Many of us who teach in libraries feel underprepared. Some of us never had a course in library school on how to do it. Some of us are so old there wasn’t a course on the books when we got our degrees. (I’m not naming names.) But hey, we take life-long learning seriously. And luckily, apart from our professional literature and lists like ILI-L. the ACRL Instruction Section’s discussion list, blogs, and more, there are plenty of formal opportunities to keep learning.
One is WILU, a Canadian conference that provides an intimate and stimulating chance to live and breathe instruction with other practitioners. I recommend it highly. Registration opens today. Don’t wait too long – these conferences fill fast.
Both LOEX and LOEX of the West offer similiar annual conferences, but both are full for this year. But put next year on your calendar – their limited seats fill almost before you can sneeze.
Want something even more intense? There’s Immersion. No, it’s not a religious experience, though it may be life-changing. Simmons is hosting the annual event this year in Boston; congratulations to those accepted. The University of Houston and the University of Texas at Austin will be co-hosting a regional Immersion program at the University of Houston from July 14-19, 2006 – but don’t worry if you’re not a Texan, no visa required.
And wait, there’s more! The ACRL Institute for Information Literacy has just announced a new Immersion program: “The Intentional Teacher” – in which participants can examine their practice through autobriography, student persepctives, the colleague as a resource, and the research literature. Details will be available later this month.
Even veteran teachers have plenty to learn. After all, each year we get a whole new crop of students. And the information landscape keeps on changing. If you haven’t explored these opportunities yet, take a look.
Hi all,
I wrote an article for new librarians and library instruction. It is in Catholic Library World, the June 2004 issue. It’s short sweet and a quicker way of organizing classes.
Kathy