Effective glocalization : the International Librarians Network (ILN) as a vitual community of practices (CoP) in Asia and the Pacific

Abstract

At present, library practicioners are facing a dilemma of keeping themselves kept up with the changes in the information landscape which necessitate and demand them to be better if not the best professionals in their fields of expertise. The activities and programs of library practicioners in line with continuing professional development has been highlighted as parallel preparations to the new roles they need to partake in this time of drastic changes happening real-time in this world over. A need to identify the value of online networks to the continuing professional development of librarians at present is deemed beneficial. An investigation crossing countries is considered to further display the possible boon of international collaboration to the competency building of library practitioners. This case study of International Librarians Network participants in the Asia-Pacific region finds international cooperation and networking beneficial to address current problems and future challenges hereby presenting international networking as a strategic practice for the continuing professional development and improvement of information professionals.