Abstract

This book offers innovative tips and tried-and-tested best practice to enable library and knowledge workers to take control of professional development regardless of the budget and time available to them. 
Continuing professional development (CPD) is a key component of a successful and satisfying career. Part of the Practical Tips for Library and Information Professionals series, this book offer a wide range of ideas and methods for all library and information professionals to manage the development of those who work for and with them. 
You will find flexible tips and implementation advice on topics including: 

• enabling others to plan, reflect on and evaluate their personal development
• appraisals and goal setting: linking personal objectives to organizational objectives
• performance management
• sourcing funding to attend and run events
• planning formal development activities such as courses and conferences
• accessing informal activities
• using social media as a development tool
• role of professional bodies and networks
• mentoring, buddying and coaching
• networking.  

Readership: All library and information professionals who have responsibility for managing, mentoring and training staff and individuals wishing to manage their own CPD.
This resource will be useful to librarians wishing to try something new in developing their own careers or their employees’ skills and abilities. The book is likely to be most beneficial for middle managers and those who work in human resources or organizational development. This volume’s organizational structure lends itself to use as a reference book or on an a-la-carte basis.

Hector Escobar
Director of Education and Information Delivery, University of Dayton
Reference & User Services Quarterly
Gil Young has worked in the academic, health and public library sectors. She is currently employed as the NHS LKS Workforce Development Manager for the Health Care Libraries Unit North. She is a CILIP Fellow and an associate member of the CIPD. She is also a CILIP mentor and was the first winner of the CILIP mentor of the year award.
Tracey Pratchett has a flexible and innovative approach to developing both herself and others within her team. She has worked in the health sector for 9 years as a Clinical Librarian, and for the past year as the Knowledge and Library Services Manager at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals. Prior to this Tracey worked in both further education and public libraries. Many of the tips in this book have been used by Tracey to develop her current role and to benefit her team. As the joint project lead for the MAP (Making Alignment a Priority) toolkit (https://maptoolkit.wordpress.com/), and a member of the Knowledge for Healthcare Metrics Working Group, Tracey enjoys sharing learning and developing staff through both informal and formal networks.
Practical Tips for Developing Your Staff is a methodical guide written by information professionals, for information professionals and librarians. Chapters offer a wide array of activities and tools to help professionals in the field tap the full potential of their staff ... Highly recommended. 

Midwest Book Review
Sound advice that will appeal to new managers and mentors of information professionals.

Library Journal
This book offers innovative tips and tried-and-tested best practice to enable library and knowledge workers to take control of professional development regardless of the budget and time available to them. Continuing professional development (CPD) is a key component of a successful and satisfying career. Part of the Practical Tips for Library and Information Professionals series, this book offer a wide range of ideas and methods for all library and information professionals to manage the development of those who work for and with them. You will find flexible tips and implementation advice on topics including: • enabling others to plan, reflect on and evaluate their personal development • appraisals and goal setting: linking personal objectives to organizational objectives • performance management • sourcing funding to attend and run events • planning formal development activities such as courses and conferences • accessing informal activities • using social media as a development tool • role of professional bodies and networks • mentoring, buddying and coaching • networking. Readership: All library and information professionals who have responsibility for managing, mentoring and training staff and individuals wishing to manage their own CPD.
This volume may be helpful to librarians who are very new to the profession, or to potential LIS students who might want to know more about what it’s like to work in a library and how library professionals can develop their skills before choosing the profession.

Mary Beth Lock
Z. Smith Reynolds Library, Wake Forest University
Technical Services Quarterly
I’d highly recommend this book both for first time or seasoned library managers. There is something in there that managers may not have thought of or tips and takeaways that managers could certainly benefit from. I’d equally recommend this book to solo librarians who are interested in career planning and may not have the means or resources to fund CPD. Every library manager should find a spot on their reference shelf for this book.

Aoife Lawton
Health Service Executive Ireland National Health Library & Knowledge Service
Health Libraries Group Newsletter