LIBR 232-10
Issues in Public Libraries
Fall 2006 Greensheet
Dr. Penny Grant
E-mail
Office Hours: Online Mondays and Thursdays, 7pm-9pm PST
| Greensheet Links Required Text Course Requirements |
Resources Blackboard Blackboard Tutorials |
Students who have enrolled will be given access to the Blackboard site by the instructor by August 16, 2006. Online classes start on August 23, 2006.
Course Description
This course will investigate current issues that impact the functioning of the public 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 public library sector.
Course Prerequisites: LIBR 200, 202, 204
Student Learning Objectives
At the end of this course students should be able to:
- describe at least ten issues impacting public libraries
- describe how at least one public library is dealing with these issues
- explain the difference between modern positivist and postmodern non-positivist philosophical perspectives about these issues
- develop options for dealing with at least one of these issues and identify related opportunities and risks
- communicate effectively about these issues to library stakeholders in a real life situation
LIBR 232 supports the following SLIS Core Competencies:
- articulate the ethics, values and foundational principles of library and information professionals and their role in the promotion of intellectual freedom;
- recognize the social, cultural and economic dimensions of information use;
- use service concepts, principles and techniques that facilitate information access, relevance, and accuracy for individuals or groups of users.
In addition, this section supports the following SLIS Core Competencies:
- compare the environments and organizational settings in which library and information professionals practice;
- apply the fundamental principles of planning, management and marketing/advocacy;
- 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;
- contribute to the cultural, economic, educational and social well-being of our communities.
Required Text
There is no textbook. Instead, the instructor will post weekly readings on Blackboard.
Course Requirements
LIBR 232 10 is an online course. Students who have enrolled will be given access to the Blackboard site by the instructor by August 16, 2006. Online classes start on August 23, 2006.
Weekly Readings:
- Students will read and analyze weekly Letters from the Field. The letters are the instructor’s reflections on various public library issues. Each letter is approximately 5000 words long.
- Student will also read and analyze other related materials as required each week by the instructor.
- All readings will be available online.
Weekly Assignments:
- Fieldwork: Students will contact and talk regularly to a working public librarian about some of the issues which will be raised each week. Conversations can be in person or electronic.
- Online Discussion: Students will participate in asynchronous online discussions, Share Ideas, about the issues raised each week. Two thoughtful contributions will be required each week.
- Personal Learning Journal: Students will keep a private journal in which they will reflect on the weekly Letters from the Field, related readings, discussion with their public librarian, and online group discussion.
- THE 4/T QUEST: There will also be weekly, optional, just-for-fun activities for those who wish to participate.
Essays: Every fifth week, students will submit an essay summarizing their Personal Learning Journal reflections during the previous four weeks. There will be a total of three essays. No other work required during the weeks essays are due.
Final Assignment
Students will submit a final paper based on a case study demonstrating that they:
- have a good understanding of at least one major issue in public libraries
- are able to identify defensible ways of dealing with related problems - including the opportunities and risks of at least two options
- are able to communicate effectively about the problem and recommended solutions to library stakeholders.
Tentative Course Calendar
| Week 1 | Aug 23 - Aug 29 | Topic: Introduction |
| Week 2 | Aug 30 - Sept 5 | Topic: Different perspectives on public library issues |
| Week 3 | Sept 6 - Sept 12 | Topic: Approaches to Library Research |
| Week 4 | Sept 13 - Sept 19 | Topic: Public libraries and the problem of purpose |
| Week 5 | Sept 26 | Deadline for First Journal Essay |
| Week 6 | Sept 27 - Oct 3 | Topic: Public library governance |
| Week 7 | Oct 4 - Oct 10 | Topic: Communities and customers |
| Week 8 | Oct 11 - Oct 17 | Topic: Reference and customer services |
| Week 9 | Oct 18 - Oct 24 | Topic: Collection |
| Week 10 | Oct 31 | Deadline for Second Journal Essay |
| Week 11 | Nov 1 - Nov 7 | Topic: Planning |
| Week 12 | Nov 8 - Nov 14 | Topic: Funding and facilities |
| Week 13 | Nov 15 - Nov 21 | Topic: Staffing and staff relationships |
| Week 14 | Nov 22 - Nov 28 | Topic: Stories, statistics and reports |
| Week 15 | Dec 6 | Deadline for Third Journal Essay |
| Week 16 | Dec 13 | Deadline for Final assignment based on case study |
Grading
Assessment Activities for LIBR 232-10 will be weighted as follows:
| Activity | Percent |
| Asynchronous Discussion | 30% |
| First Essay | 15% |
| Second Essay | 15% |
| Third Essay | 15% |
| Final Paper | 25% |
Asynchronous discussion: Student’s contributions will be evaluated on quality of ideas, level of contribution to meaningful dialogue, and relevance to the issues being discussed. Contributions may be written in an informal conversational style. Incorrect spelling, grammar and typos will not be penalized providing the meaning is clear.
Essays: Essays will be evaluated on how well they demonstrate critical, reflective, innovative thinking about the work to date, quality of ideas, connections observed between various issues, and clarity of expression. Essays must follow a coherent outline and may be written in an informal conversational style. Use of conventions of correct spelling, grammar and typing is required.
Final Paper: The final paper will be evaluated on how well the student is able to apply the ideas raised during the course to a real life situation, quality of ideas, presentation of innovative solutions, and clarity of expression. This paper must provide evidence that the student has developed an understanding of a major issue that is appropriate to a beginning public librarian. The paper must follow APA style guidelines. Examples of appropriate communications to library stakeholders will also be required.
Late or Missing Assignements
Penalty (if any) for late or missed work:
- Late work will lose 10% per day overdue
- Missed work will receive no marks
- Please do not exceed word limit on Assignments. Keep your writing succinct.
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+ |
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/
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 are required to report all infractions to the Office of Judicial Affairs. The policy on academic integrity can be found at http://www.sjsu.edu/senate/F06-1.pdf
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Phone: 408-924-2490
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