Topics addressed in this course include collection development and access policies, selection methods and practices, collection assessment, preservation and conservation, de-selection, treatment of rare material,manuscripts and archives, U.S. government publications, non-book and digital formats management,juvenile and other special materials. 3 credits.
In this course, we will explore the fascinating and deceptively complex topic of information literacy through the variety of definitions, teaching approaches and meanings that constitute this field. This course provides an introduction to the principles of library instruction and information literacy including a historical overview of their place within the profession. Emphasis is on instruction within an academic setting, but students will learn important educational theories that can be applied to a variety of settings. Information literacy standards and frameworks will be examined as well as types of instruction, instructional design, collaboration with faculty, various competencies, assessment, and lifelong learning. The class has a strong emphasis on public speaking, communication skills, and the practical application of educational theory. 3 credits.
This course is a reflection and discussion guided exploration of various societal privileges and how they affect equity in library, archives, and other information professions. 2 credits.
This course is designed to prepare librarians to work with children (ages birth to 12 years) in school and public libraries. Topics covered include children’s development, reading interests and needs, materials selection, collection development (including print and non-print materials), discussions of specific genres, reading motivation skills, designing a children’s area, and developing various programming ideas. Students read/view/listen to and evaluate a wide variety of materials for and about this age group, prepare and present booktalks and stories, become familiar with review sources, and design a one-year plan for youth services in a school or public library. 3 credits.
Information resources include a number of different kinds of reference materials in a wide variety of formats. These include guidebooks, encyclopedias and dictionaries, indexes and abstracts, handbooks, bibliographies, biographical finding tools and biographies, data sets and much more. Many of these resources are available on-line, as well as in print and other digital formats. This course will help students identify and evaluate the most likely resources for information queries in particular settings. It will also provide the opportunity to find answers to real research questions. The course will cover the primary resources for the broad disciplines of business, humanities, sciences, social sciences and government publications in print and electronic formats. Class exercises will reflect the multidisciplinary and multicultural interests and characteristics of library users. 3 credits.
A foundation course on the applications of information and communications technology in libraries and information agencies. Integrated library systems and the acquisition, evaluation, and implementation of library automation solutions, including electronic resource management systems are explored. The course further introduces database design, Internet technology, web services, cloud computing, computer networks, telecommunications, and computer security. Hardware, software, and other productivity tools and utilities from organizations such as OCLC, Amazon, and Google are discussed. 4 credits.
This course is intended for Master’s degree students in the College of Education. Quantitative research designs, empirical methods of data collection and interpretation, and measurement issues in research are examined. 4 credits.
This course teaches librarians the skills, techniques, and procedures for developing and implementing a storytelling Program for children, young adults, or adults. The history of storytelling, its place in the school or public library, and in our culture as a whole, will be included. Students will read a wide variety of stories, learn techniques to adapt them for various settings and groups, demonstrate their ability to tell stories and to develop storytelling programs for two different age groups. 2 credits.
This course provides a theoretical foundation and practical experience in building digital collections. It will introduce students to all aspects of building digital collections including planning, user needs analysis, selecting standards and content management systems, creating digital objects and metadata, designing user interface, preservation of digital objects, and management and evaluation of digital collections. Topics covered include content creation standards and best practices, metadata, interoperability, sustainability, scalability of management systems, and concepts related to designing access tools and delivery systems. Discussion of technology and its application to digital library and archives practices will be a major theme. 3 credits.
This course will provide an overview of public libraries in the United States. Students will gain anappreciation for the complexities of managing public libraries and the differences that exist withinthe various governance structures. Public services and advocacy will be covered, along with the state and federal structures that impact the work of public libraries. 2 credits.
This course provides the student with an opportunity to explore readers advisory service from a customers perspective. Students study the readers advisory literature and examine all types of genre fiction. Lecture, readings and class discussion will focus on specific genres and authors within them. Students will also be required to read in all the genres. 3 credits.
This course prepares librarians to work with young adults (ages 12-18) in school and public libraries. Topics covered include young adult development, reading interests and needs, materials selection, collection development (including print and non-print materials), and discussions of specific genres, reading motivation skills, designing a YA area, programming, and intellectual freedom issues. Participants will read/view/listen to and evaluate a wide variety of materials for and about this age group, prepare and present booktalks, become familiar with review sources, and design a one-year plan for a YA department in a small school or public library. 3 credits.
An introduction to current theory and practice of management in information organizations through the study of organizations, communications, decision making, planning, leadership, human resources and budgeting. 4 credits.
This course introduces basic concepts in the theoretical, practical, and technological aspects of information organization. It provides an overview of the methodologies for organizing and representing information resources in the library, archives, and museum settings. 4 credits.
Overview of human information processing and user services in the changing information environment and different communities of practice. This course introduces the concepts of user information needs, seeking, and processing as a foundation for understanding users and designing user-centered information services. The course examines both traditional reference and current/emerging information services in different settings and populations. Course also introduces the concepts of information literacy, user education, and assessment of information services. 4 credits.