Cultivating the abilities of library professionals in preparation for the era of metaverse

- The NLK provides in-service training on emerging core abilities needed for librarians -

The details of this year s program can be fou

The National Library of Korea (Chief Executive Suh Hye Ran) announced its 2022 In-service Training Plan designed to help strengthen the capacities and expertise of librarians across the country. The plan consists of 107 courses that will be offered a total of 156 times. Topics include digital technology skills (CIBA, cloud, IoT, big data, and AI) as a core ability required for librarians in the metaverse era. In particular, courses on recent trends in libraries and no-contact library services are provided in order to help librarians understand and experience immersive technologies such as metaverse, augmented reality, and virtual reality.

There will also be customized programs for trainees tailored to their type of work and years of experience, such as a basic course for new librarians and a library leadership course.

• ▲ New librarians: Basic library work and mentoring
• ▲ Higher-level managers: Skills required in response to changing environments, problem-solving skills, and leadership skills
• ▲ Working-level librarians: Advanced work skills, including promotion of library activities and library space design

In order to promote online learning among librarians, the existing e-learning program will be increased to ten times per month from the eight times per month it was offered last year. The program capacity will also be increased from 200 to 300 participants. The e-learning program will consist of 56 courses and include new courses on library and digital literacy, library data and statistics, and special libraries and library branding.

The prolonged Covid-19 pandemic has changed the paradigm for training. Accordingly, the NLK will diversify its training methods. Considering the high demand for non-contact programs, some of the existing offline training will be moved to a virtual space, and mixed online/offline courses will be offered when possible. In order to increase participation, new teaching methods will be introduced, including design thinking, flipped learning, and gamification.

Design thinking is a process that approaches problems the way a designer would by understanding the needs of the user, identifying problems, and making prototype products. Flipped learning is a teaching method in which participants are given assignments and asked to study an online program before gathering for offline training. Gamification uses fun and interesting elements from gaming to encourage more active participation among trainees.

The 2022 in-service training program was created based on feedback received on last year’s program, results of a survey of libraries around the country, and expert advice. Trainees used to be selected based on a quota per institution but will now be chosen on a first-come-first-served basis.

As the only organization that provides professional librarian training in South Korea, the NLK offers over 100 training programs for librarians every year. The details of this year's program can be found on the program website (www.edu.nl.go.kr).

(Source)

https://www.nl.go.kr/NL/contents/N50603000000.do?schM=view&page=1&viewCount=9&id=41857&schBdcode=&schGroupCode=