Communities of Practice, can bridge knowledge gaps. Introducing microlearning sessions and encouraging dedicated professional development hours for AI learning can help manage time constraints. Advocating for leadership buy-in through success stories of AI integration and fostering a culture of experimentation and risk-taking around technology use can address institutional issues. Addressing fears by demonstrating and emphasising AI as a tool to enhance, not replace, human roles, skills, creativity and productivity, and providing low-stakes opportunities to experiment with AI in daily tasks can help overcome personal reluctance.

Effective Adult Learning Strategies for AI Training

The webinar highlighted the importance of incorporating adult learning principles into AI training for library professionals. Indeed, this is applicable to AI training across industries. These principles include self-paced and flexible learning, collaborative/social learning, learning by doing, and experiential practical activities which have immediate relevance. Offering asynchronous online AI courses that staff can complete at their own pace and encouraging self-directed projects that incorporate AI tools can support self-paced learning. Creating team-based learning opportunities and using AI learning cohorts/sets can foster collaborative learning. Whilst forming Communities of practice can aid skill-building and responsible AI implementation through shared knowledge and experiences. Incorporating hands-on AI tool workshops and using live demonstrations and interactive exercises during training sessions can facilitate learning by doing. Tailoring AI literacy training to library-specific/functional use cases, such as enhancing cataloguing, improving reference services, digital marketing, or managing digital collections, can ensure practical, immediate relevance.

Case Study: University of New Mexico's GPT-4 Exploration Program

The webinar featured a case study on the University of New Mexico's GPT-4 Exploration Program, a pilot program launched in the summer of 2023. The program selected 10 volunteers from different units of the college, with varying levels of interest and prior AI knowledge. The college paid for the subscription fees of GPT-4 for the participants. The program was structured into three phases: Introduction and Training, Exploration and Experimentation, and Evaluation and Sharing. Participants worked on individual projects, utilising GPT-4 to address challenges or explore opportunities in their respective fields. The program outcomes included increased AI literacy and confidence, hands-on experimentation, and tailored projects. Interestingly the programme ran for 12 weeks. This timing aligns nicely with Microsoft’s finding about the 11 by 11 tipping point, whereby 11 minutes of time savings over 11 weeks is all it takes for most Gen AI users to feel the tool is useful and develop a habit that sticks.

Positive Outcomes and Participant Experiences

The GPT-4 Exploration Program resulted in significant positive outcomes and participant experiences. Pre-program assessments revealed a modest level of familiarity with generative AI tools. By the program's conclusion, the average familiarity rating had risen significantly, indicating a 54% increase in participants' comfort and proficiency with AI technologies. Testimonials from participants highlighted the transformative impact of the program, with AI being seen as a collaborator rather than a threat. Hands-on experimentation increased comfort with AI, prompt practice built critical skills, and tailored projects amplified engagement. However, challenges such as data privacy concerns, prompt engineering difficulties, and AI's lack of subject matter expertise were also noted.

Expanding the Upskilling Program

Building on the success of the GPT-4 Exploration Program, the University of New Mexico expanded the upskilling program to include AI for teaching, research, and Open Educational Resources (OER). In the summer of 2024, the program included AI for teaching faculty, AI for research using Scite.ai, and AI for OER. In the spring of 2025, the program plans to include AI for academic advising, with a cohort of 20+ academic advisors using generative AI for their work.

Conclusion

The "AI and Workforce Development in Libraries: Overcoming Barriers and Embracing Lifelong Learning 2024" webinar by Leo S. Lo provided valuable insights into the integration of AI in libraries. The importance of AI literacy, the barriers to its adoption, and strategies to overcome these barriers were explored. The case study on the University of New Mexico's GPT-4 Exploration Program highlighted the positive outcomes and participant experiences, demonstrating the potential of AI to transform library operations. By designing tailored training programmes which have leadership support, incorporating effective adult learning strategies and fostering collaborative communities of practice, libraries can equip their staff with the necessary skills and knowledge to embrace AI and future-proof their careers.

References:

Leo S. Lo, Transforming academic librarianship through AI reskilling: Insights from the GPT-4 exploration program, The Journal of Academic Librarianship (2024)

Leo S. Lo, Evaluating AI Literacy in Academic Libraries: A Survey Study with a Focus on U.S. Employees, College & Research Libraries (2024)

Leo S. Lo, AI and Workforce Development in Libraries: Overcoming Barriers and Embracing Lifelong Learning, Long Island Library Resources Council (2024)

Howard, C. It’s Here: The 2024 Gartner AI Hype Cycle Gartner (2024)

De Pretto, T. Digital Transformation and AI – Collaborating in the New Age of Work, Digital Leadership Forum (2024)

This blogpost was co-created with Microsoft Copilot.
Posted on Saturday, November 16, 2024 | Categories:

7 Nov 2024

Exploring CPD in Irish Libraries: Findings from the Informed Learning Survey

This guest post is written by librarian Clare Conneally, founder of Informed Learning, who recently undertook a survey about CPD in Irish libraries.

A cartoon stressed woman in a pink top checks her watch while surrounded by burning office items—a computer, clock, phone, and folders—symbolising overwhelming tasks and time pressure.
Obstacles to CDP. Picture credit Clare Conneally 2024

Informed Learning recently conducted a survey aimed at understanding the continuing professional development (CPD) needs and experiences of library staff in Ireland across various roles and library types. With 152 responses from 20 counties throughout Ireland, this survey offers insights into both the value placed on CPD and the barriers faced by those seeking growth in their roles. Here is a summary of the findings and trends that emerged.

Survey Overview

The survey attracted responses from 44 library assistants, 13 senior library assistants, 59 librarians (including assistant, executive, and senior librarians), and 36 other or unspecified roles. The completion rate was high at 75%, with an average completion time of 10 minutes across a maximum of 39 questions, depending on participants' specific responses. These responses offer a well-rounded look at CPD engagement and preferences within Ireland's library community.

A summary infographic for "Informed Learning Survey" highlights that most library staff see CPD (Continuing Professional Development) as essential but face time and access barriers. Key stats include: 57% engaged in formal CPD in the past year, 85% consider CPD vital for career growth, 63% lack a system to plan CPD, 86% cite time as a barrier. Preferred CPD formats include a mix of hands-on and lecture (62.6%), mostly hands-on (19%), and mostly lecture (18.4%). The infographic concludes that addressing time and accessibility can improve CPD impact.
Infographic 1: Key survey findings. Picture credit Clare Conneally 2024.

Key Findings

High Value of CPD

An overwhelming 85% of respondents see CPD as essential for career growth, underscoring the importance of ongoing learning and skill development in library roles. This ratio was consistent among all job titles. However, despite this high value, many find it challenging to access CPD due to time constraints and staffing issues—obstacles cited by 86% of respondents. This issue was particularly prevalent in public libraries, where respondents cited staffing shortages and high workloads as significantly affecting their ability to engage in CPD. 

Limited CPD Opportunities for School Librarians

School librarians face a particular challenge in accessing CPD, with 62% agreeing that they have limited opportunities to engage in professional development. Some respondents gave the reason that working as a solo librarian was the main reason for this. Additionally, one school librarian mentioned that the lack of a teaching council number limits their ability to attend courses relevant to their work, as many CPD courses for teachers would also be relevant to their role. 

Employer Support and Engagement

On a positive note, most respondents feel that their employers encourage CPD participation. However, only slightly more than half (57%) had engaged in formal CPD in the past year, with librarians being almost three times more likely to have participated than library assistants. This disparity highlights a need for increased accessibility to CPD for library assistants, who face unique challenges in securing time and funding, as explored below. 

CPD Planning and Reflective Practice

Planning CPD is another area of potential improvement, as 63% of respondents reported not having a structured system for this. Reflective Practice emerged as a topic of interest, with over half of the respondents familiar with the concept and 72% expressing interest in exploring it further in a small group setting.

Timing, Format, and Location Preferences

Respondents had varied preferences regarding the timing of CPD. Although summer was seen by some as an ideal time, others found it too busy. Academic and school librarians were more likely to find CPD feasible during summer or term breaks.

In terms of format, a blend of lectures and hands-on activities was the most popular choice, favoured by 62% of respondents. More respondents preferred shorter workshops to be completed online, while in-person delivery is desirable for full-day sessions, though location plays a significant role—those outside of Dublin are more likely to prefer online options.

Employer Funding and Influencing Factors

Nearly all respondents (98%) agreed that CPD costs should be funded or subsidised by employers. The topic and location of the CPD were the most influential factors in the decision to attend, with many finding CPD more appealing if it could take place within their own workplace alongside colleagues.

A summary infographic for "Informed Learning Survey"  highlights the ten most popular CPD topics: project management, designing for print, accessibility, Canva, infographics, technology for IL instruction, universal design, UX, coding, and Photoshop. Another chart shows the workplace distribution of respondents, primarily in public and academic libraries, followed by school, health, special, and law libraries, with a few in other libraries.
Infographic 2: Popular CPD topics and respondents' workplaces. Picture credit Clare Conneally 2024. 

Popular CPD Topics

The survey revealed a diverse range of topics respondents are interested in, from practical skills to new technology. The top topics chosen from the provided list, ranked by popularity, include:

  1. Project management

  2. Designing for print

  3. Accessibility

  4. Canva

  5. Infographics

  6. Technology for information literacy instruction

  7. Universal design

  8. UX (User Experience)

  9. Coding for librarians

  10. Photoshop/visual design programs

Most people learn about CPD offerings through their employers, followed by the Library Association of Ireland (LAI) and social media. The LAI CPD certification was also a motivating factor for many, adding perceived value to the offerings.

Barriers and Additional Considerations

Library assistants from all types of libraries, in particular, cited cost, relevance of courses to their roles, and questioning of necessity by employers as significant barriers to accessing CPD. Family commitments and childcare were also notable obstacles for various respondents, especially for CPD occurring in the evening. This highlights a need for increased accessibility and gender equity, as women are far more likely to be responsible for childcare or family care than men, and so are more likely to miss out on opportunities in the evening

Conclusion and Implications for CPD in Libraries

The findings from this survey underscore the critical role CPD plays in the professional lives of library staff and reveal both the enthusiasm for learning and the systemic barriers that need to be addressed. While there is strong support from employers, challenges like time constraints, accessibility, and lack of structured CPD planning remain. This feedback highlights the need for CPD offerings that are flexible, affordable, and accessible, particularly for library assistants and those outside major urban areas.

These insights will inform the development of Informed Learning’s future CPD programs, ensuring they are aligned with the needs and preferences of library staff across Ireland. I look forward to supporting library professionals as they continue their learning journey, striving to make CPD more inclusive, engaging, and impactful for all levels within the library community. I hope others involved in CPD can also use these insights to their advantage. 

By addressing these barriers and tailoring programs to fit diverse needs, we can collectively enhance the professional growth and job satisfaction of library staff. I founded informed Learning because I think one of the things the library community does best is learning, and it is evident from the results of the survey that there is a huge appetite for learning in the library community in Ireland. 

Thank you to everyone who took part in the survey, your time and effort is greatly appreciated. 

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References

Central Statistics Office. (2020, December 7). Percentage of persons aged 15 years and over providing care by hours care per week and sex. https://www.cso.ie/en/releasesandpublications/hubs/p-wmi/womenandmeninirelandhub/genderequality/timeuse 





Posted on Thursday, November 07, 2024 | Categories: