BCLA is pleased to introduce our Provincial Professional Development Program. We gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Province of British Columbia through the Ministry of Municipal Affairs, which has made the program possible.
In 2023, BCLA received a one-time grant to pilot a three-year provincial library training and development program. The goal of the program is to offer access to professional development that reflects the current and evolving issues and trends in libraries, with a focus specifically on the BC context. This includes:
- offering webinars and other professional development opportunities
- creating opportunities for library workers in BC to develop and strengthen communities of practice, build connections with colleagues, and learn from one another
- creating and collating professional materials and resources
- identifying and promoting professional development opportunities from other sources
All Provincial Professional Development Program events are virtual, and the BCLA Online Community Guidelines apply.
Find out about upcoming events on the Continuing Education Opportunities & Recordings webpage and and follow the BCLA Professional Development Forum for updates and dialogue. If you have an idea for a topic or session, please let us know!
BCLA has also developed foundational documents for the Provincial Professional Development Program, which other organizations are encouraged to adopt or adapt to suit their needs:
Honorarium Guidelines
An honorarium is an expression of gratitude to volunteer presenters who are experts in their field and have lived experience to share. These guidelines are intended to provide clarity and transparency in how BCLA manages honoraria: BCLA Honorarium Guidelines (PDF version)
Equity Pricing Registration Fee Model
To create a sustainable model for the Provincial Professional Development Program and deliver high-quality professional development opportunities throughout the year, registration fees are required for webinars and other virtual events. We are able to offer some events free of charge thanks to grants or partnerships; when we do charge registration, we are piloting using an Equity Pricing Registration Fee Model (PDF version).
Our vision is a more equitable model that can better accommodate those from smaller or rural libraries, or those who are experiencing different financial capacities that may otherwise prevent them from attending. As a result, we are offering a limited number of registrations for any paid webinar or virtual event at an equity price, based on self assessment.
If you have questions about the program, the foundations documents, or want to have a conversation about professional development, please reach out to Natalie Porter, Provincial Professional Development Coordinator.