PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION CHANGES COURSE AGAIN

IT is possible to look upon continuing education from a number of different perspectives. Some regard it as a method of personal self‐development, and what evidence already exists suggests that there is much truth in this. Some librarians would emphasise the need for staff to prepare themselves for new posts, or new responsibilities in their present posts; others will simply think of continuing education as a means whereby gaps in professional knowledge can be bridged. One of the many silly remarks in the Library Association discussion document, the Draft code of professional ethics, stated: “The librarian has … a continuing obligation in the interests of the client to keep abreast of developments and applications in all branches of professional practice in which qualifications and experience entitle him or her to engage”. The response of one department of library studies at least to the Green Paper pointed out the sheer impossibility of this—of doing a good job of work, eating, sleeping, looking after a family, and undertaking those high‐sounding social roles outlined in the foreword to the Green Paper, and keeping abreast of developments and applications in all branches of professional practice. All you can reasonably hope for is to keep abreast of what directly concerns you—and there may be a good deal of self‐development involved in that—and hope that one day there will be an opportunity to catch up or to extend your personal horizons.