Adapting LIS education to the digital age: co-operation and internationalisation for innovation

Abstract

Internationalisation in Library and Information Science (LIS) education, is becoming a key issue for LIS higher education in Europe. The Bologna process framework means the government support for putting together best educational experiences and expertise of European LIS schools. European Commission higher education programs (SOCRATES, TEMPUS and ERASMUS) could provide adequate financement for LIS schools networks (for example for research or particular agreement on competencies required to digital librarians) and also could support joint courses (Erasmus Mundus). This paper seeks to provide evidence about the impact on innovation that co-operation and internationalisation could have on LIS schools, applying the Adler model of internationalisation development and inter-cultural issues. It describes three case studies in Italian LIS Schools (Padova, Siena-Arezzo and Parma) and an investigation of the intercultural achievements of the joint Master course held by Parma (IT) and Northumbria (UK) Universities. The next step in education for digital librarianship appears to be the development of special programs and specializations based on co-operation and internationalisation of LIS schools in Europe, integrating research and education best practices. The conclusion deals with the possible impact of a LIS schools international programme for digital library education.