Plenary Panel: Theory Meets Practice

Audio from a panel at the Reference Renaissance conference. Participants were: R. David Lankes, Ph.D., Syracuse University R. David Lankes is director of the Information Institute of Syracuse, and an associate professor in Syracuse University's School of Information Studies. Lankes has always been interested in combining theory and practice to create active research projects that make a difference. Past projects include the ERIC Clearinghouse on Information and Technology, the Gateway to Education Materials, AskERIC and the Virtual Reference Desk. Lankes' more recent work involves how participatory concepts can reshape libraries and credibility. This work expands his ongoing work to understand the integration of human expertise in information systems. Lankes is a passionate advocate for libraries and their essential role in today's society. He also seeks to understand how information approaches and technologies can be used to transform industries. In this capacity he has served on advisory boards and study teams in the fields of libraries, telecommunications, education, and transportation including at the National Academies. He has been appointed as a visiting fellow at the National Library of Canada, the Harvard School of Education and the first fellow of ALA's Office for Information Technology Policy. Jamie LaRue, Douglas County Libraries Jamie LaRue has been director of the Douglas County Libraries since 1990. He is Past President of the Colorado Association of Libraries (1998-1999), Colorado Librarian of the Year (1998), and author of The New Inquisition: Understanding and Managing Intellectual Freedom Challenges (2007). LaRue believes that the 21st century librarian is prepared to take reference services to the next level -- or face utter irrelevancy. Marie L. Radford, Ph.D., Rutgers University School of Communication, Information, and Library Studies Marie L. Radford, Ph.D. is an Associate Professor at Rutgers University School of Communication, Information, and Library Studies. Prior to joining the Rutgers faculty, she was Acting Dean at Pratt Institute, NYC. She holds a Ph.D. from Rutgers University and an MSLS from Syracuse University. Her research interests are: qualitative evaluation of virtual reference (especially live chat), interpersonal communication aspects of reference (both traditional and virtual), nonverbal communication, and media stereotypes of librarians. Her dynamic presentation style is well known as she has given numerous papers and workshops at library and communication conferences. She has also published widely in scholarly library journals. She is an editor of Virtual Reference Service: From Competencies to Assessment (Neal-Schuman, 2008). Her other books include Web Research: Selection, Evaluation, and Citing, 2nd ed. (Allyn & Bacon, 2006) and The Reference Encounter: Interpersonal Communication in the Academic Library (ACRL/ALA, 1999). She blogs at Library Garden and her website. Carla J. Stoffle, Dean of Libraries and Center for Photography, University of Arizona Carla J. Stoffle has been Dean of Libraries and Center for Creative Photography at the University of Arizona since July 1, 1991. Ms. Stoffle is the author of three books and over fifty major articles and chapters, along with other articles and edited works in the area of Academic Librarianship, focusing on topics such as Library Management, User Education, Diversity, Public Services, and Budgeting. She has also participated in over 100 presentations, workshops, and panels from 1972 to the present. She currently serves as the Chair of the Greater Western Library Alliance Board of Directors, is an incoming American Library Association Councilor, and is a member of the American Library Association Endowment Trustees. In Arizona, she serves on the Arizona State Library Board of Library Examiners and the Pima County Public Library Board.

Blip | August 18, 2008

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