All aboard! Stepping on board with a Community of Practice (COP) for health library technicians

Abstract

My journey into communities of practice (CoP) began with like-minded library technician (LT) colleagues in the health care sector in late 2020, as my hometown of Melbourne emerged from an isolating four-month lockdown due to COVID-19.

Initiating the CoP created connectedness at a much-needed time. It provided direct opportunities to learn from peers, a group with which to exchange ideas to help respond to common challenges, and the opportunity to communicate with colleagues working in the same professional role in different libraries. It was both broadening and enlightening for the LTs who participated, with flow on benefits for our teams and the wider library community.