About

The Building Strong Library and Information Science Education (BSLISE) Working Group is a working group within the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA), devoted to strengthening the international quality of library and information science education (LIS), and as a result, the excellence of LIS professional practice.

The IFLA Building Strong Library and Information Science Education (BSLISE) Working Group emerged out of deliberations at the 2016 IFLA Satellite Meeting (Dublin, Ohio, USA) on quality assessment of LIS education programs, hosted by the IFLA Section on Education and Training and the Section on Library Theory and Research. The BSLISE Working Group is comprised of members from across the globe and is an initiative of the IFLA Section on Education and Training (SET), LIS Education in Developing Countries SIG, and Section on Library Theory and Research (LTR). The BSLISE is working towards the development of an international quality assessment framework that promotes quality in LIS education programmes, and is inclusive of regional and national contexts and recognizes the LIS education needs arising out of such geographical and cultural contextuality. The framework would also seek opportunities for articulation of principles of reciprocity and transferability of LIS education programmes in an effort to promote better mobility of LIS professionals across the globe.

As an initial step, BSLISE is conducting a study of qualification requirements (education, certification, individual credentialing system) for library and information “professional” practice in order to help determine equivalence of credentials. We will soon be inviting the LIS community to participate in an online survey and to volunteer to serve as country specialists to provide information regarding professional qualifications in their country. We look forward to your contribution to this important survey.