The ALISE 2016 Conference theme of “Radical Change: Inclusion and Innovation” celebrates the far reaching impact of Eliza T. Dresang’s work. The conference welcomes contributions that explore inclusive practices and innovative strategies in teaching and research, with special interest for Cultural Diversity, Digital Societies, Intellectual Freedom, Social Justice and International Resources.
Our logo for the conference is the metamorphosis of a caterpillar to a butterfly. This is a great symbol of radical change and transformation. Although the caterpillar and the butterfly exist in the same environment, each has its own perception and understanding of the world. As the caterpillar prepares for transformation, it must build the chrysalis, which acts as protection and change agent. When the radical change is completed, the butterfly emerges from the chrysalis into a new world, one of amazing potential and opportunity. The radical transformation and change allows the caterpillar to move beyond its small environment as a beautiful butterfly excited and ready to see and learn about its brave new world.
The paper will make a case for modeling courses on the immigration experience in LIS programs after the graduate courses in Social Work. An understanding of the immigration transition is essential for librarians who want to become true agents of change in immigrants’ life, beyond the initial period of resettlement. The paper will draw on the interviews with public librarians serving immigrant communities in Canada and the U.S. and the comparative analysis of the LIS and Social Work curricula. Given the converging nature of the two fields, this paper will present a model for the restructuring of other user-oriented LIS courses.
