Supporting tomorrow’s information leaders
Dalhousie’s School of Information Management (SIM) wants to increase scholarship support for students, and encourage a more diverse student body to better represent the communities they will serve.
It’s the human element of working with information that fascinates Randolph White. The community library assistant with the Halifax Public Libraries decided to go back to school and get his master’s after working with the libraries for 10 years. He entered the MLIS program in Dalhousie’s School of Information Management (SIM) in September, 2017.
“Libraries are not just about books anymore,” he says. “Once, we would help someone navigate stacks of books. Now, we help them navigate the Internet, help them with digital literacy skills and create programs that provide outreach and respond to community needs.”
New ways to serve the community
One of the challenges of the digital age that White is most interested in is how to use technology to serve the community in new and innovative ways. For instance, in his role with the Halifax Public Libraries, White developed the popular video game program throughout the province; a project he says grew out of listening closely to the needs of the community.
“The idea originated from a weekly teen drop-in event that we hosted and youth interest in video games. We didn’t have anything like that in the libraries at the time. Through engaging with young people and bringing their needs forward, I was able to take those interests and turn them into a library service,” he says.
Now, youth across the province have a safe, fun place to go to interact with technology in a way that appeals to and engages them. It’s just one way modern libraries are reaching out and providing services to the community based on their needs and interests.
White feels the MLIS program will help him to grow in his career within the Halifax Public Libraries, and continue to create innovative programs to serve the community.
Diversity in information management
As someone with an African Nova Scotian background and Aboriginal heritage, White says it’s important to see a more diverse workforce reflected in the information management field.
“There were certain careers I never aimed for because I just didn’t see a lot of people like myself represented in them, so I thought they were off the table for me,” he says. “I think it’s important for youth to see role models that reflect their culture. With more diversity in the field, it’s more likely a young person will say “maybe a career in information management is for me.”
Sandra Toze, Director of the School of Information Management, says increasing diversity is a key priority for the school and that fundraising initiatives are currently underway to support this goal.
“If we truly want to have an impact on society and within our communities, we need to have students from all backgrounds who reflect the population,” she says. “One of the ways we can attract a broader range of students from different backgrounds and perspectives is by offering more scholarships. We want to ensure that talented and deserving students who may have financial need are given the opportunity to pursue their studies and go on to become leaders in the field.”
The human element in a digital world
White says no matter how digital we become as a society, we will always need the human element. The MLIS program’s people-centered approach to managing knowledge and information reflects this philosophy.
“As the technology advances, some people will catch on and some will get left behind, especially within under-served communities,” he says. “It’s important to make sure that everyone has a chance to learn and get help with all forms of literacy, including digital literacy,” he says.
“We will always need to guide other people. You’ll never be able to automate that.”
To support diversity initiatives in Dalhousie’s School of Information Management, please make a gift today.