LIBR 231
ISSUES IN SPECIAL LIBRARIES
Spring 2003

Sue Brewsaugh
(714) 896-2631
sue.brewsaugh@boeing.com

GREENSHEET

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

1. To introduce the student to the concept of special libraries/information centers and the variety of environments in which they are situated.

2. To introduce the student to the organizational/operational issues associated with special libraries/information centers and other related types of information services.

3. To introduce the student to the specific operation of one type of special library/information center through the fieldwork experience.

4. To introduce the student to the specific operation of one type of special library/information center through the fieldwork experience.

CLASS FORMAT:

We will meet in-person twice, once at the beginning of class and once at the end. At the first session, we will reach a common understanding of how a special library differs from other kinds of libraries and what constitutes a special library. Assignments will be reviewed and understood. At the final session, students will give their final presentations. Time permitting, a panel of special librarians will address students' questions.

RECOMMENDED TEXTS:

Matarazzo, James M. and Suzanne D. Connolly. Knowledge and Special Libraries (Resources for the Knowledge-Based Economy). Butterworth-Heinemann, 1999.

Mount, Ellis and Renee Massoud. Special Libraries and Information Centers: An Introductory Text. 4th ed. Washington DC: Special Libraries Association, 1999.

Portugal, Frank. Valuating Information Intangibles. Washington DC: Special Libraries Association, 2000.

GRADING:

You will choose your grade, based on the amount and quality of your work.

FINAL PRESENTATION

Prepare a 10 minute oral presentation based upon your observations during your fieldwork experience or your research for your paper. If you did fieldwork, you should be prepared to discuss your project in detail, the library/information center where you did your fieldwork, its organizational structure, its management style/structure, its clientele, and any other interesting features. If you did a research paper, be prepared to summarize its content. This assignment will be evaluated according to the following criteria:

* completeness of the analysis
* organizational ability
* presentation ability

PROJECT REVIEW (for Fieldwork)

Each student will be expected to complete a project at the fieldwork site. The student will negotiate the project content with the supervisor they are working with at the site as well as your instructor. Upon completion of the project, the student will prepare a written project review, including the following:

* purpose and scope of the project
* explanation of the approach to and design of the project, along with the rationale for the approach taken
* description of specific methods and techniques used and why
* discussion of any problems encountered and how they were handled
* summary of the results of the project and how the project will benefit the fieldwork site
* evaluation of what you learned/accomplished by doing the project

This assignment will be evaluated according to the following criteria:
* completeness of the review
* organizational ability
* your site supervisor's feedback

ISSUE PAPERS

Interview a special librarian. Discuss the major issues of our field. Write a 1-2 page double spaced paper describing the interview. Other related topics may be substituted. If another topic is selected, you must cite at least three sources per paper. Post them to Blackboard. These papers may be submitted to the local SLA newsletter for publication.

MISSION STATEMENT

For a particular type of library, of your choosing - either real or imaginary, prepare mission statements for both the organization served by the library and for the library/information center. Outline the goals and objectives of the organization and of the library/information center. After completing the mission statement, construct a resume that you would send when applying to this library for a job. (The resume will not be graded, but you might appreciate comments). The mission statement assignment will be evaluated according to the following criteria:

* how realistic a scenario you present
* appropriateness of mission statement to the type of organization serviced by the library
* appropriateness of the mission statement for the library/information center
* organizational ability
* writing ability

RESEARCH PAPER

Choose a topic that pertains to Special Libraries. You must get your instructor's approval of this topic. Your paper must be approximately 10 pages, double-spaced. Include your bibliography of sources.

PROFESSIONAL EVENT

Attend one professional event during the course of the semester. Your assignment is to introduce yourself to at least one stranger. Write a one page, double-spaced summary of the event. Post it to Blackboard.