Department of Library and Information Studies

LIS 691 - Practicum in Library and Information Studies

COURSE PRESPECTUS

Prerequisites/Corequisites:
  1. Completion of all LIS core course requirements:
    • LIS 620
    • LIS 600
    • LIS 615
    • LIS 640
    • LIS 650
  2. Completion of one (1) type of library course:
    • LIS 653
    • LIS 655
    • LIS 656
    • LIS 657

Permission to take LIS 691 without completion of prerequisites must be obtained from supervising faculty and supervising librarian.

Required Text(s):

None.

Description:

Supervised field or laboratory experiences in library/media center/information agency settings, with seminars. The practicum course serves as an elective for those students desiring more field or laboratory experiences in library settings. (3-6 s.h.) Note: As per Graduate School policy, only 3 hrs. of practicum credit may count toward the Master's Degree in Library and Information Studies.

Student Learning Outcomes:

To provide opportunities for students to:

  • Gain experience in actual library/information agency situations.
  • Identify their areas of strength and areas for continuing improvement.
  • Develop professional attitudes and effective interpersonal relationships in the work environment.

Guidelines for Developing Goals/Objectives:

  1. Goals/objectives should be developed for professional tasks or responsibilities. While much of the activity in a library may be at the support staff level, this experience will be most valuable in your professional development if you concentrate your efforts on professional tasks.
  2. Use your previous library experience, LIS course work, scan job advertisements to uncover gaps in your experience and course work that can be filled during a practicum, and schedule conferences with your advisor or practicum coordinator as needed for ideas for setting objectives. Once identified, they should be discussed with the supervising librarian. She/he may have additional suggestions, revisions, or deletions to discuss.
  3. Use one copy of the Objective Planning Form for each goal/objective. Total hours completed should equal a minimum of 90. It is recommended that you select between 3-5 goals and/or objectives for each experience ... use this as a guide only, you may have more or fewer learning opportunities.
  4. As you are planning your goals/objectives, think about opportunities for your faculty supervisor to either contact you or meet with you at the work site. Discuss these options with your supervising librarian.
  5. When advisable and possible, it is recommended to plan visits to other library/information center sites, including exemplary or successful programs, and other types of libraries. These visits will allow you broader opportunities to observe and discuss with other professionals.
  6. In the final analytical paper on your field experience, each goal or objective should be summarized along with an evaluation and analysis/discussion of progress made or achievement. Any problems or barriers should be included in the discussion.

Practicum Responsibilities:

The student will:
  1. Work with the LIS faculty supervisor in designing and developing a field experience program appropriate to the individual's needs.
  2. Develop specific goals and/or objectives for the practicum experience.
  3. Follow the program and schedule that are developed to meet the goals/objectives.
  4. Maintain regular communications with the faculty supervisor and the supervising librarian.
  5. Keep a log of practicum experiences to include entries for all time periods worked.
  6. Attend any planned seminars concerned with orientation, analysis, and evaluation of the practicum experience.
  7. Complete evaluation of the practicum experience.
  8. Be aware of and adhere to University and Departmental policies regarding practicum experiences.
    9. The Supervising Librarian will:
  9. Work with the faculty supervisor in developing a program and schedule for the individual Student.
  10. Orient the student to the general functions and goals of the library and policies and procedures that govern the program and its employees.
  11. Oricn, the student to the characteristics of to community and its users.
  12. Orient the student to the profession and provide opportunities for participation in professional activities and personal professional development
  13. Provide the student with adequate space to work and store personal items.
  14. Develop an overall plan to direct and guide the activities of the student with relationship to the library program and the student's goals/objectives.
  15. Confer with the student and the faciflty supervisor.
  16. Participate in the evaluation of the student's performance and achievement of learning goals/objectives.
    17. The LIS Faculty Supervisor will:
  17. Act as a liaison in acquainting the supervising librarian and other personnel with the nature and purpose of the practicum experience.
  18. Work with the student in designing a practicum experience appropriate to the student's needs.
  19. Assist in selecting the practicum site for the experience.
  20. Communicate schedules for seminars and/or additional experiences as necessary.
  21. Communicate to the student and the supervising librarian the expectations of the practicum experience.
  22. Communicate with practicum sites and visit with the student /supervising librarian.
  23. Promote a satisfactory working relationship among the student, the practicum site, and the LIS program.
  24. Discuss evaluation of the practicum with the student and the supervising librarian.

Department of Library and Information Studies
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro
349 Curry Building, PO Box 26170
Greensboro, NC 27402-6170
VOICE 336.334.3477
FAX 336.334.5060
EMAIL cpfelts@uncg.edu