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Professional Development
Michael Bradford, Harvard University, Chair

COMMITTEE MEMBERS

• Michael Bradford, Harvard, Chair
• Karen Clarke, Pacific Rim Christian University
• Rebecca Givens, Covenant Theological Seminary
• Justin Lillard, Harding University
• Andy Lofthus, Western Seminary
• Warren Watson, Payne Theological Seminary
• Christine Wenderoth, Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago
• Patricia Yang, Gateway Seminary
• Gillian Harrison Cain, Staff Liaison

YEAR IN REVIEW

The Professional Development Committee (PDC) fosters the develop-
ment of librarians and related information professionals who serve 
theological and religious studies scholarship and study. By deter-
mining member needs, identifying expert resources, and utilizing 
a variety of methods and delivery mechanisms, we provide profes-
sional development opportunities to the membership that facilitate 
the exchange of ideas and support members at every point in their 
careers.

In October 2019, the PDC held its annual in-person fall meeting in 
Denver, Colorado. One of the major topics that was discussed was align-
ing our committee’s administrative calendar with that of the Association. 
We also brainstormed programming ideas, reviewed our committee’s 
charge, and planned for a spring membership needs survey.

In January and February 2020, the PDC conducted a member needs 
professional development survey. We began analyzing our survey data 
in March, just as COVID-19 was affecting libraries and library staffs 
across the country, so we decided to re-survey a few key questions to 
compare them with pre-COVID-19 responses. The key takeaway was 
that a majority of respondents (81%) identified webinars as their first 



Committee & Task Force Reports  11

choice of how to receive their professional development from Atla. You 
can read our full survey report, including analysis, on the Atla blog.

As to webinars, over the last few years, the PDC has worked with 
Member Programs to establish an infrastructure for developing and 
promoting webinar programs and utilizing technical platforms already 
in place with the Association. Other committees have taken advantage of 
these services in order to present their own programming. The majority 
of webinars are recorded and available for on-demand viewing after 
the program has been completed.

During FY2020, the PDC itself identified and recruited presenters 
for a handful of webinars that were all well attended, but one was by 
far a stand-out, since it was not only advertised to the Atla membership 
but also shared to at least one ALA listserv. This early-March webinar 
by Leslie Engelson and Christina Torbert, entitled “Telling Your Story: 
Articulating Your Value as a Technical Services Librarian,” maxed out 
Atla’s allotted attendance slots and we had folks who were waitlisted 
and unable to attend the live program. All attendees, including those 
on the waitlist, were given a link to the program recording afterwards. 
The success of this program demonstrates the significant interest in 
these topics, as well as the potential audience for Atla-curated content 
among a larger group.

The PDC also reviews applications and awards regional grants for 
programming by regional groups and institutions. During FY2020, the 
PDC did not receive any applications for these grants, despite extensive 
outreach efforts by the committee. Many groups hold their meetings 
in the spring and we can only surmise that, due to COVID-19, meetings 
either went virtual or were altogether cancelled, thus not necessitating 
grant support by the PDC.

As the Atla Annual in-person conference was re-imagined from 
an in-person event in Detroit, Michigan, to an online event, the PDC’s 
members played a role in the online conference by volunteering to be 
session hosts, where they introduced presenters, facilitated questions 
in the room chat, and made sure the sessions ended on time. 

This last year has been truly unprecedented. As we begin a new 
academic year, where the membership continues to work remotely, 
return to their libraries, or a blend of the two, the Professional Devel-
opment Committee will focus on fostering programming that will meet 
your professional development needs during these unique times.

http://www.atla.com/blog/key-findings-professional-development

