The LIS Educator: Nurturing for Strategic Learning Experiences

Abstract

Education adds value, no doubt. It imparts good practices and strategies for survival in a competitive world. Hence, LIS educators have roles to play in nurturing the connection between the classroom and the real world experiences of engaging the masses. Smart educators always structure programs that mix, mash and excite. Taking ownership of library and information services through development of curriculum is the first step of training and education. The authors have been in dialogue where colleagues stated that LIS is boring and unexciting. This affects teaching and training, thus, creating librarians that seem too reserved for comfort. This study highlighted the experiences of LIS educators in integrating strategies in library schools, outcome of the experiences, lessons learnt and implications of the study. It was a qualitative study from Madonna University, Nigeria and Ignatius Aguru University of Education, Rumuorlumeni, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. The instruments used were dialogues, focal group discussion, talk shows and presentation. The strategies were implemented from 2017 to 2019. Results showed that the LIS educators incorporated world book day, world literacy day, world language day, human rights anniversary, IFLA global vision, motivational and ICT trainings into the curriculum. It was discovered that streaming and initiating these activities stimulated interest in career charting as well as attracted more recognition and acknowledgement to LIS departments. The lessons learnt included craving from students and colleagues for more engaging programs, secret admiration from other departments and awareness creation for inclusive learning program. Indeed, updating the training and LIS education are very important in building radical career ready professionals. LIS is a serious business, thus, educators in this field have every need to keep the motor moving with stimulating dialogue and practices.