1. Copyright
   • Legal considerations
   • Ethical considerations
   • Fair use vs. ownership rights
2. Publishing
   • Traditional publishing methods
   • Multimedia impact
   • Electronic publishing
3. Collection management
   • Selection
   • Acquisitions and/or access
   • Preservation
   • Evaluation of collections
   • Cooperative collection management
4. Impact on information agencies
   • Cost considerations
   • Fees vs free access

1. Library associations
2. Issues facing the library profession
   • Professional image and perceptions of professional worth
   • Gender/race/subject/age level/other biases
3. Management issues
   • Funding and budgeting
   • Interpersonal communication
   • Ethical considerations
4. Educational issues
   • Pre-service education for the library profession
   • Methods and content of professional education
   • Continuing education/staff development
   • Professional/paraprofessional considerations

1. Research in library and information studies
2. The professional literature

REQUIREMENTS OF THE COURSE

1. Required text: The Whole Library Handbook, George M. Eberhart, compiler (Chicago: American Library Association, 1995).
2. Readings: A schedule of readings is appended to this syllabus. You are expected to become familiar with the literature of the field of library and information studies.
3. Papers: You are expected to word-process all papers. If you do not own, or have access to, a word processor, you may use one of the campus computing labs (schedules of operation may be obtained from the Computing Center, Room 235, Bryan School of Business). WordPerfect 5.1 is available on campus computers, and training sessions may be arranged for those who need it. You will need to provide your own blank diskettes when using University computers.
4. Style for papers: You are required to prepare papers according to Turabian's A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Dissertations and Theses (5th edition), which has been officially adopted by the LIS Department. All papers must be double-spaced, with 1 inch margins, and dark print. Footnotes or endnotes should be included, as needed. You are expected to proofread your work for typographical, spelling, and grammatical errors. Any handwritten work done in class will be completed in ink, using only one side of the paper.

GRADING CRITERIA

1. Attendance and participation (10%)
   1. Attendance at all class sessions is expected, unless other arrangements have been made with the instructor. In case of emergency, a telephone call to explain the absence is expected.
   2. You are encouraged to participate in discussions, and to ask questions.
   3. Assignments are due on the date specified on the course calendar. Any exceptions must be cleared in advance, or in the case of an emergency, by telephone or in person, with the instructor.
   4. Unexplained absences and late assignments will impact your grade.
2. Short papers (50%)

   Four (4) papers will be written during the course (see due dates on the course calendar).

   1. Reaction to panel presentations;
   2. Evaluation of a research report;
   3. Analysis of an access issue or trend;
   4. Library visit/observation and interview with a practicing professional.
3. Issue paper (25%)
   1. This paper on an access issue should be no shorter than 8 pages nor longer than 15 pages, with an abstract and a bibliography. The topic should be selected in consultation with the instructor during the first four (4) weeks of the course. Papers should be scholarly and neutral in tone, rather than emotional or persuasive. Use of first and second person (I, We, You, etc.) is strongly discouraged.
   2. The paper should focus on one particular issue related to user access to information, materials, or facilities. (An issue is an unsettled matter or topic which is open to debate and about which pro and con views exist.) Your paper should identify arguments both for and against the issue, and conclude with a statement of your own position on the issue and reasons for your position (for this part of the paper, first person tone is acceptable).
   3. You will make a short oral presentation to the class about the issue you covered in your paper.
4. Midterm examination and Final examination (15%)

   (These examinations will be in class)

5. The following scale indicates the requirements for grades:
   1. A = Superior.

      Student exceeds course requirements and demonstrates the ability to:

      -integrate concepts covered in class sessions and readings with assignments;
      -think abstractly, logically, critically, and ethically about issues;
      -analyze problems objectively, identify needs, set goals, and formulate original and creative solutions;
      -and communicate clearly and concisely, both in writing and verbally.
      
      
   2. B = Good.

      Student meets course requirements and demonstrates the ability to:

      -understand concepts covered in class sessions and readings;
      -apply concepts to practical problems;
      -and communicate clearly and concisely, both in writing and verbally.

   3. C = Weak.

      Student meets most of the course requirements, but not on a level acceptable for graduate credit.

   4. F = Failure

      Student does not meet course requirements.

   5. I = Incomplete

      Students indicates the inability, for reasons beyond his/her control, to complete course requirements by the end of the term in which the course is offered. (A grade of "I" is rarely conferred, and only in consultation with the instructor)

   6. W = Withdrawal

      Student withdraws from the course within the time period specified by the University.

   7. NC = No Credit (for those who audit the course)

   INSTRUCTIONS FOR SHORT PAPER ASSIGNMENTS

   General Instructions:

   All four assignments described here must follow certain uniform guidelines. There is a recommended length of at least three pages and an absolute maximum of five pages. All assignments will be graded on technical aspects (syntax, spelling, etc.) as well as content. Each should be word-processed, double-spaced, with a dark printer, and no less than 1" margins. Use Turabian (5th edition) as a style manual reference.

   Assignment #1: REACTION TO PANELS

   Members of the panels presented views from various perspectives showing differences in mission/purpose, funding, services, technology, staffing, collection, facilities, user characteristics, etc. First identify with which situation you are most familiar and explain why/how. Now, based on the panel presentations, what do you see as the advantages/disadvantages for each of the services/agencies/types presented? Which appeals to you most and why? What problems are these agencies/services facing, particularly in regard to access to information, materials and facilities? Which agency/service appears to be faced with the greatest challenges? What are the challenges, and why is that service/agency/type facing greater challenges than the others?

   Assignment #2: EVALUATION OF A PUBLISHED RESEARCH REPORT

   Read the assigned published research report and evaluate it according to the following guidelines:
   1. Complete citation.
   2. Identify the type of research design.
   3. Identify the method(s) of data collection.
   4. Identify statistical procedures used.
   5. Importance of the problem: Was it clearly stated and important? Terms defined? Purpose or research question stated? Limitations defined? Assumptions stated?
   6. Review of the literature: Were previous studies identified and evaluated?
   7. Methodology: Did you understand the research design and data collection techniques as described? Were the sample and population identified, adequately described? Variables identified? Did the researcher show the research design/instruments to be valid/reliable?
   8. Analysis of the data: Were the results clearly presented? Tables and charts clear? Readable?
   9. Summary and conclusions: Did the researcher present conclusions clearly? Separate from data analysis? What use(s) can be made of the results? What are the implications of the results for the profession? Are there possibilities for further research?
   
   

   Assignment #3: ANALYSIS OF ACCESS ISSUE / TREND

   Select one of the access issues or trends you have identified in class to date as a possible topic for your longer issue paper. Read any information in your text for background information about the topic you have selected. In addition, read at least two other sources (articles, chapters, etc. -- refer to bibliography and other sources you can locate). Write a one page abstract of each of your two readings. The abstracts should include complete citations and summaries of major points. (See Turabian for correct format of a bibliographic citation.) Write a one to three page analysis of the readings including your analysis of the trend or issue, problems associated with it, if any, professional expectations related to it, and projections for the future, if any. Of what other aspects of this issue are you aware? What area of inquiry will you follow to find out more about the issue/trend?

   Assignment #4: OBSERVATION / INTERVIEW

   This assignment consists of two parts: (a) an unobtrusive observation at a library or information center, and (b) an interview with a practicing professional. You may complete both parts in a single visit if time permits, or you may conduct your observation and interview on separate occasions.

   A. Plan to visit a library or information agency near you or one about which you are curious. If you are already working in a library, plan a visit which will bring you into contact with a new situation and different people. Begin your observation with a brief tour of the entire facility. Your visit is to be one of observation only and you should plan on staying only about one hour. There is no need to make your presence or assignment known at this time, but you may, if it seems desirable. Write a report of your experience which includes some or all of the following list:

   1. Name of library/information agency, time and day of week.
   2. Identify the major service areas.
   3. Characterize the atmosphere or environment, its aesthetic appeal.
   4. Identify, if possible, the people observed (i.e., as professional, support staff, patron) and their activities. Observe staff-patron interactions.
   5. Identify public relations activities observed (handouts, bulletin boards, signage, etc.)
   6. Characterize the level of automation (type of catalog, bibliographic sources, patron access, etc.)
   7. Find materials on SPACE EXPLORATION (if applicable). Characterize what you find (quality, quantity). Comment on the ease or difficulty of your search. Did anyone help you? Did anyone offer to help you?
   8. Based on your observations, comment on what you saw concerning atmosphere, collection, staff, level of service. What impressed you most/least?

   B. Choose someone to interview who is currently employed as a professional in library/information studies, preferably someone who is in the early years of her/his career. Keep notes and, at the conclusion, write a summary and your reactions to the interview. Suggestions for questions include:

   Why did you choose librarianship?
   Why did you select your current service/agency/type?
   What was your job search like?
   What are your benefits, salary, hours?
   What are your job responsibilities?
   What is your relationship to the public/patrons?
   What contributions do you feel you are making to the community? to the profession?
   What do you like most/least about your current position?

   
   

   Spring 1996 Syllabus

   Bibliography

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