LIANZA - Professional Registration

Professional Registration

There are approximately 6000 people employed in library and information services in New Zealand. At the Annual General Meeting on 10 October 2006, LIANZA members endorsed by 70% the motion to introduce the Professional Registration Scheme, initially prepared by the LIANZA Taskforce on Professional Registration in August 2006.

On the 1 July 2007 the library and information profession in New Zealand took a major step forwards with the introduction of this comprehensive scheme for registration and continuing professional development.

Professional Registration provides:

• a goal for the ongoing professional development of individual practitioners
• a framework for employers to coach and develop their library and information professional staff
• an assurance for future employers, both in New Zealand and overseas, that a registered member meets professional standards of competency in the body of knowledge and ethics required for professional library and information work
• International benchmarking and recognition of professional library qualifications for New Zealanders wishing to work overseas.

The scheme will officially recognise library and information professionals who:

• have studied the body of library professional knowledge to a graduate level or higher
• can show that they understand and can apply that body of knowledge, and professional ethics, to a satisfactory standard
• adhere to the code of professional conduct
• continue to update their professional knowledge throughout their careers

To qualify for registration, library and information professionals must:

• show a theoretical understanding of the body of knowledge at graduate level or higher
• practically apply the body of knowledge in a library or information management environment.
• all those participating in the scheme must revalidate their registration every 3 years. This involves keeping a journal planner of continuing professional development as well as other activities that demonstrate they have kept their professional body of knowledge current. The journal planner is reviewed by a Employer or RLIANZA peer and then the Profession Registration Board before registration is renewed. The registration scheme began on 1 July 2007.

Registered individuals are entitles to use the letters RLIANZA (Registered Member of the library and information profession).

For further information please visit http://www.lianza.org.nz/registration