New University of Maryland iSchool Study Abroad Opportunity: Developing Services for a Knowledge-Based Economy through Namibian Libraries
Join the iSchool at the University of Maryland in Namibia! Namibia, a thriving, democratic, picturesque country in Southern Africa, is investing heavily in its library services to support its goal of reaching the United
Nations’ Millennium Development goals to eradicate poverty by the year 2015. LIS students and practitioners are welcome to apply for this unique study abroad experience on libraries and development, being held from July 12-25, 2014.
Learn about library development, higher education and information infrastructure from Namibian locals, library staff and government representatives. Visit cultural, information and education institutions, including libraries and archives,
in Windhoek, the capital and then travel to regional Learning Resource Centers, run by the National Library Service, to offer in-service training for staff and programs for local patrons of the Centers. Gain valuable hands on experience developing and delivering
information literacy training to library staff and conducting community programming for local youth. You will experience the country's culture and information practices first hand.
Estimated cost for the program is $3,100 + air fare.
For more information, program contacts and to apply, please visit:
https://myea.umd.edu/index.cfm?FuseAction=Programs.ViewProgram&Program_ID=10592
The program will be led by Dr. Wendy Simmons, who has worked as an Information Resource Officer in the US State Department for more than 20 years. Her regional assignments included Southern and Coastal West Africa, South America,
and Southeast Asia. Her Washington positions included serving the Central African Region; being a worldwide training officer; and serving as director of the global office that oversees 825 American Spaces around the world. Prior to her work in the State Department,
Dr. Simmons taught at the University of Maryland, at the Universidade Eduardo Mondlane in Mozambique, and at the University of Botswana. She holds a PhD from the University of Maryland. Her dissertation research was conducted in Zimbabwe, evaluating models
of information delivery to semi-literate citizens in rural areas and townships near Harare, the capital.
Questions: Contact Wendy Simmons at
[log in to unmask].
Application deadline: March 15
Mary Carroll-Mason
Communications Coordinator
College of Information Studies, Maryland's iSchool
University of Maryland
4105J Hornbake Building
College Park, MD 20742
(301) 405-1260
Twitter: @I_UMD