The purpose of these guidelines are to enable individuals to exercise personal responsibility for taking appropriate action to establish and maintain intellectual and personal development relevant to current employment and anticipated future work.

ACTION        Show commitment to continuing professional development and career renewal.

Good Practice

• Participate in developmental activities organized by employer, academic institutions or professional bodies.
• Attend professional meetings. Join and be involved in appropriate professional and library associations at the local, state and national level.

ACTION        Identify personal needs for career renewal.

Good Practice

• Use a development plan to assist in meeting the needs of your job and career and to contribute to your organization's performance.
• Identify relevant needs and opportunities in your employing organization together with personal interests and goals.
• Seek advice from those with expertise in areas you wish to explore.

ACTION        Develop a personal continuing professional development plan.

Good Practice

• Discuss your ideas and plans with your employer, supervisor, mentor, professional colleagues. When appropriate, use an existing performance appraisal/career development system.
• Obtain information and advice from your supervisor or others in your employing organization or professional colleagues.

ACTION        Implement your career renewal plan.

Good Practice

• Wherever possible, ensure that your intended personal growth and development contributes to job performance within 12 months.
• Determine the appropriate amount of developmental activity to be carried out. As a guide in each year, a range between 28-46 hours (the equivalent of 4-6 average working days) of developmental activities is recommended. Note: Best practice in other fields exceeds this figure.
• A variety of learning methods should be used depending on the particular learning objectives; the cost-effectiveness of different activities; your preferred learning style.

ACTION        Record continuing professional development activities, review the program in terms of your job and career goals, and assess benefits.

Good Practice

• Jointly examine, with your supervisor, the effectiveness and value of a career renewal program to you and to your employing institution. Agree on further action.