This month, Drexel’s College of Computing & Informatics (CCI) is entering the second year of its three-year initiative in collaboration with the Free Library of Philadelphia, the Drexel Lindy Center for Civic Engagement, and the Dornsife Center for Neighborhood Partnerships to co-develop a community-based learning model for LIS education.
As a key part of the project, CCI is launching a three-course Graduate Certificate in Community-Based Librarianship (CBL) in Fall Quarter 2020. This professional development program provides an in-depth overview of the fundamentals of library and community collaboration, including courses in community-based data analytics and design thinking for digital community service. The CBL certificate culminates in a capstone project that enables students to apply their conceptual knowledge to real-world, community-based information projects in libraries and other information organizations.
The program, offered both online and on campus, is ideal for paraprofessionals and library assistants who are considering enrolling in a Master’s in Library and Information Science (LIS) program.
“With the support of IMLS, we are building a new bridge for paraprofessionals to connect to their future LIS careers and a new bridge to community competencies for all LIS students,” said Xia Lin, PhD, project director and head of CCI’s Department of Information Science.
The program may serve as an entry point to the Master of Science in Information, which includes majors in Library and Information Science (ALA-accredited), Digital Content Management, and Human-Computer Interaction & User Experience (UX).
The CBL Certificate is supported in part by a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) (#RE-17-19-0006-19). Twelve Community Catalyst Fellows will receive full tuition scholarships for the certificate. Tuition discounts up to 25% may also be available (students must apply for discounts before the academic term begins). CCI is offering a College-level fellowship to cover tuition for one course each for 10 or more additional students accepted for the fall 2020 term.
For more information, please visit CCI’s Graduate Certificate in Community-based Librarianship webpage.