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. Their names will be published on this site in a Practicing Professional Register.

Benefits of the Practicing Professional status

For individuals: 

Attaining Practicing Professional (PP) status demonstrates to current and prospective employers that you have actively engaged in a structured programme of continuous professional development and training, standards expected of today’s modern professionals.

For employers: 

The scheme provides a useful framework to encourage qualified library staff to engage in continuing training and professional development in a systematic and consistent manner. 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 librarians now have a common yardstick to determine the professional development effort undertaken by existing as well as potential employees. Also, 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.

Scheme Structure

I. Submission Documents

Current curriculum vitae (Linkedin or any other professional profiles are acceptable)

Submission

Four learning reflections focused on learning experiences and insights gained within a three-year window with reference to competencies in the LAS Competency Framework (250 to 800 words per reflection). A maximum of two from foundational and two from functional competencies.

II. Assessment

Submissions will be assessed for:

• Evidence of application of learning. 
• Ability to reflect critically on learning and application.
• Ability to recognize learning and service gaps, room for improvement, and offer ideas to bridge these gaps.

Assessors may request for more information from applicants during the assessment. 

III. Awards