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Developing Information Literacy Skills and Programmes

The Department of Library and Information Studies at The University of the West Indies, Mona in collaboration with UNESCO’s Information for All Programme (IFAP) hosted a three day workshop recently. The workshop was aimed at introducing librarians from the Caribbean region to techniques for developing information literacy skills and programmes.

This workshop was a regional component of the UNESCO Information Literacy Training the Trainers (TTT) Workshop Series, which includes twelve geographic regions. The Workshop Series has as its overall goal “the training of a cadre of promising and qualified Information Literacy trainers in each of the major geographic regions so that they, in turn can educate other trainers in their respective regions and also begin educating directly the various ultimate beneficiary groups.” http://www.albertkb.nl/pageID_5366125.html

There were 25 participants namely: library professionals from Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago, and the USA. They represented public library networks, school libraries, teachers colleges, university libraries, special libraries and other institutions such as the Jamaican Ministry of Education and the Office of the Utility Regulation. The participants received training on topics including an introduction to the concepts of information literacy, conceptualizing information needs, evaluation of information sources and experiences in the development of information literacy programmes, and the development of action plans for introducing information literacy programmes in their organizations.

The training sessions were delivered by Professor Fay Durrant, and Dr. Cherrell Shelley Robinson of the Department of Library and Information Studies, UWI, Mona, Norma Amenu- Kpodo, Verna George and Karlene Robinson of the UWI, Mona Main Library, Mona along with Professor Forest Woody Horton, Project Leader, Mrs Barbie Keiser, Information Consultant and Vanessa Middleton of the American University, United Arab Emirates.

A key output of the Workshop was the action plans developed by working groups and individuals, to implement Information Literacy Programmes in their organizations. Participants identified the scope and content of their programmes in relation to the needs of the members of their organizations, the relevant standards and models, partnership with specialist organizations, expected outcomes, and evaluation of impact.

Prizes for the best presentations were awarded to, Jessica Lewis (Jamaica) and Gemma Lashley (Trinidad and Tobago) and Erica Davis and Cheryl Farquharson (Jamaica).

This workshop was a satellite activity of the XXXVIII Annual ACURIL Conference and is expected to result in the development of Information Literacy programmes in the participating institutions, and the establishment of Information Literacy Clubs.

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