ProQuest Program to Boost Professional Development for Librarians

Ann Arbor, Mich. — Aug. 8

ProQuest, an information firm, is combining the best of its popular development programs for library schools to create a wide-ranging source that connects students and faculty with free resources designed to advance education and careers.

The new Graduate Education Program (GEP) captures programs from ProQuest and business units such as Dialog and includes access to products and services, teaching tools, training and development opportunities, along with awards and internships, all packed into a social network that enables users to connect with one another.

The ProQuest GEP is housed within a free social networking site called Discover More Corps. Once LIS faculty register for the GEP, they and their students can freely access the GEP's spectrum of resources, which includes:

• Free access to resources from ProQuest that aim to enable students to learn, explore and gain experience using databases and technology before they encounter them on the job. For library schools, the free access aims to save budget dollars while boosting the real-world experience of their programs.

• Free curriculum development resources that aim to help instructors update existing classes with current, fresh information or jump-start planning for new courses.

• Customized training and class presentations (live on site or through the Web and via recorded classes) from ProQuest's expert staff — many of whom hold MLIS degrees.

• ProQuest's Student Trainer Internship Program, which recruits select graduate LIS students for electronic resources training. This program aims to prepare students to train others at their schools, providing career experience through enhanced instruction skills, e-resource product knowledge and mentoring from ProQuest's professional team of trainers.

• Networking through the Discover More Corps website, which aims to enable users to connect to share best practices and advice.

Source: ProQuest