Academic Librarianship

Virtually all accredited institutions of higher education in the United States have libraries, whether they are community colleges, private colleges, major universities, or specialized research institutes. Depending on the goals of the institution, the library may be oriented to academic or scientific research or more directed to the information needs of students. Academic librarians are involved with:

  • Reference
  • Specialized collections
  • Instruction
  • Rare manuscripts and archives
  • Technical services
  • Administration
  • Collection development 

REQUIRED COURSES

LIS 221 – PLANNING AND DELIVERING INFORMATION LITERACY PROGRAMS
Theory and practice of user education with emphasis on developing information literacy programs.  Standards, guidelines, instructional models, effective pedagogical techniques, collaboration and assessment. Planning, delivering and evaluation of instructional programs designed to develop lifelong information literacy skills.

LIS 231 – COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES
Academic library administration, planning, staffing, and evaluation.  The history of higher education and the college library in the U.S.  The impact of demographic and social changes on the provision of service.

LIS 260 – INFORMATION USE AND USERS
Survey/seminar on how LIS practitioners and researchers seek to understand user information needs/behaviors.  Emphasis on theories of user needs and information use.  Populations include children, business managers, attorneys, scientists, university students, general researchers, and consumers.  Prerequisite: 204

LIS 265 – ONLINE DATABASE SEARCHING
Study and use of online bibliographic databases in a wide variety of subject areas. Emphasis is on appropriate database selection, search strategies, and information delivery modes.  Prerequisite: 205

LIS 304 – LIBRARIAN AS TEACHER
The role of the librarian as teacher; knowledge and skills necessary for instruction and training in library and information settings.  Issues and strategies for effective instruction.  Prerequisite: 205

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED COURSES

LIS 238 – WEB DESIGN FOR LIBRARIES AND INFORMATION CENTERS
An information architecture approach to the design of web sites for large enterprises.  Topics include information content, organization, labeling, navigation, searching, usability, and accessibility.

LIS 246 – PRACTICAL CONSERVATION AND PRESERVATION OF LIBRARY MATERIALS
A practical approach to the principles and applications of the conservation and preservation of library materials as daily functions of library management, including digital techniques.

LIS 249 – ARCHIVES & MANUSCRIPTS: BASIC FUNCTIONS AND CURRENT ISSUES
Management of archives and manuscript repositories, including basic functions and skills required of an archivist or curator of manuscripts as well as current issues and topics.

LIS 265 – ONLINE DATABASE SEARCHING
Study and use of online bibliographic databases in a wide variety of subject areas. Emphasis is on appropriate database selection, search strategies, and information delivery modes.

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