Professional Development IS a Wellness Program and Advocating for Yourself

Libraries need to look at their professional development to ensure the growth of employees to maintain, grow, or learn skills needed at their Library, to attract new employees, motivate and retain employees, as part of a succession plan, and in some cases provide credits toward professional certifications. A successful professional development program is employee-centric, flexible, and satisfies employees' well-being needs. The presentation will also talk to the need of employees to advocate for their own development needs and wants.

Objectives include aligning employer library needs and wants with employee needs and wants through an employee concentric professional development program that helps to satisfy employee well-being. Also, employees need to advocate for their own professional development needs, this presentation will provide guidelines for that advocacy.