Browsing by Author "Albright, Kendra"

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    Forging Global Partnerships : Intercontinental Collaborative Initiatives between LIS Programs
    (IFLA General Conference and Council, Durban, South Africa, 2007) Cortez, Edwin-Michael; Britz, Johannes; Albright, Kendra; Kigongo-Bukenya, I. M. N.; Hernández, Nitza
    The paper reports on several collaborative initiatives between four international LIS programs—University of Tennessee (UT), School of Information Sciences (SIS), University of Puerto Rico, Graduate School of Information Science and Technologies,(GSIST), University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, School of Library and Information Studies (SOIS), and Makerere University, East Africa School of Library and Information Science (EASLIS). These collaborative ventures have resulted from one newly prorogated Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between UT and UPR and the renewal of an existing MOU between UT and Makerere University, with the addition of UW-Milwaukee. A brief history of the relationship between Makerere University and the University of Tennessee is presented with a focus on HIV/AIDS information research examining the role of information and information agencies in Uganda’s reduction of HIV/AIDS prevalence. The paper then defines and describes the elements of a Memorandum of Understanding outlining such aspects as mission, values and principles supporting the collaborations and the plans for action. Described in detail is the action plan between the University of Tennessee,(SIS) and the University of Puerto Rico,(GSIST) which led up to a symposium on intercultural leadership and a research project for building an intercultural leadership toolkit for library and information professionals. The purpose of the toolkit is to create a focused awareness of, and sensitivity to international and intercultural differences. The project addresses the need for librarians to serve diverse, intercultural communities in the US with a focus on the Latino population. The paper then shifts to the African continent and the potential for LIS collaborations
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    Libraries and AIDS in Sub-Saharan Africa : Realities of Culture and Curriculum
    (Proceedings of the American Society for Information Science and Technology, 2006) Albright, Kendra; Kigongo-Bukenya, I. M. N.
    The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) defines a library as “any organized collection of printed books and periodicals or of any other graphic or audio‐visual materials, and the services of a staff to provide and facilitate the use of such materials as are required to meet the informational, research, educational or recreational needs of its users” (1970). Libraries, by UNESCO definition, are few in SSA, although there are many relevant information related activities. Historically, library and information professionals (LIS) in SSA suffer from the perception that libraries are not necessary. They face obstacles including illiteracy, oral tradition, and a limited awareness of the need for libraries. Despite the perception that libraries are unnecessary in SSA, there are record numbers of professionals graduating from LIS programs and engaged in productive information‐related work. A particular example is the need for information in the fight against AIDS. Information must be organized, managed, and disseminated to help combat the spread of the disease, offering a particular challenge for libraries. This paper presents the preliminary findings of a literature review and survey of library and information professionals in Sub‐Saharan Africa who are involved with HIV/AIDS information dissemination. AIDS information activities are reported, identifying challenges for LIS professionals in Sub‐Saharan Africa and the opportunity for libraries is presented. Implications for LIS education are discussed. Through examination of current information activities related to AIDS, libraries can take an important and more active role while facilitating the identity and reputation of the profession. LIS curriculum could be adjusted to address the unique information needs of Sub‐Saharan societies.