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

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.

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.

Social Media

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/clareconneally
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/informedlearning/

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

7 Nov 2024