Professional Development Scheme 2.0 (PDS 2.0)

Launched in 2007, the Professional Development Scheme (PDS) recognizes the commitment and achievements of librarians in their continuous learning and professional growth.

Following a review in 2023, the enhanced PDS 2.0 now integrates the LAS Competency Framework and emphasizes reflective practice to better support holistic professional development.

The award of “Practicing Professional (PP)” is given to librarians (personal professional members) who have developed the relevant professional skills and competencies to excel in their work and reflect critically on their profession. 

Benefits of the Practicing Professional status

For individuals: 

Attaining Practicing Professional (PP) status demonstrates to current and prospective employers that you have developed the relevant professional skills and competencies to excel in your work. You have also proven that you actively engaged in continuous professional development and training.

Finally, unlike staff training schemes in an organization, whereby a person’s training record is kept in-house and is specific to the organization, the PP award is portable and can be used wherever the person works.

For employers: 

The scheme provides a useful framework to encourage information professionals to engage in continuing training and professional development. The scheme can dovetail with existing staff development schemes easily.

Together with the LAS Competency Framework, it provides an industry standard in terms of professional competencies and what it takes to build expertise.

Employers of information professionals now have a common yardstick to determine the professional development efforts undertaken by existing as well as potential employees.

I. Application

Call for application will take place in June of each year. Results will be announced in Jan of the following year.

Professional Learning Portfolio

Application to participate in the scheme starts with a professional learning portfolio prepared by the applicant.

The portfolio should have four learning reflections focused on learning experiences and insights gained within a three-year window with reference to competencies in the LAS Competency Framework. There should be at least one reflection from the foundational competencies and one from functional competencies.

Written reflections should be between 250 to 800 words. Other reflective formats such as video or audio are acceptable. Length should not be more than 5 minutes. Reflections can be publicly available content.

Current curriculum vitae

The applicant’s current CV should accompany the learning portfolio so that the learning reflections can be viewed in context. Professional profiles such as Linkedin are acceptable. 

Submissions will be handled via an online form. Details to follow.

II. Assessment

The portfolio will be assessed by a panel of experienced information professionals appointed by the Council. They will be guided by the following assessment criteria:

1. Evidence of genuine engagement: Does your reflection show that you truly “grappled” with the experience?”
2. Reflection depth: Does your reflection move beyond description to critical self-analysis?
3. Learning-to-Practice Linkage: Does the reflection draw a clear line between theory and their actual work?
4. Professional Growth Mindset: Does the reflection show a commitment to future evolution?

Applicants might be approached by panel members for more details or clarification during the assessment window.

The panel will submit their recommendations to the LAS Council for endorsement.

III. Recognition and Awards

All endorsed applicants will receive a recognition and the equivalent post-nominals. Recognition is valid for 3 years from date of award.