Towards Networking and Collaboration for Library and Information Science Education for Mindanao

1. Towards Networking and Collaboration for Library and Information Science Education for Mindanao Marianita D. Dablio Department of Library and Information Science Mindanao State University Marawi City

2. A Prelude • “ All the beads in the world won’t form a necklace unless you string them together” • Korean Proverb MDAB networking

3. 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 MDAB networking

4. Why Library and Information Science for Mindanao • Perspectives • Mindanaoan context: • Responsibility • Mindanao environment: risk, conflict, and development • Multicultural Librarianship MDAB networking

5. 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? MDAB networking

6. 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” MDAB networking

7. A rose by another name • Consortium • Link • Alliance • Initiative • Partnership • Cooperation MDAB networking

8. What are some features of networks? • Formal or informal • Visible or invisible • Individual or institutional • Conscious or unconscious • Personal, professional , political • Local, regional, national, international MDAB networking

9. 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 MDAB networking

10. Why network? • Process Functions: • Encouraging • Mediating • Following • Standard setting • Gatekeeping MDAB networking

11. Tasks functions • Initiating • Information seeking • Information giving • Opinion giving • Clarifying • Elaborating • Coordinating • Orienting • Testing • Summarizing MDAB networking

12. 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 MDAB networking

13. 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 MDAB networking

14. 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 MDAB networking

15. 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 MDAB networking

16. 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 MDAB networking

17. 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 MDAB networking

18. LISNET-ECS • Eastern, Central and South African regions • Promote standardization among programs MDAB networking

19. 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 MDAB networking

20. Web portal where instructors can consult different perspectives, • Alert for new developments • Communities of practice • Outlines, course, syllabi, MDAB networking

21. LISEA • Philippines • PATLS • ORLIS MDAB networking

22. An example from other groups • SEANAFE : Southeast Asian Network for Agroforestry Education • PAFERN MDAB networking

23. 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 MDAB networking

24. 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 MDAB networking

25. 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? MDAB networking

26. Membership • Synergy MDAB networking

27. A proposal • An association or a network • Combination of both, e.g. AALLNET • MATLIS: Mindanao Alliance of Educators of Library and Information Science MDAB networking

28. Moment of Truth! • WHAT DO • YOU • WANT? MDAB networking