Post on 11-Nov-2014
description
Library Association of Ireland Awards of Associateship (ALAI) &
Fellowship (FLAI)
Western Regional Section, Galway
Deirdre Ellis-King LAI & UCD SILS 23rd June 2014
Deirdre Ellis-King WRSLAI Galway 2014
LAI Awards : Background to Fellowship as Primary level Professional Qualification
Fellowship (FLAI) LAI incorporated 1952 : New Memorandum & Articles of Association/New Categories of professional Membership -FLAI
Who Was eligible for FLAI Award ?
1) Members holding Executive Positions….on or before incorporation of LAI 3 March 19522) Holders of Recognised Diplomas with 5 years experience in recognised library before 3
March 1952 and,
Those eligible from March 1952 - the future:
3) Those who completed courses as set down by LAI, who passed the examinations laid down by LAI and presented an accepted thesis…
The future was FLAI by Examination & Thesis – a primary level professional qualification
Deirdre Ellis-King WRSLAI Galway 2014
Fellowship(FLAI)of LAI : Built on Professional Collegiality
Deirdre Ellis-King WRSLAI Galway 2014
FLAI- Early history-Exam & Thesis Regulations, Syllabus, Exam Board 1952
Examinations commenced 1953 : Progression to FLAI -exams over 3 years followed by research + minor thesis; Categories 1) & 2) of FLAI award scheme discontinued in 1960 .. CHANGE and Progression 1970 • Reliance on LAI to offer full route to professional qualification not
sustainable… tutors, examiners, government ‘in-action’ on quals…• Decision taken for LAI to withdraw from offering Professional
Qualification by exam + thesis. FLAI only available for those already holding approved alternative qualifications in Librarianship eg.UCD
FLAI by Major Thesis to be a post-academic qualification, LAI Award…• FLAI by exam & thesis phased out over 1972-1978… End of status of
FLAI as primary level qualification…changes 2007, but first …ALAI
Deirdre Ellis-King WRSLAI Galway 2014
Associateship - a post academic LAI validated Professional Award
Professional Qualifications in Public Sector1969 - Declared essential by Government for Chief Librarians;1971 - Declared essential for relevant lower grades; A Story of decades of advocacy & conflict … Achievement
Recognition that Librarianship was a Profession Story of advocacy & conflict continued through the 1970s & 1980s -
changes to UCD DipLib & move to a ‘Graduate Profession’ Associateship (ALAI) A signal of achievement in Battle for Professional Qualifications• 1989 Associateship (ALAI) of the LAI introduced - Why ALAI ?
Deirdre Ellis-King WRSLAI Galway 2014
Associateship (ALAI) Why ?Recognition of Professional Status : Achievement & Confidence New Issues of concern & debate for the LAI
• Standards - Recognition of Academic Qualifications, Status of Profession • Focus on Advocacy to Government/employers of requirement for professional competencies in a
dynamic information age • Need to encourage & support professionalism, staff development, CPD & for the professional Body to regulate for professional competencies
Pathway to ALAI affirmed at EGM 1988 • To affirm the role of the professional body in recognising academic awards• To give professional recognition by way of ALAI to academic awards extended by professional
achievement and experience &• To publish Register of Award Holders - A Signal : Librarianship a ‘Profession ‘
–
Deirdre Ellis-King WRSLAI Galway 2014
The ALAI : ActionsA Benchmark of Professional Achievement
Regulations published 1989 - First Elections to ALAI Register• Time given to eligible members to seek recognition;• Register of ALAI awardees published & distributed to Government
agencies & employers;• Contact established with Government advocating LAI role as validating
body for relevant qualifications;• Validating role established: LAI ’self-declared’ professional
responsibility for regulation of profession - mutual recognition of professional qualifications within Europe
ALAI - the Professional Body conferring professional recognition based on evidence of practical competence & achievement - post approved academic qualification
Regulations for ALAI revised 2004, updated 2013...
F
FLAI updated in 200? - new mode of Fellowship
Deirdre Ellis-King WRSLAI Galway 2014
Library Association of Ireland Schemes of Award Pathway to Associateship (ALAI)
Requirements for Application
Candidate must be Personal Member in good standing , hold approved qualification in librarianship recognised by LAI & satisfy LAI criteria for professional recognition… info on website
Key criteria-Have approved qualification /Practical Experience -two years post-qualification - Does not need to be continuous or full-time
- Apply, using LAI Form accompanied by Continuing Professional Development Report (500 words) & supporting documentation…
Report : personal record /experience
Deirdre Ellis-King WRSLAI Galway 2014
Associateship (ALAI)Why should you apply ?
Deirdre Ellis-King WRSLAI Galway 2014
ALAI Why should you apply?
Benefits to you Continuation of personal
learning / Recognition of academic course;
Signal of professional achievement / Use of ‘ALAI’/ In Register of Associates;
Building career focused profile;Evidence of CPD activity;Professional Identity Statement, Motivations differ…
Benefits to LAIMeeting its aims/objectives; Building a strong committed
professional membership;Signalling its position as a
learned Body of international import;
Planning capacity for LAI future;
Encouraging a learning community/society…
Deirdre Ellis-King WRSLAI Galway 2014
ALAI Recipients at AGM Dublin 2007 Benefits & Motivations
Deirdre Ellis-King WRSLAI Galway 2014
Library Association of Ireland
Application for Associateship (ALAI) Formalities
• Ensure eligibility • Compile relevant documentation eg evidence of
qualifications, career record, practical experience, publications, presentations, LAI involvement, committee work, ‘informal learning ‘ give learning relevance / outcomes , ... See CPD Policy doc on LAI website
• Prepare continuing professional development report : a personal record (500 words). Get help. Marie Cullen, (NUIM) ‘Record, Recognise and Reflect…’
• Complete form and submit
Deirdre Ellis-King WRSLAI Galway 2014
Fellowship (FLAI) the highest Professional Award of LAI - the Learning Journey…
Deirdre Ellis-King WRSLAI Galway 2014
Pathways to Fellowship ( FLAI) Continuing Commitment and Achievement
Pathways to FLAI : Progression as a Professional (A) Research & Major Thesis (B) Submission : Professional Portfolio
Pathway : A Personal Choice -Research Interest -Development of Professional Portfolio with strong
supporting evidence of achievement at the highest level
Deirdre Ellis-King WRSLAI Galway 2014
FLAI by Research & Thesis :The Potential
Deirdre Ellis-King WRSLAI Galway 2014
Fellowship by Research & Thesis Regulations & Guidelines
The Challenge : Add to the body of knowledge in librarianship• Regulations & Guidelines for thesis @ www.libraryassociation.ie;
The Research Topic• Build on your strengths, your library interests eg. Rare books, Local studies….
Investigate new means of expanding user services ….information services underpinning legal or medical teams…
• Look at previous theses topics for LAI and elsewhere …
• LAI will appoint a supervisor
• Potential for publication
Deirdre Ellis-King WRSLAI Galway 2014
FLAI : Application for the highest Professional Award- Assessment 1
FLAI by Professional Portfolio Meet the Criteria ? Info on LAI website -
Submit Professional Portfolio meeting assessment criteria including evidence of :
– Appreciable professional achievement– Continuity of involvement in professional development – Having added significant value to all or aspects of the
profession
and also…
Deirdre Ellis-King WRSLAI Galway 2014
Fellowship : the highest Professional Award of LAI: Assessment 2
FLAI by Professional Portfolio, evidence of : • Demonstrable continuity in range of competencies
significantly beyond Associateship candidates;• Strengthened evaluative /analytical skills applied at high
level;• Added to body of knowledge through strategic innovation in
professional practice, contribution to profession nationally/internationally or/and by research or publication…
Candidate will likely be in position of influence within the Profession
Deirdre Ellis-King WRSLAI Galway 2014
Fellowship of the Library Association of Ireland :Help at hand - Useful links
Deirdre Ellis-King WRSLAI Galway 2014
Library Association of Ireland ALAI & FLAI Some useful references/links
• www.libraryassociation.ie Regulations & Guidelines for ALAI and FLAI/approved qualification list/ Application forms/ CPD record form …
• https://librarystaffdevelopment.wordpress.com Maynooth library staff experiences of undertaking ALAI & FLAI
• Ellis-King Deirdre (2008) Tracing the Path of Professional Education for public library staff:1928-2008 An Leabharlann:The Irish Library 17 (3) 6-16.
• Burns, Jane & Fallon, Helen((2012) The Fellowship of the Library Association of Ireland (FLAI) Reflections and Guidelines An Leabharlann :The Irish Library 21(2) 6-9 [Personal experiences of undertaking FLAI via Professional Portfolio] also at www.e.prints.nuim.com
Contact Secretary of CPD Education Committee www.libraryassociation.ie Talk to FLAI award holders…
Deirdre Ellis-King WRSLAI Galway 2014
ALAI, FLAI, They Did It : So can You
Library Association of Ireland Awards of Associateship (ALAI) &
Fellowship (FLAI)
Western Regional Section, Galway
Deirdre Ellis-King LAI & UCD SILS 23rd June 2014