Information and digital literacy in education via the digital path

One of the Enabling Competencies identified by the Special Libraries Association is lifelong learning. In busy jobs, taking time to stop and learn something new is not always the easiest thing to do. As I’ve worked to balance professional development with immediate needs, I started to incorporate the practice of being a reflective practitioner.

Skills for special librarians include focused writing in the age of technology and an ever-expanding information universe. With technology and devices competing for our attention, we must be disciplined as we focus on each task and activity, setting aside uninterrupted time to write.

Here are some ways to focus on writing. Whether it’s a writing project you’ve been putting off or perhaps a memo you need to write that recommends new software for your information center, be disciplined and schedule writing time without all that distracting technology and social media.

I’ve learned many things over my over 40 years as a librarian. That said, we don’t, as professionals, sufficiently embed learning at the core of our practice.