The Beta Phi Mu Beta Epsilon Chapter at the Emporia State University School of Library and Information Management (ESU-SLIM) hosted its annual business meeting and new member initiation during the Kansas Library Association “Growing. Innovating. Connecting. KLA Libraries” Oct. 30- Nov. 1, 2024, Conference in Wichita, KS.
Beta Epsilon’s faculty sponsor was acknowledged for her research, accomplishments, and publications. “Dr. Mirah J. Dow is like a river, an intricately interconnected system supporting tributaries of all sizes and forms. People are dependent on her for significant support. Dr. Dow replenishes any information drought and never floods the information stream.”
“Dr. Mirah Dow is a Professor of Library and Information Science and Director of the Ph.D. program at Emporia State University in the School of Library and Information Management. As a steadfast advocate at many levels for libraries and librarians, Dr. Dow serves on the Kansas Library Association Intellectual Freedom Committee and is an ALA Advisor to the Libraries Transforming Communities: Accessible Small and Rural Communities.”
Dr. Dow and Dr. Amanda Hovious of the SLIM faculty co-authored an Open Educational Resource textbook titled High Impact Instructional Librarians: Teaching Library and Information Literacy Skills in All Library Types (2024).
Presenting at the College and University Libraries Section (CULS) luncheon and business meeting: “Intellectual Freedom or Curriculum Censorship in College and University Libraries Section were Dr. Dow and University of Kansas Associate Librarian Carmen Orth-Alfie. They featured the “Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) framework in policies, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI); critical race theory (CRT); and intellectual freedom as articulated in the American Library Association Library Bill of Rights and its impact on students, faculty, and underserved populations and/or first-generation college students.”
Envisioning MLS Education: Reflections on Library Roles, Relevancy and Relationships by Dr. Mirah Dow and ESU SLIM Associate Professor Dr. Andrew Smith provided conversations about “future issues and trends in all library types to prepare successful library and information professionals with imagination, creativity and innovations.”
Actively Advocating and Educating for Intellectual Freedom identified the KLA Intellectual Freedom Committee (IFC) which hosted a panel discussion how this committee is continuously involved in “advocacy, education, and support of libraries, library workers, and library boards and provides updated activities and available resources to address the fundamental intellectual freedom rights of all Kansans.” Speaker Dr. Mirah Dow and panelists included: Laci Griffin, Johnson County Library, Collection Development Manager; Tammie Benham, Southeast Kansas Library System, Youth Services Consultant; and Gregg Wamsley, Hutchinson Public Library, Library Director.
During the Beta Epsilon business meeting and initiation, members and inductees were present in person and via zoom. Past-President, Dr. Amanda Harrison, is an Assistant Professor for the University of Central Missouri in the Department of Educational Technology and Library Science. “Dr. Harrison initiated a new Beta Phi Mu chapter, Beta Beta Pi. In addition she is the treasurer for the Kansas Association of School Librarians and serves on the ALA IRRT International Reception Committee.” Harrison’s efforts maintaining and updating the chapter’s wordpress and social media communications are appreciated.
Congratulations to Dr. Amanda Harrison who is one of three recipients of the ALISE Leadership Development Internship Program, “designed to identify individuals with the significant potential to provide future leadership for ALISE and in the broader field of library and information science.” She will assist in “identifying organizational and professional activities in executive meetings, annual convention planning, and scholarly endeavors.”
Dr. Amanda Harrison presented: Moving from One-Shot Digital Literacy lessons to a more comprehensive Inquiry Pedagogy School. “School librarians are often asked to deliver One-Shot digital literacy or research skills lessons that are outside a more collaborative inquiry framework. This breakout session reviewed inquiry pedagogy and discussed building quick collaborative opportunities moving your students in a direction that will support higher-order thinking and metacognition and how these changes can support KSDE’s current focus on High-Quality Instruction.
Beta Epsilon Treasurer Tabitha Hogan is the Director of the Winfield Public Library, which was “selected nationally among 100 libraries for the Libraries Transforming Communities: Focus on Small and Rural Libraries, an American Library Association (ALA) initiative that helps library workers better serve their communities.” Hogan’s technology and bookkeeping expertise contribute to Beta Epsilon’s social media platforms and financial matters.
Welcome new initiates: Janthinee Bard, Michelle Karlinsey, Kimberly Ketcham, Kelli Marlow, Kristi Monack, Vivian Smith, Alexandra Teske, and Alisha Williams. We are delighted you have committed to honor the Beta Phi Mu standard of academic excellence.
Elections of officers resulted in President Carmaine Ternes, Vice-President Khiana Harris, 2nd Vice-President Hazlett Henderson, Secretary Mira Greene, Treasurer Tabitha Hogan, and continued mentorship from our faculty sponsor Dr. Mirah Dow. Thanks for your dedication to service.
Following adjournment, the Beta Epsilon program was held virtually and in person. “What is OER, and What’s it Got to Do with Libraries?” by Dr. Mirah J. Dow and Josh Bolick, Head of the University of Kansas David Shulenburger Office of Scholarly Communication & Copyright. “Open Educational Resources, or OER, are a major topic in the landscape of higher education. How have libraries and librarians been at the heart of this growth?”
Everyone was invited to join this vibrant, collaborative community of practice and advocacy. “Josh Bolick is co-lead editor of Scholarly Communication Librarianship and Open Knowledge (ACRL, 2023), a cofounder of the related Scholarly Communication Notebook, and a former presenter for the Open Education Network.”
Beta Epsilon continues to explore professional development opportunities and welcomes your feedback.
SLIM Beta Epsilon 