Dr. Ricky Blissett ‘11, associate director of the Center for Democracy and Civic Life, was a panelist at the October 2024 Living Democracy Symposium. Part of UMD’s Living Democracy Initiative, the symposium provided opportunities for civic discourse, sharing of new perspectives, and learning about the ways that our collective history informs our present and future.
Dr. Blissett served on the panel, “Libraries' Role in Fostering Critical Information Literacy - Nurturing Democracy through Informed Citizenship.” Panelists sought to investigate the pivotal role that libraries play in advancing critical information literacy and its impact on fostering a robust democracy. They explored how libraries function as dynamic environments that nurture well-informed citizens capable of actively engaging in democratic processes.
The panel moderator was Twanna Hodge, UMD doctoral student, College of Information Studies. Additional panelists included Dr. Ana Ndumu, UMD assistant professor, College of Information Studies; DR. Meredith Evans, director, Jimmy Carter Library; and Dr. Paul R. Carr, professor, Université du Québec en Outaouais.