Edited by Lindsay C. Sarin, Johnna Percell, Paul T. Jaeger, & John Carlo Bertot.
The last several years have been marked by a number of societal challenges and changes that include, but are not limited to, the evolving nature of our economy; the workforce skills needed to succeed in a shifting job market; advances in technology; the changing nature of information and the methods of accessing it; transformations in education and learning approaches; and rapid demographic shifts occurring in our communities. Libraries are not immune to these challenges, and there is much discussion regarding the future of libraries among library professionals, in the media, and by politicians. As we consider the future of libraries, we need to simultaneously focus on the future of librarians – and how our instructional programs in general and the Master of Library Science (MLS) degree (and its variants) programs – prepare them for their careers.
Taking inspiration from the University of Maryland’s iSchool and the Information Policy & Access Center’s (iPAC) Re-Envisioning the MLS initiative, this book seeks chapters on topics that include, but are not limited to:
- The extent to which the MLS/MLIS degree is necessary or not necessary;
- The changing nature of the communities that libraries serve and how LIS education has (or has not) addressed these changes;
- Librarian values;
- Qualities and qualifications necessary for effective LIS educators;
- Qualities and qualifications necessary for future librarians/LIS students;
- Aspects of the MLS/MLIS degree we need to maintain and/or those we need to let go;
- Career paths for LIS grads (e.g. pathways outside of libraries);
- The relevance of ALA accreditation and/or a discussion of the accreditation process; and
- The impact of iSchools on MLS/MLIS education.
The book welcomes chapters that include case studies, empirical studies, and best practices from around the world. Please direct questions and submissions to: advancesLISeducation@gmail.com
Important Dates:
- June 6, 2016: Submission of 750-1,000 word chapter proposal
- July 8, 2016: Notification of chapter acceptance to authors
- October 1, 2016: Draft chapter due
- November 1, 2016: Final chapters due
- Summer 2017: Estimated publication date
About the Editors
Lindsay C. Sarin is the Master of Library Science (MLS) Program Manager of the College of Information Studies at the University of Maryland, Reviews Editor of The Library Quarterly, and Editor of The Political Librarian.
Johnna Percell is the Communications Coordinator of the College of Information Studies at the University of Maryland and Associate Editor of The Political Librarian.
Paul T. Jaeger, Ph.D., J.D., is Professor, Diversity Officer, and Director of the Master of Library Science (MLS) program of the College of Information Studies and Co-Director of the Information Policy and Access Center at the University of Maryland.
John Carlo Bertot, Ph.D., is Professor and co-director of the Information Policy & Access Center (iPAC) in the College of Information Studies at the University of Maryland College Park.
