LILAC 2014 Teachmeet Abstract

1. What do you know? Or who do you know? Developing information literate
information professionals through networking and free training
Catherine McManamon, Manchester Metropolitan University, c.mcmanamon@mmu.ac.uk
Amy Finnegan, NICE, finnegan515@hotmail.com
Helen Monagle, Manchester Metropolitan University, h.monagle@mmu.ac.uk
Siobhan Cottam, Manchester Metropolitan University, siobhan_cottam@mmu.ac.uk
Manchester NLPN is a non-profit initiative that provides training for early career professionals. This teach meet
will consider how IL has featured directly and indirectly in our events and will illustrate practical ways librarians
across all grades and sectors can inexpensively keep pace with what it is to be information literate in increasingly
participatory digital environments.
We will share lessons learned in developing a community of practice with IL at the core of many of our events
and processes, including: developing multiple social media platforms, planning and promoting events, building a
network of professional contacts and obtaining funding to facilitate free and pragmatic training events to meet the
knowledge gaps of our members (who are often without an institution to fund formal training courses). These
events have covered IL from interactive teaching techniques to broad digital literacies, with experienced
practitioners delivering transferable skills applicable to all involved in IL advocacy and delivery.
Against the prevalent assumption that “information is cheap and easy to find” is the reality that acquiring
expertise in information literacy is often ”expensive and difficult to obtain.” When it comes to IL, whether newly
qualified or seasoned practitioner, in an information landscape of constant change and proliferating strands of
literacy – we’re all ”new” professionals. In this vein, the teach meet will share strategies used by
ManchesterNLPN which can be appropriated to enable those without training budgets to facilitate CPD and
nuanced IL practice.
Participation in the teachmeet will allow for demonstration of the pragmatic tools and techniques we have used to
develop the network as well as discussion of knowledge exchange that has enriched our individual practice, and
the personal and professional development which hasresulted from involvement in this professional network.
References
Brabazon, T. (2008) “We can’t let schools become book free zones” Times Higher Education, Available at
http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/402219.article (Accessed 14.11.13).