1. Service Learning: Bringing the World into LIS Education Melanie Sellar Co-Executive Director, LWB

2. Today’s Goals Introduce the concept of service learning (SL) Connect SL to work of Librarians Without Borders (LWB) Present case studies of LWB-SL projects

3. Overview of Presentation Introduce Service Learning (SL) Introduce Librarians Without Borders (LWB) Connect work of LWB to SL SL case-study: LWB initiative in Costa Rica SL case-study: LWB initiative in Guatemala Preview 2011-12 Answer your questions!

4. Overview of Presentation Introduce Service Learning (SL) Introduce Librarians Without Borders (LWB) Connect work of LWB to SL SL case-study: LWB initiative in Costa Rica SL case-study: LWB initiative in Guatemala Preview 2011-12 Answer your questions!

5. What is Service Learning? It is a form of experiential education in which students engage in activities that address community needs together with structured opportunities intentionally designed to promote student learningand development.

6. History of Service Learning

7. Service Learning is Different From: Service- Learning CommunityService Field Education Volunteerism Internships Pictorial from Andrew Furco, “Service-Learning: A Balanced Approach to Experiential Education.” 1996.

8. At the Intersection: Service Learning

9. Why Care About Service Learning? Internationalize Campuses Respond to Workforce Needs Higher Education Priorities Access Funding Opportunities Enrich Pedagogy

10. Why Care About Service Learning? To what extent “does the program arrange library internships or other real experience in libraries? ” – it should be a major determining factor in selection of an LIS school. Berry, J. (1998). Choosing a Library School. Library Journal, 123(19), 36. Retrieved from EBSCOhost.

11. Overview of Presentation Introduce Service Learning (SL) Introduce Librarians Without Borders (LWB) Connect work of LWB to SL SL case-study: LWB initiative in Costa Rica SL case-study: LWB initiative in Guatemala Preview 2011-12 Answer your questions!

12. Where We Began

13. Our People

14. Who We’ve Become Librarians Without Borders is an non-profit organization that strives to narrow the information divide worldwide by supporting libraries in developing regions. We collaborate with partner communities to identify their needs and then mobilize our volunteers — the core being student librarians — for in-the-field development.

15. Overview of Presentation Introduce Service Learning (SL) Introduce Librarians Without Borders (LWB) Connect work of LWB to SL SL case-study: LWB initiative in Costa Rica SL case-study: LWB initiative in Guatemala Preview 2011-12 Answer your questions!

16. At the Intersection: Service Learning

17. Attributes of Effective Service Learning Ownership of projects Via autonomy, but not independence Sense of mastery and fulfillment Via accomplishments of clear goals and feedback from clients Sense of connectedness With colleagues, instructors, community Meaningful experience Prolonged involvement, intensity of effort Reflection and assessment Frequent, structured, and guided

18. Overview of Presentation Introduce Service Learning (SL) Introduce Librarians Without Borders (LWB) Connect work of LWB to SL SL case-study: LWB initiative in Costa Rica SL case-study: LWB initiative in Guatemala Preview 2011-12 Answer your questions!

19. LWB in Costa Rica Project Overview September 2009-April 2010 Student-led project Goal: to build school library in El Humo, Costa Rica Fundraise for books & building supplies Develop start-up collection Service-learning trip to construct & set-up library Partner with local organization, VIDA

20. Costa Rica

21. Collection Development

22. Collection Development

23. CollectionDevelopment Selection Tools & Resources: IBBY (International Board on Books for Young People) Fundalectura (Columbia) Banco del Libro (Venezuela) Barahona Center for the Study of Books in Spanish for Children & Adolescents School Library Journal reviews Críticas (English-lang review source for Spanish-lang books) CR Ministry of Education curriculum & required reading

24. Collection Development

25. On the Ground Getting to know the El Humo school and community National Library of Costa Rica Physical construction of library building Setting up the library Created a cataloguing method, processed books, created a basic card catalogue, and wrote a policy/handbook for the school staff

26. Escuela

27. Los chiquitos

28. ¿HablaEspañol?

29. ¡Bailamos!

30. ¡Bailamos!

31. National Library of Costa Rica

32. National Library of Costa Rica

33. Digging post holes

34. Moving very heavy concrete beams

35. Concrete wall slabs

36. Never short on spectators

37. Walls are up!

38. Working on the floor

39. Setting up the library Basic system based on subject area and author surname – had to be simple enough for staff and volunteers to maintain Simple card catalogue Policy manual & procedures

40. Setting up the library

41. Setting up the library

42. Finished space

43. Finished space

44. Presenting the library to the school

45. Impact of the Library El Humo students learned about libraries and how they work in class Project inspired the El Humo community to fundraise to purchase computers for the library & additional resources Practicum student from LIS program at University of Costa Rica from neighbouring village

46. One Year Later Update from school principal, Don Jorge Continue to benefit from presence of LIS practicum student Computer now available for student use in library Source of pride for the school and greater El Humo community Believe that it is inspiring student success and encouraging literacy

47. What did students learn? Practical application of “hard” professional skills Information Resources Reference & User services Community Development Development of essential “soft” skills Creativity Leadership Project Management Time Management Communication Flexibility

48. Overview of Presentation Introduce Service Learning (SL) Introduce Librarians Without Borders (LWB) Connect work of LWB to SL SL case-study: LWB initiative in Costa Rica SL case-study: LWB initiative in Guatemala Preview 2011-12 Answer your questions!

49. LWB in Guatemala The Asturias Library Project

50. Project Overview Partner institution: Miguel Angel Asturias Academy Location: Quetzaltenango, Guatemala Started in 2009 by McGill student committee Asturias identified a need for library experts Ongoing fund raising Service-learning trips in spring 2010 and 2011 Support continuing into 2012 Project Goal Collaborate with the Asturias Academy to implement a library at the school.

51. The Miguel Angel Asturias Academy

52. Introduction to the Asturias Academy Private, non-profit Pre K-12 school Founded: 1994 Serves students from varying background: Indigenous, non-indigenous, poor, working class and middle class. Implements teachings of Paulo Friere Mission Get ALL Guatemalan children in school Break cycles of poverty through education

53. The Asturias Library When LWB arrived in Guatemala in 2010, the Asturias Library was in a pre-construction phase. Since then, the Asturias Library has gone from being an idea to a functional library space. The library is currently open during school hours, and is used on a daily basis by Asturias students and staff.

54. Partnership Benefits for LWB students

55. Asturias Library Project – Year One Begin and develop relationship with Asturias Initial work in Guatemala – 2010 Trip Manual of recommendations Deliver books and school supplies Reflection Articles Presentations

56. Asturias Library Project - Year One On the ground in Guatemala (April – May 2010): Cultural Activities GOAL: Better get to know the community One week of service work at the school Developed handbook of recommendations including cataloguing, layout, shelving, programming, etc. Met the students: classroom visits, recess, reading club Built relationships with Asturias staff and volunteers

57. Library Space PlanningConceptual Drawings – April 2010

58. January 2011 First story time at Asturias Library, January 2011

59. Asturias Library Project – Year One Participants

60. Asturias Library Project – Year Two Participants

61. Asturias Library Project – Year Two Bigger scope Organization wide: Fundraising push Collection development projects 2nd service learning trip to Guatemala 27 participants Members from executive and 4 library schools Cultural activities Week of work at the school

63. Cultural Activities

64. Activities at Asturias Developed & based on discussions with library staff Day 1: brainstorm, prioritize, pitch (short & long term) Day 1: division into project teams; set goals: Organization Team Information Literacy Team K‘iche‘ Audio Books Team Knowledge Management Team Blogging/Photography Team Day 2-5: work, work, work towards goals! Day 6 + (in Canada): document and compile materials

67. Library Organization

68. Information Literacy Guides for teachers on how to use the library Classification Floor plans How to implement library into curriculum Resource lists Book talk best practices Information literacy games

69. Knowledge Management Wiki High turnover rate among Asturias volunteers Goals Capture best practices Document and organize collective knowledge Share knowledge with future volunteers Survey Evaluate trip for future improvement

70. K’iche’ Audio Book Project K’iche’ is the predominant Indigenous language in Xela Audio to support Asturias K’iche’ language curriculum Work with students to create audio material for the collection Build library holdings Give students a sense of ownership over the collection

71. Blogging/Photography Team http://lwb-online.org/?cat=27

72. We can never repay you, but know that you are cultivating a love of reading in Guatemalan students. We hope you take with you in your hearts a sense that you have done something good, not only for our students, but for the whole of Guatemala, you have made a difference. Jorge Chojolán, Founder and Director

73. Opportunities for Reflection

74. Reflection Structured opportunities for reflection can enable learners to examine and form their beliefs, values, opinions, assumptions, judgments and practices related to an action or experience, gain a deeper understanding of them and construct their own meaning and significance for future actions. Moon, J. Reflection in Learning and Professional Development . London : Kogan Page Limited, Stylus Publishing Inc, 1999.

75. What’s next? Continue to create opportunities for reflection Continued collaboration with Asturias As their priorities change, so will our relationship with them: Another service trip Continued fundraising Expansion of the library Into the community Into new school sites

76. Student learning outcomes

77. Relevant course work 2010 Trip: “What aspects of your MLIS program were applicable to the Asturias Library Initiative?”

78. Relevant Skills 2010 Trip: “What skills or knowledge did you feel were most important during the Asturias Library Project?”

79. Summary of Benefits of LIS Students Connects curriculum to real-world, complex experiences, which: Engages them in problem-solving, critical thinking Promotes deeper learning: no “right” answers Develops interpersonal skills and teamwork approach Develops leadership and management skills Provides immersion into societal issues relating to LIS, which: Socializes them into values of the profession Sensitizes them to the realities, experiences, and needs of marginalized people Develops civic responsibility through community involvement

80. Overview of Presentation Introduce Service Learning (SL) Introduce Librarians Without Borders (LWB) Connect work of LWB to SL SL case-study: LWB initiative in Costa Rica SL case-study: LWB initiative in Guatemala Preview 2011-12 Answer your questions!

81. Preview 2011-12 How can we formally integrate LWB with the LIS curriculum?

82. Libraries Across Africa

83. Save the Dates! Oct 26: Special Event with Stephen Abrams (Toronto) Fall 2011: Apply for Asturias Guatemala Trip Fall 2011: Apply for LAA participation Nov/Dec: 6th Annual General Meeting (online) May-June: LWB Social/Retreat at CLA Annual (Ottawa)

84. Overview of Presentation Introduce Service Learning (SL) Introduce Librarians Without Borders (LWB) Connect work of LWB to SL SL case-study: LWB initiative in Costa Rica SL case-study: LWB initiative in Guatemala Answer your questions!

86. www.libarianswithoutborders.org twitter: lwb_online Thank You!