Cross Institutional Collaboration: HBCU's Join Together to Further Their Information Literacy Goals

Type of Presentation

Individual paper/presentation (20 minute presentation)

Target Audience

Higher Education

Presenter Information

Beth Martin, Johnson C. Smith University, NC
Andrea Hylton, Johnson C. Smith University, NC
Monika Rhue, Johnson C. Smith University, NC

Location

Room 211

Abstract

See presentation description.

Presentation Description

Thomas P. Mackey and Trudi E. Jacobson stated that “collaboration among faculty and librarians is essential for Information Literacy (IL) initiatives to be successful.” (College English, 2005). Johnson C. Smith University (JCSU) took this idea one step further by creating the Information Literacy Leadership Institute (ILLI) which provides cross-institutional collaboration among faculty and librarians. A grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation gave JCSU the ability to work with other Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) to create information literacy leaders. JCSU partnered with a number of HBCUÆs to discuss information literacy at their institutions. ILLI hosted two conferences û in 2007 and 2008 û with another scheduled for 2009. During these conferences ILLI institutions were able to discuss their needs by sharing their information literacy understanding and practices. During the conference the partners began to discuss and define information literacy as it pertained to their institution as well as ways to bring information literacy into the curriculum. The next phase of the project moves into assessment so the partners can understand where and how to move the curriculum forward. The grant also helped JCSU created an ILLI Buddy program which pairs an experienced information literacy professional with those who are new to the field. Through the buddy program collaboration the group creates a knowledge space for the mentor and the mentee. Cross institutional collaboration helps all involved navigate the changing information landscape.

Keywords

Information Literacy Leadership Institute (ILLI), Cross-institutional collaboration, Historically Black College and Universities (HBCU), Information literacy

Publication Type and Release Option

Presentation (Open Access)

Recommended Citation

Martin, Beth; Hylton, Andrea; and Rhue, Monika, "Cross Institutional Collaboration: HBCU's Join Together to Further Their Information Literacy Goals" (2009). Georgia International Conference on Information Literacy. 70.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/gaintlit/2009/2009/70