Networks

Thing 7: Real-life networks

I have been a chartered member of CILIP for more years than I care to to remember and for the last few years I have been asking myself the same questions - am I going to renew my susbscription this year? Is it actually worth the money? What do I get out out of it?
I have renewed and that has been due to the raised profile of CILIP in the media.
The network I do use use most is the SLN forum where school librarians share good practice, news and experiences via Yahoo groups. This network is a lifeline for us school librarians where we are often single-staffed without a wider professional network. In Leicestershire we are lucky to have a vibrant and effective SLS but this is not the case for many areas. The SLS arrange termly meetings to share good practice, developments and news. Previously they have arranged CPD but in recent years this has been reduced and we are looking at new ways of providing CPD. Libteachmeets seem to be becoming increasingly popular and we are looking at utilising this approach -is this informal system the way forward for networks?