LIBR 230-10
Issues in Academic Libraries
Spring 2003

Dr. Renee N. Jefferson
reneejefferson@tds.net

Course Links

Course Schedule

GREENSHEET

Course Description

This course will investigate current issues that impact the functioning of the academic library. Topics covered will include issues related to social and political environments, clientele, services, collections, physical settings, financing and staffing, and future trends in the academic library sector. Prerequisites: LIBR 200, 202, 204

Course Objectives

At the completion of the course, the student should be able to:

1. Understand the role of academic libraries in post-secondary institutions.

2. Examine critically concepts and issues related to academic libraries in post-secondary institutions.

3. Analyze and evaluate critically research related to academic librarianship.

4. Apply critical thinking and analytical methods to the solution of problems related to academic libraries.

The course supports the following School of Library and Information Science (SLIS) objectives:

1. The principles and practices of management as specifically applied to information environments

2. Requiring students to evaluate and utilize relevant research studies from a variety of disciplines in their coursework.

Course Materials

Information for the weekly readings will be posted in Blackboard. The textbook scheduled to be used with the course is currently being revised. Purchasing a copy of the textbook is optional.

Budd, John M. (1998). The Academic Library. Englewood, CO: Libraries Unlimited. . [You may order the textbook from Libraries Unlimited. The telephone number is 1-800-225-5800. The address for their web site is www.lu.com.]

Course Format

This is a web-based course. There are two MANDATORY class sessions: Friday, April 18th and Saturday, April 19th. We will use Blackboard for all course activities.

Blackboard
Stanley Laufer, the SLIS Network Administrator, has created a Blackboard Tutorials and Resources for SLIS Instructors and Students. It is located at http://witloof.sjsu.edu/blackboard/. Use the tutorial to learn how to set up your Blackboard account.

Requirements
You must have access to the following: Internet/World Wide Web, Microsoft Office (particularly Word and PowerPoint), and Adobe Reader 5+. (See the software download page for information on how to obtain these.)

You must be able to send and receive e-mail, including attachments. You will need to check your e-mail and Blackboard daily for announcements.

Office Hours

I will not set specific online hours. I will be available to answer questions Monday through Friday. You should have a response to your questions within 48 hours. You may also make an appointment to meet with me in the chat room that is available in Blackboard.

Assignments & Grades

There are six graded assignments for this course: 2 topic papers, the development and presentation of a case study, and several class exercises. The percentage each assignment contributes to your final grade is listed below, followed by a brief description. You will be required to complete all assignments for the course.

Assignments

Topic Paper I: The focus of this paper is a historical examination of an academic library issue. You will be required to review the academic library literature prior to 1985, select an issue, and write a 7-10 page paper. This is an individual assignment.

Case Study: The focus of the case study is an in-depth examination of an academic library. You will be required to select an academic library and provide a detailed analysis of the organization. This may be an individual or group assignment.

Exercises: The exercises are designed to assist you in comprehending and applying the concepts presented in the textbook. The focus will be the design and development of the case study assignment. They will consist of individual and group activities.

Topic Paper II: The focus of this paper is a contemporary examination of an academic library issue. You will be required to review the academic library literature after 1985, select an issue, and write a 10-15 page paper. This is an individual assignment.

Instructions for each assignment are posted under the Assignments section of Blackboard. Assignments MUST be submitted on their specified due dates. Any assignment turned in after the due date, without the permission of the instructor, will have its total score reduced by 10%. [Note: You must have permission from the instructor to submit your assignment late PRIOR to the due date.] Any assignment turned in more than one week after the deadline will not be accepted for grading, and a failing grade will be recorded; that is, unless a student has received an extension from the instructor. This is only fair to students who have worked to get their assignments in on time.

Correct usage of academic English, spelling, grammar, and composition are expected. Note: You are encouraged to use spell check, grammar check, etc. Points will be deducted for failure to use academic English, correct spelling, grammar, and composition.

All assignments must be your own work. Sources must be properly cited in papers. The San Jose State University codes and rules governing plagiarism are in effect. Please refer to the following sites for specific information.

"Academic Dishonesty Procedures", SJSU Class Schedule
http://info.sjsu.edu/web-dbgen/narr/soc-spring/soc-spring-273.html

University Policy F88-10: http://www.sjsu.edu/senate/f88-10.htm
S98-1 (amends F88-10): http://www.sjsu.edu/senate/s98-1.htm
S02-4 (amends S98-1): http://www.sjsu.edu/senate/S02-4.htm

All graded assignments will be marked using one of the following letter grades.

It is the responsibility of the student to maintain a copy of all graded and returned materials for use as evidence in any question that might arise regarding the final grade in the course.

Incompletes
Incompletes will be assigned ONLY in cases of medical or family emergency. Medical or other proof will be required.