LIBR 231-01
Issues in Special Libraries and Information Centers
Spring 2006 Greensheet
Becky Barber
E-mail
Office Hours: By appointment
| Resources Blackboard Blackboard Tutorials |
Students will be able to self-enroll in the Blackboard course site between January 22-31. You will need an access code which will be sent to all registered students on January 23, 2006 via MySJSU.
Course Description
This course will investigate the role of Special Libraries and the issues that impact the functioning of special libraries/information centers. Topics covered will include issues related to clientele, services, collections, physical settings, financing and staffing and future trends in the special library/information center sector.
In addition, students will research a company/organization of interest and design a library/information center to fit its needs.
Objectives of the Course
The objectives of the course are:
- To introduce the student to the concept of special libraries/information centers and the variety of environments in which they are situated
- To introduce the student to the organizational/operational issues associated with special libraries/information centers and other related types of information services
- To allow the student to meet local special librarians for networking and informational interviewing
- To allow the student to design a special library/information center and provide experience in writing a proposal/presentation based on his/her research
This course supports the following objectives from the School's Teaching goal:
Upon completion of the program the student will know and be able to identify the major theories and important principles as well as to demonstrate current practice in:
- Information management, including the selection, organization, storage, retrieval, dissemination and utilization of information resources
- The principles and practices of management as specifically applied to information environments
- The foundation of information services
This course supports the following objective from the School's Research goal:
Providing students the opportunity to evaluate and utilize relevant research studies from a variety of disciplines in their course work
Course Requirements
Grading
Each student starts the class with a grade of "B," the standard grade for graduate level work. If you do the assignments as outlined on the assignment sheet, you will maintain that "B." Sub-standard work will receive a sub-standard grade (B- or below). Above standard work will receive an above-standard grade (B+ or better); above-standard work is defined as work that clearly displays one or more of the following criteria:
- originality in the approach to the assignment
- greater depth of analysis than the written analysis requires
- overall treatment above and beyond what the written assignment requires
- superior organizational and/or written skills in the presentation of the material
Standard work includes:
- all assignments are submitted on time
- all work is word processed and double-spaced
- all work is professionally written (spelling & grammar count)
- all cited work includes a full APA citation
These are the same standards that will be applied to you in your culminating experience and in the workplace, so please take this opportunity to practice your research, interpersonal. organizational and writing skills.
Finally, the active involvement of all students enrolled is vital to the success of the class. It is expected that all students will be at every campus session; in addition, participation in at least two professional events is required, plus weekly participation in our virtual Blackboard home.
Assignments
The assignments for this course are:
| Assignments | % of Final Grade |
Log (maintained throughout the semester) containing:
|
60% |
| Final research report/presentation | 30% |
| Attendance/participation (includes five SJSU sessions and two professional meetings) | 10% |
Academic Integrity
Read the SJSU Academic Integrity Policy
http://www2.sjsu.edu/senate/S04-12.pdf
Reasonable Accommodation of Disabilities
If you need course adaptations or accommodations because of a disability,
please e-mail me as soon as possible. Presidential Directive 97-03 requires
that students with disabilities register with the Disability Resource Center
(DRC) to establish record of their disability.
No matter where students reside, they should contact the SJSU DRC to register. The DRC Web site: http://www.drc.sjsu.edu/
School of Library & Information Science
One Washington Square - San José, California USA, 95192-0029
Phone: 408-924-2490
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