Continuing professional development (CPD) opportunities in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) for academic librarians at the Durban University of Technology

Abstract

Librarians have to ensure that they are kept abreast of the changes in their discipline and are continuously trained to handle new technologies and systems. The changes in the ICT and the impact on the LIS sector should be the catalyst for emphasising the need for training and skills for librarians. Librarians have a role to fulfil by empowering their users in how to search and retrieve relevant information. Continuing professional development (CPD) was introduced as a means to ensure that professionals continuously update their knowledge and skills. The purpose of this study was to highlight the importance of CPD for the academic librarians based at the Durban University of Technology Library. This study employed a qualitative approach in its research design. Questionnaires were utilised to extract information from twenty-five academic librarians. A follow-up interview session was conducted with five respondents. The overall study indicated that although the librarians were aware of the importance of CPD and the impact of ICT on the library, not all of them kept abreast of CPD activities within their field. It is recommended that LIASA and relevant stakeholders need to unite to rollout CPD activities within their disciplines and ensure that librarians are participating in CPD activities and are keeping abreast of changes within the sector.