Librarian instruction-delivery modality preferences for professional continuing education.
OBJECTIVE
Attending professional continuing education (CE) is an important component of librarianship. This research study identified librarians' preferences in delivery modalities of instruction for professional CE. The study also identified influential factors associated with attending CE classes.


METHODS
Five instruction-delivery modalities and six influential factors were identified for inclusion in an online survey. The survey completed by members of the American Library Association (ALA), Special Libraries Association (SLA), and Medical Library Association (MLA) provided the data for analysis of librarian preferences and influential factors.


RESULTS
The majority of respondents were MLA members, followed by ALA and SLA members. Librarians from all three library associations preferred the face-to-face instructional modality. The most influential factor associated with the decision to attend a professional CE class was cost.


CONCLUSIONS
All five instruction-delivery modalities present useful structures for imparting professional CE. As librarians' experience with different modalities increases and as technology improves, preferences in instruction delivery may shift. But at present, face-to-face remains the most preferred modality. Based on the results of this study, cost was the most influential factor associated with attending a CE class. This may change as additional influential factors are identified and analyzed in future studies.
Lynn
Valerie A
VA
The George T. Harrell Health Sciences Library, Penn State Hershey, College of Medicine, H127, 500 University Drive P.O. Box 850, Hershey, PA 17033-0850, USA. vlynn@hmc.psu.edu
Bose
Arpita
A
Boehmer
Susan J
SJ
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction; D003479:Curriculum; D003625:Data Collection; D004496:Education, Continuing / Q000379:methods*; D004522:Educational Status; D018961:Educational Technology; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D016245:Librarians; D007993:Libraries, Medical; D007996:Library Associations; D007998:Library Science / Q000193:education*; D008875:Middle Aged; D024382:Professional Role; D013192:Staff Development; D013663:Teaching / Q000379:methods*; D055815:Young Adult