Welcome to LIS-505BIntroduction to Library and

Information Studies

Dr. Valerie NessetJanuary 11, 2010

Introduction to Library and Information Studies LIS-505 2

What is the purpose of the course?

Overview or “taste” of the field. History, foundations (theory and practice)

and issues

Framework for required and elective courses Plan of Study

Introduction to Library and Information Studies LIS-505 3

Course Objectives1. To understand the history, context, and

development of communication media and libraries and their relationship to the field of Library and Information Studies (LIS).

Theoretical overview (Week 4) A Brief History of Communication

Media, Libraries, and Librarianship (Week 4)

Introduction to Library and Information Studies LIS-505 4

Course Objectives

2. To identify the main functions involved in the operation of a library or information center and to illustrate the flow of information within them.

Libraries in Operation: Functions and Types (Week 3 – Assignment 1)

The Role of Libraries/The Information Cycle (Week 5)

Introduction to Library and Information Studies LIS-505 5

Course Objectives

3. To identify and understand the types and roles of information professionals within the information infrastructure of a networked society.

Access to Information: Information Behaviour (Week 8)

Panel of Information Professionals (Week 15)

Introduction to Library and Information Studies LIS-505 6

Course Objectives

4. To identify and evaluate some of the major issues concerning information access, provision, and use as addressed in the professional and scholarly literature.

Censorship and Freedom of Expression (9) Publishing, Copyright, and Open Access (10) Information Literacy (12) Information and Societies: the International Dimension (13) Group Discussions/Presentations

Introduction to Library and Information Studies LIS-505 7

Course Objectives

5. To demonstrate an understanding of LIS principles, practices, and ethics

6. To complete an informed Plan of Study

Digital Libraries and Archives (Week 6) What is Information Science? What is

Knowledge Management? (Week 7) The LIS Profession: Parts I and II (Week

14) The entire course!

Introduction to Library and Information Studies LIS-505 8

Course Objectives

Course objectives will be met through:

A series of lectures by myself and invited guests who are experts in their particular areas.

Small group online discussions and class meetings (15%)

Assignments (80%) Class participation (5%)

Introduction to Library and Information Studies LIS-505 9

And about the lectures…

Abridged lectures on UBlearns prior to each class meeting (exception: when there is a guest panel or speaker).

Class participation is encouraged during the lectures and attendance is mandatory for small group presentations.

Introduction to Library and Information Studies LIS-505 10

And about the small group discussions…

Participation in discussion groups = 15% of final mark.

Each person will be expected to take on a specific role (e.g. recorder, discussion leader, reporter) on a rotational basis.

The mark depends mainly on the content of the document produced by each group.

Individual participation will be monitored via the chat logs.

Introduction to Library and Information Studies LIS-505 11

And about the assignments… Purpose of the assignments is to introduce

you to various aspects of Library and Information Studies not covered in class.

Assignments also provide a measure for assessment of your learning.

Three assignments: Assignment #1: Groups of two or three Assignment #2: Individually or in pairs Assignment #3: Individually.

Introduction to Library and Information Studies LIS-505 12

More about the assignments…

Assignment 1

Focuses on processes and the relationships between them within a library or information center

Provision of and access to information resources

Diagrammatic

Terminology

“The big picture”

Introduction to Library and Information Studies LIS-505 13

More about the assignments…

Assignment 2

Opportunity to apply theory to practice

Development of critical thinking and decision-making skills

“Real life” scenario

Introduction to Library and Information Studies LIS-505 14

More about the assignments…Assignment 3: Literature Review

Focuses on the theoretical side of LIS

What issues concern information professionals? What are the major themes?

What are the experts saying about these issues? What is the debate surrounding these

issues?

Critical Thinking – synthesis and analysis Identification and analysis of major themes.

Introduction to Library and Information Studies LIS-505 15

And about the assignments…

Check UBlearns under Assignments for electronic copies as well as copies of assessment criteria and useful information.

Make use of office hours!!

Email is very handy if you are unable to see me in person and have a question regarding the course or the assignments. I will try to reply to your questions as promptly as possible.

DLIS Orientation

Or Everything You Need to Know But Were Afraid To Ask . . .

January 11, 2010

Introduction to Library and Information Studies LIS-505 17

Advisement

Why To help you develop a plan of study

appropriate for your career goals

Who LIS faculty (one should have been assigned

to you)

When As soon as possible (to develop an initial

Plan of Study, required for this course)

Introduction to Library and Information Studies LIS-505 18

LIS-526: Practicum Supervised by an information professional Hands-on experience in a workplace environment 12 credit hours in LIS must be completed Choice of length (40 hours = 1 credit; typical

practicum is 120 hours for 3 credits) Maximum of 6 credits from practica during the

program Grading: Satisfactory (S) or Unsatisfactory (U) http://www.gse.buffalo.edu/programs/lis/forms/PracticumList4.pd

f http://www.gse.buffalo.edu/programs/lis/forms.asp

Introduction to Library and Information Studies LIS-505 19

LIS-527: Special Project

Supervised by an information professional Special duties related to LIS 12 credit hours in LIS must be completed before

starting a special project Hours and nature of project to be determined

by the supervisor Maximum of 6 credits from special projects

http://www.gse.buffalo.edu/programs/lis/forms/LIS527_Guidelines.pdf

http://www.gse.buffalo.edu/programs/lis/forms.asp

Introduction to Library and Information Studies LIS-505 20

LIS-598: Directed Study Can be taken at any point during the

program (no pre-credit requirements) Grading: Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory; or

Letter Grade (as decided by instructor)

http://www.gse.buffalo.edu/programs/lis/forms/LIS598_Directed_Study.pdf

Maximum of 9 credits for any combination of 526/527/598 with a maximum of 6 credits for 526/527.

Introduction to Library and Information Studies LIS-505 21

LIS Programs

MLS (general) SLMS certification

http://www.gse.buffalo.edu/programs/lis/2/

Public Library: civil service requirements

Specializations Law (MLS/JD)

http://www.gse.buffalo.edu/programs/lis/3/ Music (MLS/MA)

http://www.gse.buffalo.edu/programs/lis/4/

Introduction to Library and Information Studies LIS-505 22

UB Libraries

Electronic Resources http://library.buffalo.edu/ To use a database from home, click on it and enter

your UBIT name and password

Lockwood Library (graduate) LIS Collection (basement) Technical Services http://library.buffalo.edu/libraries/about/maps/

directionslml.html

Capen Library (undergraduate) Course Reserves (main desk) http://library.buffalo.edu/libraries/about/maps/

directionsugl.html