Home – Courses – Program Specializations – Web Design & Technology

Web Design and Technology:
Facilitating Communication between User and Content

The MLIS program requires an introductory technology course (LIBR 203); three core courses (LIBR 200, LIBR 202, LIBR 204); one additional required course (LIBR 285); and the culminating electronic portfolio OR a thesis (LIBR 289 or LIBR 299) for graduation. Beyond these requirements, a student is free to select electives reflecting individual interests and aspirations.

Program specializations are thus provided here solely for advising purposes. No such designation appears on your transcript or diploma. Many students find these introductions to different program areas useful, however, for course selection and career planning.

Description

This specialization concentrates on the theories and supporting techniques related to the practice and design of information systems. These include:

Design and development of user-centered information systems in a variety of information environments
User interactions with information structures
User interactions with other users
Web applications
Web site design and content creation
Web based programming languages

Students in this track will develop skills and expertise to improve the user's experience when interacting with Web-based systems. Work in information systems and design requires more than just the acquisition of a practical skill set. It is the ability to tailor technology to various information communities. It also requires knowledge of the information needs and information-seeking behaviors of the audience as prerequisites to building any information resource.

Employment Opportunities

Opportunities exist in all types of libraries as well as information agencies, automated library system vendors, and Web design companies. Sometimes the whole job will focus on technology; sometimes part of the job will consist of designing, building, and maintaining Web content. Students who concentrate in this specialization may work as:

automated systems librarians
database coordinators
database developers
information architects
project managers
reference tool developers
systems analysts
technology coordinators and trainers
usability testers
Web 2.0 developers
Web content managers
Web designers
Web project managers

Core Theory and Knowledge

Ability to analyze and determine library computing requirements, develop new means of delivering service, coordinate and implement new electronic services, and support ongoing services
Communicate ideas to peers as well as clientele without the overuse of technical jargon
Identify specific needs for technologies in information search and management
Match needs in specific situations with the functions and applications of emerging technologies
Understand computing fundamentals (data structures, operating systems, usability issues, Web site design and creation, Web programming/scripting languages, Web 2.0 tools)

Recommended Coursework

Required Courses:

Note: For this specialization, LIBR 202 is the most important course. If you are not comfortable with the material and format of LIBR 202, then this is not the specialization for you.

Foundation Courses:

Recommended Courses:

Select from the following. Be sure to include some non–technology classes.

Top of Page

Programs

Courses

Web Design and Technology:Facilitating Communication between User and Content

Description

Employment Opportunities

Core Theory and Knowledge

Recommended Coursework

Web Design and Technology:
Facilitating Communication between User and Content