Educational Forum

Same journey, different destinations?

Similarity and diversity in library/information education

It is usual for formal education in library/information areas to be separated into courses in 'librarianship' and in 'information science' (though many different names are used for the two strands). This "traditional" distinction is challenged by a number of factors, most notably the increasing ubiquity of digital information, the rise of the I-school concept in the USA, and the influence of the Bologna process in Europe. This raises once again, but with a renewed emphasis, the question of whether it is appropriate to separate 'library education' and 'information education', and what the relations and interactions between the two should be.

The CoLIS workshop will consider a variety of questions around this theme, including, but not limited to:

• Where are we now, and where are we going? Current situation, trends, new developments.
• Do 'library education'; and 'information science education' have the same perspectives and purposes? If so, why are they often separated? If not, what are the consequences, for curriculum content and teaching methods?
• Is there a "core" of library/information science education? If so, what is in it?
• What are the relations between theory, research, professional practice and international perspectives in the curriculum? Are they different for 'library education' and for 'information science education'?
• Do the same considerations and constraints apply to continuing professional development (CPD) as to formal education?
• What are the overlaps with other disciplines and professions, and the role of domain knowledge? Are they different for 'library education' and 'information science education'?
• Should there be an "I-school" curriculum? What would it look like?

The workshop will take the form of a series of short presentations on these questions (with some material circulated to participants beforehand) followed by a discussion, with the aim of reaching - if not the ideal of an evidence-based consensus - then a clear understanding of positions on the issues. A report and summary of the workshop will be prepared by the organisers, and sent to participants within a month after the workshop.

The date of the workshop, and details for indicating an interest to participate and contribute, will be announced later. In the meantime, anyone requiring further information should contact the workshop organiser, David Bawden (db@soi.city.ac.uk), City University of London.

For other information regarding the conference, please see our contact page for relevant contact person.