By Gina de Alwis Jayasuriya*
(25 Apr 2022) Locating LIS schools worldwide is often challenging as there are no global databases currently in existence. The IFLA global database and map of LISE schools and programs is an international collaborative project launched by the IFLA Building Strong Library and Information Science Education (IFLA-BSLISE) Working Group to address this gap. The global interactive database will be built using data gathered through an online questionnaire to be completed by LIS schools.
screenshot of the map
Information that will be captured in the database include degrees available, certifications offered, languages available within the program, registration for professional practice, and contact details.
The information provided could assist:
- Members of the LIS community establish professional relationships for potential collaborations;
- Researchers in other countries access more up-to-date data about LIS schools and programs as well as professional requirements;
- Raise public awareness about the education and training of LIS professionals;
- Inform IFLA planning for future advocacy initiatives.
The IFLA LIS Education in Developing Countries Special Interest Group has identified contributing to the Map project as the key project for 2022. The objective is to help strengthen areas on the map that are underrepresented.
Is your school on this map? If it is not on the map, please support the project by completing this form so your school is included.
You are welcome to reach out to the following LISEDC SIG members for further information or clarification:
China: Professor Bella Jing Zhang, PHD. School of Information Management, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Province, Guangzhou, China). email: [email protected]
South Asia: Gina de Alwis, Independent Researcher, Singapore. email: [email protected]
South East Asia: Diljit Singh, Retired Professor, University of Malaya, Malaysia. email: [email protected]
For more information on the project view the recording of the webinar hosted by BLISE: Mapping LIS Education Programs: Professional, Educational and Research Perspectives, 9th February 2021
*Dr. Gina de Alwis Jayasuriya is an Independent Researcher with over four decades of experience in academic and special libraries in Singapore and Sri Lanka. She is very passionate about promoting continuing professional development (CPD) and lifelong learning to library professionals and advocates upskilling and reskilling to stay relevant. In 2019, she launched a research project on “Continuing Professional Development (CPD) for LIS Professionals in selected Asian Countries” which is ongoing. She holds a PhD in Information Studies from the Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. She has presented at numerous conferences and has several publications to her credit. She resides in Singapore. Email: [email protected].
