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Founding Purpose and Mission:
The Library Instruction Round Table (LIRT) was founded in 1977. Its purpose is to advocate library instruction and information literacy as a part of lifelong learning. LIRT supports librarians engaged in library instruction and information literacy in all types of libraries.
Our goals:
- To increase professional and public awareness of the need for library instruction and information literacy.
- To encourage the development of American Library Association policy promoting library instruction and information literacy.
- To assist library practitioners in the development, improvement, and promotion of library instruction and information literacy activities.
- To broaden the base of LIRT membership by attracting members from all types of libraries, and to encourage active involvement of LIRT members in the organization.
- To create programming that appeals to instruction librarians from all types of libraries.
- To provide opportunities in which librarians from all types of libraries can share ideas about library instruction and information literacy.
- To encourage the networking of professional library instruction and information literacy groups.
- To encourage library schools to include education for library instruction and information literacy in their curricula.
- To maintain an organizational structure that enables the implementation of the goals and objectives of the Library Instruction Round Table.
Vision:
The Library Instruction Round Table will be an inclusive, energetic and diverse multi-type library organization that is recognized as the first stop for practical methods related to library pedagogy, information literacy and point-of-need service. Our organization will utilize technology to its best capacity to enhance communication, outreach to other organizations, build community and recruit new librarians for active engagement. (This vision statement was developed from ideas generated at the LIRT retreat held at Midwinter 2004.)
Key Action Areas:
- Mentoring
- Development of practical tools and methods
- Networking
- Streamlining of organizational processes
- Recruitment
Organizational Values:
- Commitment to member service
- Commitment to all types of libraries and librarians
- Open, inclusive and collaborative environment
- Professionalism
- Excellence and innovation
- Transparency and integrity
- Commitment to improving the everyday practice of library instruction
Desired Future:
The Library
- All types of libraries will consider library instruction a vital and valuable part of what they do.
- Library patrons of all ages and educational levels will be information literate according to the professional standards and definitions developed by ALA and its divisions.
The Profession
- Library instruction will be a standard part of the curriculum at library schools.
The Organization
- LIRT will be recognized within ALA as a key player in discussions about information literacy.
- LIRT will be recognized among all librarians as a source of practical information about teaching methods and library instruction.
- LIRT will be an efficiently run organization that maximizes the time of volunteers and communicates well internally.
Short-Term Goals and Objectives, updated June 2005
Goal Statement: Develop strategies for mentoring new instruction librarians.
Strategic Objectives:
- Establish a mentoring committee to look at opportunities for mentoring, such as an Ask an Expert feature on our Web site, or a more formal and extensive mentoring program.
- Investigate ways that a LIRT award could be used to mentor new librarians.
Goal Statement: Develop the LIRT Website as a first stop or gateway to all kinds of information about library instruction and information literacy.
Strategic Objectives:
- Form a Web Advisory committee to look at ways to enhance the LIRT web site as a clearinghouse for library instruction-related information.
Goal Statement: Develop practical tools and methods for instruction librarians.
Strategic Objectives:
- Encourage LIRT committees to develop practical content for the Website, newsletter, and conference programs.
- Have the Web Advisory committee look at new services or features for the web site that would provide practical benefits for teaching librarians.
Goal Statement: Recruit librarians from all types of libraries for LIRT membership.
Strategic Objectives:
- Hold a membership drive at the LIRT program each year.
- Plan LIRT programs to appeal to a broad audience of librarians.
- Make new LIRT initiatives such as mentoring and awards available to all types of librarians.
Goal Statement: Increase networking with other professional library groups with interests that overlap ours, including LOEX, ACRL-IS, RUSA, etc.
Strategic Objectives:
- Establish more formal relationships with other ALA groups interested in instruction.
Goal Statement: Streamline LIRT administrative procedures to maximize the time of officers, committee chairs and volunteers.
Strategic Objectives:
- Revise LIRT's online organizational manual to include accurate, up-to-date information about the organization and how it functions. Create checklists that clearly spell out the roles and responsibilities for all officers, appointed positions, committee chairs and members.
- Establish a process of systematic review and revision of the LIRT manual.
- Combine administrative committees which overlap in membership.
- Reevaluate and revise committee charges to clarify the purpose and duties of each committee.
Contact Billie Peterson-Lugo (Billie_Peterson@baylor.edu) about these pages.
Last Updated: Content: 5 June 2006 -- Billie Peterson-Lugo; Graphics: 15 April 2001-- Jana Ronan