News from the School of Information Management, Dalhousie University
Upcoming Student-led Conference
The students of the School of Information Management (SIM) at Dalhousie University’s Faculty of Management will be hosting the third annual Information Without Borders conference on Monday 16 February 2009. This year’s conference will examine the influence of information technology on our lives. What benefits are to be gained by using new information technologies? What are the disadvantages? How do businesses, government, the health sector, the humanities, sciences, and social sciences engage with information technology changes and developments? Issues will be addressed by a combination of panel discussions and the keynote speakers Dr. B. T. Boadway, medical advisor and former Executive Director of Health Policy for the Ontario Medical Association and Mark Leggott, University Librarian at UPEI.
Information Management Public Lecture Series
The School of Information Management’s Information Management Public Lecture series welcomed three speakers during the fall term.
In September, Ilga Leja, 2008 Outstanding Alumni Award Recipient and retired Director of Library Service at the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design (now NSCAD University) presented her talk The Library as Place: Observations from the Field. Drawing on more than 30 years' experience as librarian in both special and academic libraries, Leja explored the enduring role and character of the library. According to Ilga, despite the impact technology has had on the delivery of services, the library continues to play a vital role in building community and in protecting our democratic freedoms. Calling upon her own work within government and art libraries, Ilga presented the evidence that libraries, although evolving, still maintain responsibilities within the social, cultural, and political spheres.
Sharron Smith, Ontario Librarian of the Year and Manager of the Kitchener Public Library Readers' Advisory Services, spoke in October about how she followed her passion to develop her perfect job through readers' advisory service for adult readers.
In November, Peter Webster, Systems Librarian for the Patrick Power Library at Saint Mary’s University, addressed some of the key issues raised in his recent book Managing Electronic Resources: Changing Roles for Libraries. He touched on how individuals are changing the library environment through the professional literature, and other means.
Professional Partnering Program
The CLA Student Chapter recently launched this year’s Professional Partnering Program. This year once again saw great interest in partnerships between MLIS students and professionals working in the field. Thirty-three partnerships were forged at this year’s Meet & Greet, held on November 18th in the Rowe Building.
