Role of Professional Associations & Leadership

A professional association (also called a professional body, professional organization, or professional society) is usually a non-profit organization seeking to further a particular profession, the interests of individuals engaged in that profession, and the public interest.[1]

The roles of the professional associations have been variously defined: "A group of people in a learned occupation who are entrusted with maintaining control or oversight of the legitimate practice of the occupation;"[2] also a body acting "to safeguard the public interest;"[3] organizations which "represent the interest of the professional practitioners," and so "act to maintain their own privileged and powerful position as a controlling body."[3]

In Pakistan, PULISAA’s Annual Dinner is scheduled on 9^th April at Punjab University Lahore, Pakistan. Pakistan Library Association’s election schedule has also been announced.  I was thinking about the role of professional leadership/association. I extended the roles as follows:

• Create a Shared Vision
• Unite the professionals in one direction
• Map the Change
• Prepare the professionals to cope with the change and turn challenges into opportunities
• Enhance the skills and broaden the vision of professionals
• Create a sense of importance to belong your professional organization/association
• Safeguard the public interests
• Represent the interest of the professionals
• Act to maintain their own privileged and powerful position as a controlling body

References:

1. Professional association

2.   ^ Professional body at Analytic Quality Glossary

3. ^ ^{a b} Harvey, L. and Mason, S., 1995, The Role of Professional Bodies in Higher education Quality Monitoring. Birmingham: QHE.

Key Questions for the Library and Education Communities

2020 Visioning Process: Key Questions for the Library and Education Communities 

The Regents Advisory Council on Libraries (RAC) invited broad input from the library and education communities to inform development of a new statewide plan for library services. I think that the following questions adopt by RAC are equally important for the library associations/institutions/bodies in other parts of the world to think and seek answers:

1. What are the two most important roles of libraries today?  What will they be in the future?  How will libraries fulfill these future roles?
2. What are the greatest challenges libraries will face over the next 10 years?  What assets and resources do libraries have that can overcome these challenges?  What are the barriers that will prevent libraries from meeting these challenges?
3. How can library service be extended to those currently not using libraries?  How do we engage community members in connecting their needs to libraries?
4. What will be the most important roles of school libraries in the future?  What will increase the visibility and relevance of school libraries?
5. How can academic libraries be more integral to their own institution’s community? Is there a role for academic libraries beyond the campus?  If so, what is that role?
6. What can public libraries do to ensure their survival?  How can they better serve their communities?
7. What will be the most important roles of special and research libraries in the future?  What will increase the visibility and relevance of special and research libraries?
8. What are the greatest challenges facing New York State’s libraries systems over the next 10 years?  What are the assets and resources library systems will need to meet these challenges?
9. How can the State Library and the State Education Department help libraries position themselves to successfully meet the needs of all New Yorkers for library services in 2020 and beyond?
10. What will be the impact on libraries with the rapid growth of commercial information sources like streaming video, iTunes, and e-books?  How can libraries prosper in a Digital Age?