Professional Development Activities for Librarians

Professional development is an ongoing part of building a successful career in librarianship. Libraries change as technology, community needs and ways of accessing information evolve. Developing your skills helps you keep pace, make a stronger contribution at work and explore new career opportunities.

Professional development does not have to mean attending a formal course. It can include practical projects, peer learning, volunteering, reading and reflecting on your work. The most useful activities are those that connect with your goals and give you a chance to put new knowledge into practice.

Attend courses, workshops and webinars

Short courses and workshops can help you build skills in areas such as cataloguing, information literacy, digital services, research support, leadership or customer service. Webinars are another accessible way to learn about new tools and approaches, particularly if you have limited time or a small training budget.

Before signing up, consider what you want to learn and how you might use it in your role. After the session, note down key ideas and choose one practical step to try.

Take part in conferences and professional events

Conferences, seminars and local professional events offer the chance to hear about developments across the sector and meet people working in different types of library. They can introduce you to new ideas, specialist interests and potential mentors or collaborators.

If attending in person is not possible, look for online events or recordings. You could also share a useful session with colleagues and discuss how its ideas might apply to your library.

Learn from colleagues

Peer learning makes everyday experience a valuable development resource. Ask a colleague to demonstrate a process, observe how they handle a particular task, or arrange a session to share knowledge across the team. You might also join a professional network or discussion group to learn from librarians outside your organisation.

Informal conversations can be especially helpful when exploring areas such as working with different communities, managing projects or moving into a new specialism.

Find a mentor or become one

A mentor can offer encouragement, perspective and practical advice as you work towards your career goals. Mentoring might involve occasional conversations about challenges, skills or possible next steps. It need not be a formal arrangement, but agreeing expectations and meeting regularly can help make it useful.

More experienced professionals can also develop their own skills by mentoring others. Supporting a colleague can strengthen communication, coaching and leadership abilities.

Develop digital and information skills

Digital services are an important part of many library roles. Depending on your work and interests, you could develop skills in digital literacy teaching, online research, accessibility, data management, digital preservation or the use of library systems.

Try a small project to put your learning into practice. For example, you might review an online guide, improve the accessibility of a digital resource or help colleagues understand a new system.

Volunteer for a project or new responsibility

A short-term project can help you gain experience beyond your usual duties. You might contribute to an event, review a collection, support an outreach activity or help improve a service. These opportunities can develop planning, communication, teamwork and problem-solving skills.

Be clear about the time involved and what you hope to learn. A well-defined project is more likely to benefit both you and your organisation.

Read, listen and keep up to date

Professional journals, books, newsletters, blogs and podcasts can help you follow changes in librarianship and related fields. Choose sources that reflect your interests, and make time to consider how the ideas relate to your own work.

Keeping a short record of useful articles, resources and questions can make it easier to return to what you have learnt and share it with others.

Build transferable skills

Librarians use a wide range of skills that are valuable across many workplaces. These include clear communication, research, organisation, customer service, teaching, problem-solving and attention to detail. You can develop them through presentations, project work, committee participation or helping to train colleagues.

When reflecting on an activity, think about the skills you used as well as the task you completed. This can help you explain your experience in applications and interviews.

Create a professional development plan

A simple plan can turn good intentions into manageable actions. Start by identifying a goal, such as becoming more confident teaching information skills or learning about academic librarianship. Then consider:

• What skills or knowledge do you need to develop?
• Which activity would help you learn them?
• What time, support or resources will you need?
• How will you know whether the activity has been useful?

Review your plan regularly and adjust it as your interests or circumstances change. Keep a record of courses, projects, feedback and achievements. This can help you recognise your progress and identify what to work on next.

Make development part of your career

Professional development is most effective when it is continuous and relevant to your goals. You do not need to do everything at once: one thoughtful activity can make a meaningful difference. By staying curious, learning with others and applying new skills in practice, you can continue to grow as a librarian and contribute to the communities your library serves.

 

Enhancing Your Career: Five Essential Tips for Professional Development Activities

1. Set a clear learning goal for each activity.
2. Choose training that supports your career plans.
3. Ask your manager about mentoring opportunities.
4. Apply new skills to a real work task.
5. Review your progress and plan your next step.

Set a clear learning goal for each activity.

Set a clear learning goal for each professional development activity so you know what you want to gain from it. For example, before attending a workshop, decide which skill or area of knowledge you hope to improve and how you might apply it in your role. A specific goal helps you focus, make the most of your time and assess afterwards whether the activity was useful.

Choose training that supports your career plans.

Choose training that supports your career plans by first identifying the skills and knowledge you’ll need for your next step. Whether you hope to move into management, specialise in archives or develop digital services, look for courses and learning opportunities that match your goals. This helps you make the best use of your time and gives you practical skills you can apply in your current role as well as your future career.

Ask your manager about mentoring opportunities.

Ask your manager whether your organisation offers mentoring opportunities or can help you find a suitable mentor. A mentor can share experience, offer a fresh perspective and help you work towards professional goals, whether you are new to librarianship or planning your next career move. Think about what you would like support with, such as building confidence, developing a particular skill or exploring a new area of library work, so you can make the most of the opportunity.

Apply new skills to a real work task.

Put new skills into practice by applying them to a real work task. For example, after learning about accessibility, review a library guide or online resource and make improvements. Using what you have learnt helps build confidence, shows how the skill works in context and makes it easier to identify what you might need to learn next.

Review your progress and plan your next step.

Reviewing your progress helps you recognise what you have learnt, which skills you have strengthened and what you would still like to develop. Take time to reflect on feedback, note your achievements and consider how your recent activities support your career goals. Then choose one realistic next step, such as attending a workshop, taking on a new responsibility or speaking with a mentor, and set a date to get started.