Envisioning iBlackCaucus: An interactive, working session to strengthen MLIS student engagement
Sunday, June 26, 2022
1:00pm – 2:00pm
Location: Washington Convention Center, 146C
In its 51-year history, the Black Caucus of the American Library Association has rallied around racial and ethnic representation and inclusion in LIS. Through guided, collaborative activities, participants will reflect on their MLIS graduate school experiences and recommend methods for improving MLIS student engagement and empowerment. The IMLS-funded "Breaking Barriers" project is designed to create and launch iBlackCaucus, a completely virtual, MLIS-program independent student organization for Black/African American library school students. This is the final event in a series of dialogues and ideas workshops. BCALA invites ALA attendees to have a say in the iBlackCaucus student organization's purpose, governance, and activities. The session is open to anyone. BCALA members and MLIS students of color are especially encouraged to take part in this brainstorming session. Learn more at breakingbarriers.bcala.org.
Learning Objectives:
Participants will understand the challenges of student engagement and socialization within MLIS programs, particularly those that are offered through distance or online learning.
Participants will reflect on the strengths and limitations of their own MLIS educational experiences (if applicable) in order to create interventions.
Through collaborative, interactive activities, participants will brainstorm on methods for strengthening Black/African American MLIS student support.
