Education and Training Section
Strategic Plan
2008-2009
Mission
The Section Education and Training (SET) of IFLA aims to improve
Library and Information Science (LIS) education and to strengthen the
links between foundational education and continuing professional
development for professional and paraprofessional library staff.
The Education and Training Section strives to support and enhance
LIS education in all countries, especially in developing countries, by
working with and encouraging discussion amongst all stakeholders,
including LIS educators, employers, professional associations and
accrediting bodies, thereby seeking to place LIS education and training
on the agenda.
The Education and Training Section actively supports the Profession
Pillar of IFLA to improve methods, technical means and standards
through education and training. The activities of the Education and
Training Section are therefore relevant to all Divisions and Sections
of IFLA and therefore acts as an advisory body in matters concerned
with LIS education and training.
Goals
1. Foster international cooperation and interchange of
experience amongst educators and practitioners providing foundation and
continuing library and information science education
programs.
(Professional Priorities: (h) Developing
Library Professionals)
Actions
1.1 To develop a program of activity that encourages a high level of
interest and collaboration amongst the members of the Section.
[This then feeds into the subsequent goals.]
2. Uphold, strengthen and harmonise the academic and
professional status of LIS staff through internationally recognised
qualifications for LIS positions.
(Professional Priorities: (h) Developing
Library Professionals)
Actions
2.1 Review the Guidelines for Professional Library /Information
Educational Programmes 2000 (3rd revised draft 2003) to determine
their currency and relevancy for LIS education and professional
development in the dynamic information environment.
2.2 Maintain the online database on quality assurance in LIS
education programs and publish it on the SET website.
2.3 Develop international criteria for quality assurance of LIS
education programs.
3. Maintain a current directory of world-wide LIS
educational programs, including continuing education and national LIS
standards
(Professional Priorities: (h) Developing
Library Professionals)
Actions
3.1 Develop strategies to update the World Guide to Library,
Archive, and Information Science Education to ensure accuracy and
currency of information on LIS education programs.
3.2 Transfer key elements of the print version of the World Guide
to Library, Archive, and Information Science Education to an
electronic database that is published on the SET website to
disseminate the information more widely. The database should include
the programs of library and information professional training that
are delivered on campus and by open and distance education and that
have state or public certification, together with relevant national
LIS educational standards.
4. Foster the multicultural principles of IFLA
(Professional Priorities: (h) Developing
Library Professionals)
Actions
4.1 Explore ways to have corresponding members of the section from
cultures and countries not represented on the Standing Committee to
become more active through more regular communications with the
Section. (In the past we have not been successful in establishing
communications with our corresponding members thus limiting our
ability to have as much cultural diversity on ETS that might be
desired.)
5. Disseminate information on innovative curriculum
development and creative teaching methodologies and materials
(Professional Priorities: (h) Developing
Library Professionals)
Actions
5.1 Newsletter: Issue a newsletter twice a year in print and
electronic format. The focus of the newsletter will be emerging
issues in library and information science education, including
curriculum development and teaching methodologies and materials on
literacy and digital librarianship.
5.2 Produce workshops and programs at IFLA conferences on
curriculum development and creative teaching methodologies and
materials and disseminate the content of these programs in the
Newsletter to the membership of the section.
6. Establish new professional guidelines to encourage the
incorporation of new knowledge, skills and competencies in traditional
and open and distance LIS education programs
(Professional Priorities: (h) Developing
Library Professionals); (i) Promoting Standards, Guidelines and Best
Practices)
Actions
6.1 Review and revise the Guidelines for Professional Library
/Information Educational Programmes 2000 (3rd revised draft 2003) to
determine their currency and relevancy in the dynamic environment of
LIS education. Specific attention should be made to the core
knowledge and skills, the minimum educational requirements, the
levels of teaching staff and quality assurance.
6.2 Continue sponsorship of E-Learning discussion group.
7. Encourage and support the development of conference
programs that develop the understanding of all stakeholders in
foundational education and continuing professional development for
professional and paraprofessional library staff.
(Professional Priorities: (h) Developing
Library Professionals)
Actions
7.1 Establish planning committees and develop programs for
forthcoming conferences, drawing on opportunities for collaboration
with other Sections:
- Quebec 2008: focus on paraprofessional education programs
- Milan 2009: focus on cultural heritage
- Brisbane 2010
8. Foster a culture of LIS research in foundation and
continuing education programs
(Professional Priorities: (h) Developing
Library Professionals)
Actions
8.1 Collaborate with the Section on Library Theory and Research to
strengthen the interest in the role of the LIS educator in
research.
8.2 Encourage a stronger awareness amongst stakeholders about the
need for and value of studies in research methodologies in LIS
courses.
9. Establish an annual LIS Student Award to attend the IFLA
World Library and Information Congress, managed by the SET.
(Professional Priorities: (h) Developing
Library Professionals)
Actions
9.1 Develop the proposal and guidelines for an LIS Student Award
to be submitted for approval by IFLA.
10. Increase membership of the SET
(Professional Priorities: (h) Developing
Library Professionals)
Actions
10.1 Develop a recruitment strategy to attract more LIS schools to
become members of SET.
10.2 Arrange for the SET Membership brochure to be translated into
Italian to increase awareness and membership of the SET in Italy.