Service Learning as the Foundation for an Undergraduate Librarian-Taught Information and Society Course

Service-Learning is an experiential educational practice where students participate in a service project tied closely with course concepts. In Spring of 2019, the presenters co-taught a course as part of the SPU Library’s Information Studies minor. This course utilized service-learning as a framework to understand the ways in which information (especially access to information and information technologies) affects those living in the local Seattle area. In partnership with the City of Seattle, students read and scored grant applications from local organizations working on digital equity projects. In response to their service, students wrote reflection essays documenting their experience and their learning. Attendees will come away with strategies for connecting with potential service-learning partners, tools for assessing students’ service-learning experiences, and a framework for incorporating service-learning into a for-credit library taught class. Kristen Hoffman is the Psychology and Scholarly Communications Librarian, which includes being the liaison to the four departments in the School of Psychology, Family, and Community and leading the library\u27s scholarly communication program and institutional repository. With Liz Gruchala-Gilbert, she co-teaches INF 3500: Information and Society. Liz Gruchala-Gilbert is the liaison librarian for seven departments in the College of Arts and Sciences at SPU, focusing on the Arts & Humanities plus Family & Consumer Sciences. An Associate Professor, she teaches University Colloquium (a first year seminar class) and INF 3500: Information & Society. Additionally, Liz is the Lead for the library’s Instruction Program, Co-founded and Co-coordinates the Research, Reading, & Writing Studio, and serves on the University-wide Curriculum Committee

Digital and Information Equity: Discerning the Issues & Solutions in Seattle

Seattle\u27s economy is fueled by the tech industry, yet many citizens do not have access to internet service, devices, and basic technology training. Join librarians and Information Studies professors Kristen Hoffman and Liz Gruchala-Gilbert in exploring Digital and Information Equity in Seattle — what it is, who is impacted, and what solutions are being implemented