Towards Networking and Collaboration for Library and

Information Science Education for Mindanao

Marianita D. DablioDepartment of Library and Information Science

Mindanao State UniversityMarawi City

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A Prelude

“ All the beads in the world won’t form a necklace unless you string them together”

Korean Proverb

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Some initial notes

“Glocal” Focus on value-added rather than just value Information is a necessary but not sufficient

condition. Interaction, learning and capability building The Power to connect

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Why Library and Information Science for Mindanao

Perspectives Mindanaoan context:

Responsibility Mindanao environment: risk, conflict, and

development Multicultural Librarianship

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Let us find some initial answers to the following questions?

What is networking? What are some features? What are its prerequisites? How are networks formed? What networks for LIS education have

existed? What implications will an LIS education

network for Mindanao hold?

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What is networking? Collaboration?

Networking: The art of linking groups of individuals or organizations that share a common interest or concern that will contribute to knowledge, experience and resources for joint learning and action or to achieve a common purpose

Collaboration: “ the process of joint decision-making among key stakeholders on a problem domain”

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A rose by another name

Consortium Link Alliance Initiative Partnership Cooperation

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What are some features of networks?

Formal or informalVisible or invisible Individual or institutionalConscious or unconsciousPersonal, professional , politicalLocal, regional, national, international

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Disregards some of the attributes of the more formal, bureaucratic features

Loosely structured communities of practice May have shared leadership or none at all Open lines of communications Spontaneity Freedom

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Why network?

Process Functions: Encouraging Mediating Following Standard setting Gatekeeping

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Tasks functions Initiating Information seeking Information giving Opinion giving Clarifying Elaborating Coordinating Orienting Testing Summarizing

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What are its prerequisites?

Complete trust and mutual respect among members

Equal sharing of responsibilities and workload

Pragmatic and realistic approach to implementation of activities

Strong emphasis on process, input/outputs and outcomes

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How are networks formed?

Needs Assessment Planning and organizing

Clear statement of purpose A clear structure not dominated by member A coordinating mechanism

Implementation Resource mobilization

Monitoring and evaluation

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What are the existing networks for Library and Information Science?

International Schools of Library and Information Science Network (SLISNET)

Association of Library and Information Science (ALISE)

Association of African Library Schools EUCLID EBLIDA

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SLISNET

Started as a Unesco initiative in 1995 Intended as a linkage of LIS programs and

professionals worldwide UP Institute of Library and Information

Science as a member

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ALISE (Association of Library and Information Science Education)

To promote excellence in teaching, research and service for library and information science education.

Journal of Library and Information Science Education

North America, Canada

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EUCLID

European-based with three levels of membership: full, affiliate, and corresponding

Facilitate exchanges among members Develop cooperation in curricula, research Arrange support from stronger to weaker

members

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LISNET-ECS

Eastern, Central and South African regions Promote standardization among programs

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ASIA and SEA

CONSAL ALIEP LISEA: LIS Education in Asia

Started in 2005 as a gateway to LIS programs Platform for knowledge and resource sharing Directory of LIS schools, programs and faculty

members in Asia Repository of Learning Objects and teaching

materials

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Web portal where instructors can consult different perspectives,

Alert for new developments Communities of practice Outlines, course, syllabi,

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LISEA Philippines

PATLS ORLIS

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An example from other groups

SEANAFE : Southeast Asian Network for Agroforestry Education

PAFERN

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How have library practitioners formed networks?

Address book of well connected and “like-minded” people

Meeting colleagues in conferences Participating in colloquia and roundtables Running for elective office Joining electronic discussion lists

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What implications will an LIS education network for Mindanao hold?

How do we assess our existing competencies? Networking abilities ICTs Partnering skills

What type of network do we want? Communities of practice, knowledge networks,

advocacy network, service delivery networks

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Ingredients: strong social capital, governance and management, joint learning

Cost-benefit Impact and sustainability Secretariat, a recognized leader and a clear

agenda Do we have a model?

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Membership Synergy

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A proposal

An association or a network Combination of both, e.g. AALLNET MATLIS: Mindanao Alliance of Educators of

Library and Information Science

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Moment of Truth!

WHAT DO YOU WANT?