LIBR 231-01
Issues in Special Libraries and Information Centers
Spring 2007 Greensheet
Becky Barber
E-mail
Phone (Cell): (408)799-8608
Office Hours: By appointment
| Greensheet Links Textbooks and Readings Course Requirements |
Resources Blackboard Blackboard Tutorials SLIS e-Bookstore |
Students will be able to self-enroll in the course on Blackboard January 27-31. You will need an access code which will be sent to all registered students through MySJSU.
Course Description
This course will investigate the range and role of Special Libraries and the management issues that impact the functioning of special libraries/information centers. Topics covered will include issues related to clientele, services, collections, physical settings, financing, staffing, marketing and future trends in the special library/information center. In addition, students will research a company/organization of interest and design a library/information center to fit its needs.
Course Prerequisites: LIBR 200, 202, 204
Course Objectives
Student Learning Outcomes
- To introduce the student to the concept of special libraries/information centers and the wide 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
LIBR 231 supports the following SLIS Core Competencies:
- Compare the environments and organizational settings in which library and information professionals practice;
- Recognize the social, cultural and economic dimensions of information use.
In addition, this section supports the following SLIS Core Competencies:
- Apply the fundamental principles of planning, management and marketing/advocacy.
- Use the basic concepts and principles related to the creation, evaluation, selection, acquisition, preservation and organization of specific items or collections of information.
- Demonstrate proficiency in the use of current information and communication technologies, and other related technologies, as they affect the resources and uses of libraries and other types of information providing entities.
- Use service concepts, principles and techniques that facilitate information access, relevance, and accuracy for individuals or groups of users.
- Understand the nature of research, research methods and research findings; retrieve, evaluate and synthesize scholarly and professional literature for informed decision-making by specific client groups.
- Demonstrate oral and written communication skills necessary for group work, collaborations and professional level presentations.
- Evaluate programs and services on specified criteria.
Textbooks and Readings
Required Textbooks
There are no required textbooks; each student will create a personal reader from assigned readings, research based on personal interest and research shared by classmates.
Course Requirements
Assignments
| 60% | Personal Log (maintained throughout the semester) containing:
|
| 30% | Final research report/presentation |
| 10% | Attendance/participation (includes five SJSU sessions and two professional meetings) |
Course Calendar
Note: Schedule is subject to change.
| Date | Location | Topics | Due before the following class |
| Jan 25 | SJSU CL318 7-9:45pm |
Introductions; Overview | follow-up intros (board) |
| Feb 1 | virtual | History of Special Libraries | Dana article write-ups (board) |
| Feb 8 | virtual | Professional Associations | 5+2 write-ups (log/board) |
| Feb 15 | virtual | Virtual Tours from list | 5+ write-ups (log/board) |
| Feb 22 | SJSU CL318 7-9:45pm |
Virtual Tours from surfing Dialog |
5+ write-ups (log/board) 2+ readings (log/board) |
| Mar 1 | virtual | Management Planning, Needs Assessment |
2+ readings (log/board) |
| Mar 8 | virtual | Management Budgeting, Staffing |
2+ readings (log/board) |
| Mar 15 | virtual | Management Collections: Development, Organization & Access |
2+ readings (log/board) project status for next week |
| Mar 22 | SJSU CL318 7-9:45pm |
Management Services: Reference, Research status check on projects |
2+ readings (log/board) |
| Mar 29 | spring break | Recreation | "Buffy" & "Firefly" marathon |
| Apr 5 | virtual | Management Services: Training, CI, KM Marketing | readings (log/board) project status for next week |
| Apr 12 | SJSU CL318 7-9:45pm |
Facilities & Special Projects: Space Planning, Moving, IT & Disaster Recovery status check on projects |
readings (log/board) |
| Apr 19 | virtual | Vendors, Contracts | readings (log/board) |
| Apr 26 | virtual | Records Management & Archives | readings (log/board) wrap-up your personal log create 1-page “takeaway” |
| May 3 | SJSU CL318 7-9:45pm |
Presentations/Discussion | person logs due |
| May 10 | SJSU CL318 7-9:45pm |
Presentations/Discussion |
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
Late assignments must be submitted and will get half credit.
These are the same standards that will be applied in other classes 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 online component.
Grading Scale
The standard SJSU SLIS Grading Scale is utilized for all SLIS courses:
| 97-100 | A |
| 94-96 | A- |
| 91-93 | B+ |
| 88-90 | B |
| 85-87 | B- |
| 82-84 | C+ |
| 79-81 | C |
| 76-78 | C- |
| 73-75 | D+ |
| 70-72 | D |
| 67-69 | D- |
| Below 67 | F |
Academic Integrity
Your own commitment to learning, as evidenced by your enrollment at San José State University, and the University's Academic Integrity Policy requires you to be honest in all your academic course work. Faculty members are required to report all infractions to the Office of Student Conduct and Ethical Development. The policy on academic integrity can be found at http://sa.sjsu.edu/student_conduct.
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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