The Department of Library and Information Studies (DLIS) was established in 1971 and is the premier regional institution for educating information academics and professionals in the English-Speaking Caribbean. The DLIS is the only academic department with this mandate and contributes to the tradition of excellence and prestige that is The University of the West Indies, which is ranked in the top 1.5% of universities in the world by the Times Higher Education ranking. The Department offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in Information Studies, Librarianship, Archives and Records Management and Computers Science in addition to MPhil and PhD programmes in Information Studies. Participants in this symposium will get the opportunity to be part of a scholarly community and tradition that is comparable to the best in the world.
The Department continues to expand its programme offerings to meet the increasingly changing developments, innovations, and needs of the information landscape. It is cognizant that these changes not only signify the multiple ways in which Caribbean persons, organizations and nations create, use, organize and engage with information, but also dynamism required of information professionals in managing, preserving, and providing access to the variety of information formats and products. This symposium therefore invites participants to:
- Celebrate the contributions, challenges, and triumphs Libraries and librarians have made over the last 50 years in the Caribbean,
- Consider the multiple ways Caribbean people create, disseminate, preserve and provide access to their Information,
- Reflect on the impact technology, ICT, social media and the rising digital culture is having on the cultural and customary ways information is being created, used, published and preserved in the Caribbean,
- Envision the next frontier for Caribbean Information and Memory Organizations: State-Lead or Community Driven?
- Deliberate on the significance of information legislation on the creation, use, preservation and accessing Information, especially in the digital environment.
- Reimagine the Caribbean Information Professional: what are the unique qualities, competencies, knowledge bases required of a Caribbean Librarian, Archivist, Curator, Digital Specialist, Memory Worker?
- Dream new visions for a truly Caribbean-oriented, research-driven, technology-inclusive Caribbean “Library/Information School”.
- Information Entrepreneurship
- New roles, new practices, new competencies for the Caribbean Information Professional
- Information Research and Research Methods in the Caribbean
SUBMISSION OF ABSTRACTS
The abstract should be approximately 250 words and should include the following
Purpose
Methodology
Findings
Originality/value
Implications (may be theoretical, practical or social)
Keywords (5 – 8)
PREPARATION OF PAPERS
The papers presented at this symposium will be published in a special edition of the Caribbean Library Journal. The following guidelines should be used for the preparation of papers.
Research Paper – Outline
Title
Abstract
Introduction/Background
Literature Review
Methodology
Presentation and Discussion of Findings
Conclusions and Recommendations
References
Professional Papers/Non-Empirical Research Papers – Outline
Abstracts
Introduction
Literature Review
Research Technique used
The Experience/Event/Activity/Process/Concept
Discussion/Analysis/Interpretation/Critique/Reflection
Practical Significance/Theoretical or Social Implications
Conclusion and Recommendations
References
Papers should be between 5000 and 7000 words and should be prepared following the APA guidelines.
POSTER FORMAT
All posters should have the following headings:
Title
Introduction/background
Literature review
Methodology
Presentation and analysis of of findings
Conclusion and recommendations
References
All major headings should be in bold and flushed left (do not number headings).
All tables and figures should be numbered using Arabic numerals; each table and figure should be given a title.
PRESENTATION GUIDELINES
Presentation should be no more than 20 minutes with 5 minutes for questions and answers.
Presenters should be logged on 30 minutes prior to the start of the event
Video must be on with appropriate lighting and a working microphone
Ensure stable internet connectivity
Branded virtual background (DLIS 50th Anniversary)
Important Dates
Deadline for submission of abstract: Extended to February 15, 2022
Send abstract to: dlis@uwimona.edu.jm and copy ruth.bakergardner@uwimona.edu.jm
In the subject line of the email please use the heading “DLIS 50th Anniversary Symposium Abstract”
Notification of acceptance: March 15, 2022
Organising committee:
Programme Planning Committee: Dr. Ruth Baker-Gardner
For any enquiries regarding the programme, please contact: Dr. Ruth Baker-Gardner at ruth.bakergardner@uwimona.edu.jm
For all general enquiries, please contact: Dr. Paulette Stewart at paulette,stewart@uwimona.edu.jm
We look forward to seeing you at DLIS 50th Anniversary Symposium