CALL FOR CHAPTER PROPOSALS: Changing the Scope of Library Instruction in the Digital Age
Posted April 8, 2016
Proposal Submission Deadline: April 30, 2016
Changing the Scope of Library Instruction in the Digital Age
edited by
Dr. Swati Bhattacharyya (Librarian, Indian Institute of Management Calcutta) and Dr. K. Rama Patnaik (Librarian, Indian Institute of Management Bangalore)
Introduction
Library instruction originates from Readers’ Advisory Service/User Education and Outreach Service. Earlier, this service aimed to educate users on identifying authentic information quickly and efficiently. However, the scope of this service has enhanced considerably in recent years. Besides, library instruction service is increasingly viewed as part of classroom teaching and thus, teaching is an important component.
Current digital age is impacting the contents and delivery of instructional service in many ways. Instructional sessions not only describe various features of a resource, but these sessions also bring issues like the ethical use of information, copyright, value of open knowledge. Librarians are required to help users to learn the use of citation management tools, data visualization tools etc. The new paradigm of education – blended and online education – requires that learners are supported by library instructions in virtual mode. The library instruction in virtual mode is also useful for those who want to learn at their pace. The designing of learning objects for an instructional session – either in face-to-face mode or virtual mode – requires the understanding of Instructional Design and other related areas. Increasingly, library instructions are integrated into classroom activities, and it implies that such programs should be based on contemporary teaching philosophies.
Given these changes, the knowledge of the Instructional Librarian on the contents of resources is required to be supplemented by the knowledge of how to create effective instructions. An instructional session has a significant teaching component. The familiarity/knowledge of learning models, teaching philosophy, instructional design, the use of technology, and communication contribute to developing effective library instructions. That the new/additional knowledge is required in this regard is evident from the job description of many positions for Instructional/Reference Librarians.
Objective of the Book
The book aims to report cases of library instructions developed in different contexts. The book aims to capture the large canvass of theoretical frames used from teaching, learning, instructional design, technology use, and communication in this regard. Practical experience with regards to challenges faced in designing instructions for wide range of users, in terms of age group, educational level, disciplines will also be reported. Library instruction is an area which is not taught but learnt on job. The goal of the book is to provide a platform for facilitating that learning from others’ experience and viewpoints.
Target Audience
The target audience of this book will be librarians who are engaged fully or partly with the design of library instructions and imparting those instructions to learners. Specialists in the areas of instructional design, communication in virtual media – they can examine the cases and contribute to this area further. This book will also be helpful for the entry level librarians who aim to pursue a career of Instructional Librarian.
Recommended topics include, but are not limited to, the following:
The chapters will be divided, broadly, in four areas:
(A) Theoretical foundation/framework of designing library instructions
Papers in this area will devote to the theoretical frameworks from learning models, teaching principles, instructional design, technology use, communication, library and information science and other areas, as applicable, for designing library instructions.
(B) Cases of library instructions
Papers in this area will report actual cases of designing and offering library instructions. The cases may target specific age group (child/adult), social groups (international students/migrants/learners from underprivileged groups), learners of different academic programs (primary education/secondary education, tertiary education), disciplines specific issues (humanities, social science, physical science and others).
(C) Managing library instruction sessions
Papers that will address issues related to managing library instructions sessions will be accommodated here. The issues may be challenges in integrating instruction sessions in classroom activities, inter-personal relationship.
(D) Instructional Librarian – professional issues
A wonderful contribution from established and senior Instructional Librarians will be how they prepared themselves to meet the challenges of this task, in the evolving library scenario, particularly in the technology enriched education system for last couple of years. Besides, reflections on how the LIS education can accommodate this area in view of the new landscape emerging from digital age, both from practitioners and academics, will be an important value addition to the book.
Submission Procedure
Potential contributors are invited to submit a 2-3 page chapter proposal (approximately 2000 words) to the Editor by April 30, 2016 detailing the background, motivations and structure of the proposed chapter. The proposals can be submitted to http://www.igi-global.com/
Important Dates
April 30, 2016: Proposal Submission Deadline
May 20, 2016: Notification of Acceptance
July 30, 2016: Full Chapter Submission
September 30, 2016: Review Results Returned
October 30, 2016: Revised Chapter Submission from Chapter Authors
November 30, 2016: Final Acceptance Notification
Publisher
This book is scheduled to be published by IGI Global (formerly Idea Group Inc.), an international academic publisher of the “Information Science Reference” (formerly Idea Group Reference), “Medical Information Science Reference,” “Business Science Reference,” and “Engineering Science Reference” imprints. IGI Global specializes in publishing reference books, scholarly journals, and electronic databases featuring academic research on a variety of innovative topic areas including, but not limited to, education, social science, medicine and healthcare, business and management, information science and technology, engineering, public administration, library and information science, media and communication studies, and environmental science. For additional information regarding the publisher, please visit www.igi-global.com. This publication is anticipated to be released in 2017.
Inquiries may be sent to:
Dr. Swati Bhattacharyya
Librarian, Indian Institute of Management Calcutta
Email: [email protected]