Owing to the scope and pace of change, society has become increasingly knowledge-based so that higher learning and research now act as essential components of cultural, socio-economic and environmentally sustainable development of individuals, communities and nations. In this environment, it is essential that higher learning and knowledge creation involve effective partnerships among academic and non-academic learning institutions and communities to create and apply learning and knowledge with stakeholders that are managing and creating sustainable development initiatives. Growing concern regarding the importance of the contribution that higher education institutions make to society has aroused increasing debate about their relevance and credibility amid escalating social problems. An underlying premise of community engagement is the understanding that not all knowledge and expertise resides in the academy, and that both expertise and great learning opportunities in teaching and scholarship also reside in non-academic settings.
This conference will explore how LIS educators and researchers can develop curricula, programs, and research activities that enable active partnerships with communities and civil society to manage and create change. How can LIS programs increase opportunities for experiential, service oriented, and community engaged student learning? How can we develop further collaboration between LIS programs and their larger communities (local, regional/ state, national, global) for the mutually beneficial exchange of knowledge and resources in a context of partnership and reciprocity?
For 7 years the University Libraries and the Department of Library and Information Studies, at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, have collaborated on a learning partnership called Real Learning Connections. The concept of this study has involved the convergence of theory and practice; using a LIS graduate student as a conduit, projects have been undertaken that create learning objectives for not only the student, but the librarian(s) and LIS faculty member(s) involved for each individual project. The administrators of the Real Learning Connections have published* and presented on the different projects completed and what was learned from all parties involved. Each year new variables are added to the projects execution and the overall research goal is to create a sustainable internship model that fosters professional growth for students, organizational learning for practicing librarians and curriculum assessment and modification for the LIS department.
Assistant Dean for Administrative Services, NCLA President, UNC Greensboro
http://libres.uncg.edu/ir/uncg/clist.aspx?id=1946">Michael A. Crumpton, MLS, SHRM-SCP, is the Assistant Dean for Administrative Services at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Mike oversees administration of budgets, human resources and facilities; organizes and addresses... Read More →
Wednesday January 18, 2017 4:00pm - 5:30pm EST
Georgia 2/3
