ABSTRACT
This chapter provides an overview for librarians and information workers of approaches to personal and organizational development mediated by communities of practice. The concept of a community of practice is a new approach to talking about a very traditional activity within the library community. Membership of professional groups and networks provides access to information, help and support as well as informal mentoring and professional development. The incubation phase is an important phase in the life cycle of a learning community as the foundations of good practice are established and the conditions for healthy growth are embedded. Two aspects of evaluation of communities of practice are considered here. The first is the evaluation of the impact of individual membership of communities of practice. The second is the evaluation of facilitated communities of practice established to support a specific organizational need. Finally, a case study illustrates the value of membership of a multi-professional community of practice for individuals and their workplace.
