Theme: Resetting the Table: Inclusive Learning & Librarianship
Tuesday, May 10
Syracuse University College of Law
8:30 am – Registration with continental breakfast
9:00 am – Welcome by President
9:15 am – Keynote Speaker, William Myhill
Presentation Title: Understanding Disability in the Library and Creating Inclusive Services
Presentation Abstract:
The keynote will critique our conceptualizations of disability toward a more inclusive understanding of the lived experience disability. Findings from and implications for higher education are reviewed. Takeaways for providing more inclusive library programs and services are presented.
Presentation Summary:
The presenter critiques how disability has been excluded throughout history and conceptualized as often in need of charity or cure. The present-day experience and reality of disability in higher education for the field of librarianship is reviewed. The then talk moves toward a more inclusive understanding of the lived experience disability and how this shift in understanding is necessary. The presenter concludes by offering the field strategies for providing more inclusive library programs and services.
Bio:
William designed and presently teaches (part-time) IST-564 Accessible Library & Information Services for the Syracuse University (SU) iSchool incorporating Universal Design for Learning principles. He has worked in the fields of education and law over 30 years, collaborating with and providing services for diverse individuals with disabilities and cultural/linguistic differences through extensive research, teaching, and advocacy. He has a lifetime of personal experience with disability. Previously, in collaboration with the iSchool’s Center for Digital Literacy, William was co-PI for Project ENABLE (2010-15), where he co-developed and taught its curriculum and resources for creating inclusive library programs. As Director of Legal Research and Writing at SU’s Burton Blatt Institute (BBI) (2005-2018), William oversaw the Institute’s disability law and policy research initiatives, and supervised law student research and writing across numerous BBI projects. Presently and since February 2018, he has been serving as the University’s Interim Director & ADA/503/504 Coordinator in the Office of Diversity & Inclusion.
William is a member of the Disability Rights Bar Association – an organization of dedicated disability civil rights attorneys and scholars – and served on its Board of Directors (2011-2017). Formerly, William served as a special education teacher, facilitating, implementing and assessing individualized education programs for children with a range of disabilities, and as a U.S. Peace Corps Volunteer in Papua New Guinea. He has published widely on disability issues.
10:15 am Breakout session
11:15 am – Break and Posters and Vendors
11:45 am – Lunch
12:30 pm – Business Meeting
12:45 pm – Keynote Speaker, Nicole Thomas
Presentation Title: Critical Librarianship: Empowering Students through Inclusive Instruction
Presentation Abstract:
Teaching information literacy is an act of social justice. Librarians are in a critical position to transform the information seeking behavior of an increasingly diverse student population. How can librarians embrace their responsibility to educate beyond core search techniques and encourage students to take ownership of their learning? We must first acknowledge and understand oppressive power structures within our society, education system and profession. Additionally, as we recognize our positionality as educators, we can begin instilling agency in each student to learn how these structures impact scholarly research. As students realize their position in the scholarly conversation, they become critical of their information sources. Dismantling oppressive power structures in scholarship is the desired outcome of inclusive learning. This can be achieved by valuing diverse forms of expertise to increase the visibility and acceptance of marginalized voices.
Bio:
Nicole Thomas is a Student Support & Engagement Librarian at SUNY University at Buffalo. Nicole engages undergraduate, international and transfer students through inclusive information literacy. She teaches through a social justice lens and has been actively implementing Critical Information Literacy principles into library instruction. Nicole’s work includes current service on the University at Buffalo President’s Advisory Council on Race (PACOR) Curriculum & Pedagogy Subcommittee and UB Libraries’ Equity and Social Justice Advisory Group (ESJAG) Hiring Committee.
1:45 pm – Lightning Rounds
2:15 pm – Break and Posters and Vendors
2:45 pm- Breakout Session
3:45 pm – Concluding Remarks by President
4:00 pm – Library Tour
4:15 pm – ENYACRL Board Meeting