LIS 656 -- The Academic Library

This course is designed to expose the beginning student to the multiplicity of special problems and issues particular to the academic information environment. While various routine aspects of various academic library settings are covered, the emphasis thoughout is upon the nature of higher education; the academic environment and its responsiveness to societal change, and the academic library in particular as exemplar of certain types of problems that face all types of libraries. Discussion focuses upon the changing environment of the academic library, its historical mission, and its future role.

OBJECTIVES

By the end of the course, the student should be able to:
  1. Discuss the historical mission of academic libraries in the context of their host environment;
  2. Identify characteristics which distinguish academic libraries from other types of libraries, and institutionaland individual leaders in the academic library field;
  3. Articulate qualities of individual and institutional academic library leadership;
  4. Investigate and compare characteristics of particular academic library operations and innovations, andwhere applicable, make appropriate comparisons to similar operations in other types of libraries;
  5. Summarize the major concerns confronting academic library administrators, and those of the various typesof academic library personnel.

STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES

TEXTBOOK: Readings will be drawn from a variety of sources, all of which are available on reserve at Jackson. These readings are listed in your academic library workbook, available at Copy One copy service at the corner of Walker and Tate Street in Greensboro. As graduate students, it is expected that you will complete all assigned readings and be responsible for locating your own literature. Class participation (10%) is encouraged.

TERM PAPER: (45%) You will investigate an area of interest to you in academic librarianship. A paper, 15-20 pages in length, giving a brief review of the literature, summary of findings, identification of issues, and possible recommendations for the future (if applicable) will be due at the last class session. You will also give a brief oral presentation of your findings on April 17.

CRITIQUES: (20%) You will critique two articles from the literature of higher education (including disciplinary journals) and assess their possible implications on academic libraries. These will be due on FEBRUARY 14. There is no "fix" on length, but word-processed papers usually run 2 - 2 1/2 pages. Your comments should be evaluative rather than descriptive, and focused on analytical criticism of the issue rather than necessarily the author or the article.

TESTS: There will be a mid-term exam (25%). This should not require elaborate preparation if you keep up with your readings and attend class faithfully. It will emphasize your creativity.

Spring 1996 Syllabus

Bibliography

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