PD FAQs
What is PD?
PD refers to any activity you undertake or participate in to enhance your personal and professional knowledge and skills outside your regular job responsibilities. Up-to-date skills - and the ability to make full use of your abilities - is valuable to both you and your employer.
Can I join ALIA's PD scheme?
Yes you can if you are a personal 'Associate' or 'Library Technician' member of ALIA. Associate members hold an ALIA-recognised librarian qualification at undergraduate or postgraduate level and use the postnominal AALIA whilst a financial member of ALIA. Library technician members hold an ALIA-recognised library technician qualification and use the postnominal ALIATec whilst a financial member of ALIA.
How do I join the PD scheme?
Eligible members can elect to join the scheme at any time during a financial year. You can register online or download [57.3kb pdf] ALIA's PD registration form and return it to ALIA national office.
Is there a fee to join the PD scheme?
No, there is no additional fee to join the PD scheme. It is a benefit incorporated within personal 'professional' ALIA membership.
Have you joined the scheme but not sure where to start?
The ALIA career development kit is a good starting point. It is designed to help you (and your employer) analyse your skills and highlight areas that you need to work on to develop those skills and acquire new ones. The kit helps you to plan your PD activities. If you are participating in the scheme, you are eligible to claim 20 points (maximum) upon completion of the kit.
I am an Institutional representative with an ALIA-recognised librarian qualification - am I eligible to join PD scheme?
You are invited to keep your skills up to date by participating in the training and development opportunities provided by ALIA but you are not able to join ALIA's PD scheme to have this participation recognised. Only personal (professional) Associate and Library technician members are eligible to join ALIA's PD scheme, use the additional Certified Practitioner (CP) post nominal and apply for the distinction of Associate Fellow. To take advantage of member discounts, visit PD Services for Institutional members and members.
Which activities are classed as PD?
The scope of PD activities is wide-ranging. Check out the summary of activities table to help you select your PD activities, see how points are allocated and familiarise yourself with the record keeping requirements for audit. Still unsure? Contact ALIA's PD officer by e-mail or ph 02 6215 8258.
How many points do I need to accumulate?
You need to collect 30 points (minimum) each year and 120 points (minimum) each triennium (3 years). You will need to collect more than the minimum annual requirement at sometime during each triennium because 30 + 30 + 30 = 90 not 120!
How many points can I collect if I am an office-bearer in an ALIA group and a member of a conference planning committee?
Your support of the Association is appreciated. ALIA recognises your participation in these activities as a PD activity in which you can collect 1 point per hour to a maximum of 5 points per year as an office-bearer in an ALIA group and 10 points per year for active participation in a conference planning committee. Your contribution as an office-bearer is also rewarded with an ALIA Silver Pin.
How can I keep my skills up-to date if I can't attend PD events?
You don't necessarily have to travel to PD events. You can undertake PD where and when you like - at home, in-house or externally; online, face-to-face, self-paced learning through audio, video, CD media, television programs; in the city, regional and rural areas, overseas; alone or with others; during or after working hours. You can tailor a learning program to suit your individual needs whether you are working full-time, part-time, free-lancing or temporarily out of the workforce. Use ALIA's career development kit to get started and check out ALIA's PD services for a wide range of options.
Does ALIA accredit PD activities or providers?
No. ALIA has partnerships with professional training providers whose courses meet ALIA PD standards. It's up to you to identify which activities best suit your immediate and long-term needs.
When can I use the post-nominal, 'CP'?
You are eligible to use the additional Certified Practitioner (CP) post-nominal when you have participated in the scheme for one year and accumulated a minimum of 30 points and continue to meet PD compliance requirements.
When you accumulate 120 points over a PD triennium (three years), you may apply for a Certified Practitioner certificate. To apply, download the application form [pdf, 108K] and return your details as instructed. A certificate fee of $36 (including GST) is payable at the time of application.
AALIA(CP) and ALIATec(CP) members display to their colleagues, employers and the sector a level of commitment to career-long learning that will eventually lead to an opportunity to apply for the distinction of Associate Fellow. To apply, download the application form [pdf 310K] and return your completed form to the Manager, education, policy and research at ALIA National Office.
Am I eligible for exemption from PD requirements?
You may be eligible for exemption:
- on medical grounds;
- during period of extended leave;
- if you took maternity leave; or
- for unforeseen circumstances beyond your control.
Contact the PD officer , ph 02 6215 8216 for more information.
What happens if I do not meet my PD obligations?
When you cease to participate in the scheme or fail to meet compliance requirements, you are no longer permitted to use the post-nominal 'CP'. You may submit a plan for making up the deficiency or, if appropriate, apply for an exemption.
What happens if I let my membership lapse?
You are ineligible to participate in the PD scheme if you allow your ALIA membership to lapse. You are welcome to re-join the scheme when you re-join ALIA but are required to re-commence your triennium and compliance requirements from that date i.e. accumulate a minimum of 30 points annually and 120 points over a triennium (three years).
Why do I need to keep a record of my PD activities?
All members participating in the PD scheme must maintain a personal record of time spent on PD activities to satisfy audit enquiries by the Board of Directors. You do not need to provide ALIA with details of this record unless you are selected for audit and asked to establish proof of compliance. You can track your PD points online, using the ALIA PD tracking database and can download the recording sheets required for audit.
When will I be audited?
A random audit of 10 per cent of PD scheme participants is carried out annually to ensure you are complying with the requirements of the scheme. You will not be audited more than once in a three year period. Find out how the audit process works.
How can I meet people with similar interests?
It's easy! Join an ALIA e-list, ALIA group or ALIA mentoring program to participate in PD activities relevant to you, network, exchange ideas and information, be involved and mutually support each other.
Is there a PD-elist?
Yes, aliaCPD is the e-list affiliated with professional development. To subscribe head to the aliaCPD web interface - you'll be communicating with the rest of the group in no time at all...this is where you can post and receive notices about PD events.
Need more information?
Contact the ALIA PD officer , phone 02 6215 8258 or fax 02 6282 2249.
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