Continuing professional development of Malaysian academic librarians

Malaysia is experiencing a period of rapid growth and, thus, Malaysian academic libraries are under increasing pressure to adopt the latest information and communication technology and management techniques to improve their services. In order to cope with these pressures, libraries need to conduct training needs assessments (TNA) and upgrade the knowledge, skills, and attitudes of their staff. A training needs assessment exercise requires a lot of time and effort. It was felt, as a first step, that at least a study of the perceptions of LIS professionals regarding their continuing professional development (CPD) requirements should be undertaken. This article presents the results of a survey of academic librarians' perceptions of their continuing professional development needs in Malaysia. The study concentrates on the continuing professional development environment in academic libraries, constraints affecting participation, suitable period and duration for continuing professional development activities, and potential competencies for developing continuing professional development programmes in the areas of professional, information and communication technology, management, and research skills. Recommendations are made to further develop the continuing professional development programmes.