Continuing professional development in Cambodia: Perspectives of different stakeholders

Abstract

The objective of this study was to gather the views of training providers and library employees on the continuing professional development opportunities available in Cambodia and the associated barriers. In total, 26 semi-structured interviews were conducted – 14 with training providers and 12 with library employees. Four key barriers were identified: the lack of continuing professional development opportunities; the inability to meet real training needs; the challenges associated with attending programmes in other cities, such as travel, accommodation and study leave; and a lack of resource personnel to conduct continuing professional development programmes. Four areas of improvement are suggested: offering regular training programmes; conducting a training needs assessment study; organising a national-level meeting to discuss library staff development issues; and developing a library and information science ecosystem to support the continuing professional development framework. The findings of this study are expected to provide some background information for the development of a continuing professional development plan for the library and information science sector in Cambodia.