Three Legs of the Stool: Service Learning Projects, Community and Library
Location
Benson Center, Williman Room
Start Date
11-8-2014 10:15 AM
End Date
11-8-2014 11:00 AM
Description
Illinois Wesleyan University’s Action Research Center is a rich program that launches many different service learning programs in the Bloomington-Normal community. Information literacy skills, as well as knowledge about research and trade publications that frequently exist outside the normal, are not always obvious in action-oriented projects. The IWU library has seized on opportunities to integrate library research and critical thinking skills into service learning projects. Some are obvious - working with faculty and students in senior seminar classes and assisting with research papers and presentations - while others are more subtle. The latter includes using our institutional repository to house service learning projects and publish excellent research papers and presentations; using the UL’s role as a member of the local city council to facilitate access to government staff and services and teach skills in searching municipal codes and the many local government trade publications; the use of interns for government and organizational projects to build on our institutional commitment to community service; and the ARC Director’s grant-writing course. Using 3 service learning projects as case studies, the presenters will discuss how these various approaches are building a foundation for library engagement with faculty and students involved in the Action Research Center.
Short bio of the presenter(s)
Deborah Halperin is the Coordinator of the Action Research Center. She has over 20 years of experience with not-for-profit organizations, including work with the YWCA, Planned Parenthood, the National Runaway Switchboard, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, and the American Red Cross. Deborah brings a wealth of experience in reimagining and reengineering small and large workforces, improving program design and conducting research. Deborah has also worked as a grant writer, a marketing manager and volunteer coordinator, all experiences that are key to the success of the Action Research Center.
Matt LaLonde is a senior Accounting major at Illinois Wesleyan University. Matt is the coordinator of the WBRP Tool Library, and the treasurer of the WBRP Board of Directors. He served as the lead PI on the grants that have funded the Tool Library. Matt is in the process of obtaining his CPA license and in January 2015 will begin working with KPMG Chicago in their State and Local Tax department.
Karen Schmidt is University Librarian at Illinois Wesleyan University and a member of the WBRP Board of Directors. Karen serves on the Bloomington City Council, representing much of west Bloomington, where many Action Research Center service learning projects take place.
Three Legs of the Stool: Service Learning Projects, Community and Library
Benson Center, Williman Room
Illinois Wesleyan University’s Action Research Center is a rich program that launches many different service learning programs in the Bloomington-Normal community. Information literacy skills, as well as knowledge about research and trade publications that frequently exist outside the normal, are not always obvious in action-oriented projects. The IWU library has seized on opportunities to integrate library research and critical thinking skills into service learning projects. Some are obvious - working with faculty and students in senior seminar classes and assisting with research papers and presentations - while others are more subtle. The latter includes using our institutional repository to house service learning projects and publish excellent research papers and presentations; using the UL’s role as a member of the local city council to facilitate access to government staff and services and teach skills in searching municipal codes and the many local government trade publications; the use of interns for government and organizational projects to build on our institutional commitment to community service; and the ARC Director’s grant-writing course. Using 3 service learning projects as case studies, the presenters will discuss how these various approaches are building a foundation for library engagement with faculty and students involved in the Action Research Center.
