Promoting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Library and Information Science through Community-Based Learning

2021 ◽  
pp. 529-540
Author(s):  
Alex H. Poole
Keyword(s):  
Information Science ◽  
Library And Information Science ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Community Based Learning ◽  
Equity And Inclusion

Intellectual freedom and alternative priorities in library and information science research: A longitudinal study

IFLA Journal ◽  
2022 ◽  
pp. 034003522110611
Author(s):  
Gabriel J Gardner
Keyword(s):  
Information Science ◽  
Freedom Of Expression ◽  
Science Research ◽  
Intellectual Freedom ◽  
Professional Activity ◽  
Library And Information Science ◽  
Science Literature ◽  
Relative Change ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Equity And Inclusion

This article presents a bibliometric analysis of the library and information science literature to trace the emphasis that intellectual freedom and neutrality have received relative to an index of alternative and possibly competing topics. Emphasis is captured longitudinally by recording the number of results for various search terms associated with intellectual freedom, neutrality, diversity, equity, and inclusion in Web of Science from 1993 through 2020 and Library, Information Science and Technology Abstracts from 1970 through 2020. The results show that the number of works mentioning intellectual freedom and neutrality has increased only slightly over the study period, in sharp contrast to many entries on the diversity, equity, and inclusion index. With research interests being partially indicative of personal beliefs and professional activity, the impact of this relative change in emphasis on professional practice is discussed. Public controversies regarding library neutrality, intellectual freedom, and freedom of expression in libraries are summarized.

EDITORIAL

2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 01
Author(s):  
Martha Suzana Cabral Nunes ◽  
Telma de Carvalho
Keyword(s):  
Information Science ◽  
Library And Information Science ◽  
International Forum

É com grande satisfação que apresentamos aos nossos leitores mais um número da CONCI – Convergências em Ciência da Informação. Neste novo fascículo trazemos os trabalhos apresentados no 2º Encontro Regional Norte-Nordeste de Educação em Ciência da Informação – 2º ERECIN N-NE, evento da Associação Brasileira de Educação em Ciência da Informação (ABECIN) que teve como tema “O desafio da inclusão na práxis pedagógica: saberes e fazeres em Ciência da Informação”. O 2º ERECIN N-NE ocorreu de 11 a 15 de junho de 2018 na Universidade Federal de Sergipe e congregou ainda o I International Forum on Library and Information Science e o XI SNAC – Seminário Nacional de Avaliação Curricular.

RESEARCH COLLABORATION AMONG LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SCIENCE SCHOOLS IN SOUTH AFRICA (1991–2012): AN INFORMETRICS STUDY

Mousaion ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
pp. 36-59 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jan R. Maluleka ◽  
Omwoyo B. Onyancha
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Information Science ◽  
Research Collaboration ◽  
Science And Technology ◽  
Library And Information Science ◽  
Limited Extent ◽  
Microsoft Excel ◽  
The Past ◽  
Software Packages ◽  
Collaborative Activities

This study sought to assess the extent of research collaboration in Library and Information Science (LIS) schools in South Africa between 1991 and 2012. Informetric research techniques were used to obtain relevant data for the study. The data was extracted from two EBSCO-hosted databases, namely, Library and Information Science Source (LISS) and Library, Information Science and Technology Abstracts (LISTA). The search was limited to scholarly peer reviewed articles published between 1991 and 2012. The data was analysed using Microsoft Excel ©2010 and UCINET for Windows ©2002 software packages. The findings revealed that research collaboration in LIS schools in South Africa has increased over the past two decades and mainly occurred between colleagues from the same department and institution; there were also collaborative activities at other levels, such as inter-institutional and inter-country, although to a limited extent; differences were noticeable when ranking authors according to different computations of their collaborative contributions; and educator-practitioner collaboration was rare. Several conclusions and recommendations based on the findings are offered in the article.

The Use of Principles of Good Assessment in Recognition of Prior Learning Practice in Library and Information Science in South Africa

Mousaion ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ike Khazamula Hlongwane
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Information Science ◽  
Good Practice ◽  
Survey Method ◽  
Library And Information Science ◽  
Prior Learning ◽  
Good Assessment ◽  
Recognition Of Prior Learning ◽  
Appeals Process ◽  
South African Higher Education

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) practice offers sound benefits to library and information science (LIS) schools. Despite these envisaged benefits, very little is known about RPL practice in LIS schools in South Africa. This study sought to establish whether principles of good assessment were being followed in the LIS schools to ensure the integrity of the RPL outcomes. A combination of a questionnaire and document analysis were used to collect data from the ten LIS schools in the South African higher education and training landscape. The questionnaire was used to collect quantitative data through a survey method. In addition, the researcher employed content analysis to collect qualitative data from institutional RPL policy documents. The findings indicate that RPL assessment processes across LIS schools in South Africa were largely subjected to principles of good practice. The study found that in accordance with the SAQA RPL policy the purpose of assessment was clarified to the candidate upfront, the quality of support to be provided to the candidate in preparing for the assessment was established, an appeals process was made known to the candidate, and the choice of assessment methods was fit for purpose to ensure credible assessment outcomes. It is therefore recommended that other disciplines or departments use LIS schools’ experiences as a benchmark to improve their own RPL endeavours.

Perceptions on Job Requirements of LIS Graduates in Public Libraries: A Reflection on Public Libraries in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Mousaion ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 36 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mpilo Siphamandla Mthembu ◽  
Dennis Ngong Ocholla
Keyword(s):  
Work Experience ◽  
Computer Literacy ◽  
Industrial Revolution ◽  
Information Science ◽  
Public Libraries ◽  
Knowledge Society ◽  
Professional Services ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Library And Information Science ◽  
Structured Interviews

Public libraries play a crucial role in the information and knowledge society. Their access and services in the fourth industrial revolution require review as well as the knowledge of the competency requirements for Library and Information Science (LIS) graduates to offer professional services. This paper presents the competencies LIS graduates require for work. It also seeks to examine the challenges they encounter in public libraries. The study is driven by the notion that a skills gap and a lack of training for LIS professionals are still daunting challenges in most public libraries. The post-positivism paradigm was employed through the triangulation of both qualitative and quantitative methodologies in data collection and analysis. Content analysis and a survey were employed as research methods. The study scanned job advertisements in four newspapers spanning a three-year period (from January 2015 to December 2017). Semi-structured interviews were conducted with assistant directors and structured questionnaires were administered to LIS graduates. Grade 12, one to three years of work experience, computer literacy and communication skills are the most required competencies to work at public libraries. There seems to be no balance between theory and practice offered in most LIS schools, which suggests the need for curricula revision. Employed LIS graduates are facing several challenges, which include lack of practical exposure or knowledge, lack of qualification recognition and individual promotions, and lack of ICT skills and knowledge.

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