Description
Since its founding in 1928, the Library Association of Ireland has seen its sections and groups grow from 2 to 17 by 2025, thanks to the active encouragement of the Executive Board. These sections and groups provide committee members with opportunities to develop professional and leadership skills. However, over the past 15 years different groups have experienced a decline of active volunteers, leading to group dormancy. This presentation explores the motivation behind reviving the Munster Regional Section, and the various challenges and successes encountered. One significant challenge has been navigating ‘corporate amnesia’ where valuable knowledge and insights were lost over time. A previous attempt to revive Munster Regional Section between 2011-2019 did not document its efforts so contributing to a productivity shortfall for the current committee. Nevertheless, early successes including leaning on Western Regional Section’s expertise and experience to host a joint seminar in 2024 on ‘EDI in the Library’. Moreover, the presentation will explore the impact reviving this section has had for committee members and in the library environment in Munster. In addition, the presentation will outline future activities aimed at increasing group membership thereby reducing the odds this group may return to dormancy. It will also address how sections and groups may learn from each other drawing on the example of Genealogy and Local Studies Group. As such this presentation provides a work-in-progress model for sections and groups experiencing similar challenges.| Period | 11 Apr 2025 |
|---|---|
| Event title | LAI/CILIP Ireland Joint Conference: Shining Lights |
| Event type | Conference |
| Location | Cork, IrelandShow on map |
| Degree of Recognition | National |
Keywords
- professional association
- professional development
- LAI