DBIO Recommended Practices - Professional Development Committee

Function: The Committee is responsible for programs designed to update the professional knowledge of members of the Biomedical and Life Sciences Division.

Qualifications: In addition to the qualifications outlined in Appendix A – Qualifications, Expenses, Records and Reporting for Executive Board, Advisory Board/Council and Committees, Committee members must have a strong interest in the continuing education of special librarians. No member may serve on the Committee more than four years.

Appointment: Appointments are made by the Division Chair in consultation with the current Committee Chair, along with a minimum two other members to assist with the activities of the committee. The term of appointment is two years, renewable once.

1. Generate ideas for possible continuing education programs at the SLA Annual Conference.  These may include SLA CE courses, workshops or seminars, special sessions on topics of interest to biomedical/life sciences librarians, and field trips. DBIO membership can be surveyed for suggestions, and the Division Chair may also generate ideas for the committee to develop.
2. Submit program ideas to the Division Chair and Program Chair for next Annual Conference.
3. Final approval for programs, except CE courses, is the Division Chair's responsibility. Final approval for CE courses is the SLA Professional Development Committee's responsibility.
4. Submit CE approval form to the SLA Professional Committee by the deadline that is set each year (usually early August). The Chair of that committee will respond in writing with approval or denial of the CE courses.
5. After receiving program approval, plan events, including local arrangements, by the announced deadline (usually early October).
6. Fill out Conference program checklist for each event and submit to the Division Program Chair by the announced deadline. This form will be used to publicize DBIO events in the pre-conference program.
7. Inform the Manager, SLA Conference and Meetings, of detailed plans for programs. Consult with the Division Program Chair regarding which program arrangements are handled by the SLA Headquarters and which are handled by the DBIO Professional Development Committee. For example, the committee submits paperwork for conference registration of program speakers and CE instructors.
8. To review the Professional Development Committee section of the Recommended Practices in February and submit corrections, revisions, and so forth to the Director for inclusion in the next edition.
9. By deadline determined each year (typically January), the Committee Chair shall submit an estimated budget to the Treasurer.