LIBR 232-10
Issues in Public Libraries
Fall 2007 Greensheet
Dr. Penny Grant
E-mail
E-mail Office Hours: Mondays and Thursday, 7pm-9pm PST
| Greensheet Links Textbooks and Readings Course Requirements |
Resources Blackboard Blackboard Tutorials SLIS eBookstore |
This course will be available in Blackboard. The access code for the Blackboard site will be sent via the MySJSU messaging system to those enrolled in the class on the 19th August. The Blackboard site will also open for self-enrollment on the 20th August.
Course Description
This course will investigate current issues that impact on the functioning of public libraries. Topics covered will include issues related to social and political environments, clientele, services, collections, physical settings, finance, staff, and future trends in the public library sector. Different philosophical perspectives will be discussed.
Course Prerequisites: LIBR 200, 202, 204
Course Objectives
Student Learning Objectives
At the end of this course students should be able to:
- Describe at least ten public library issues.
- Describe how at least one public library is dealing with 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.
- Explain the difference between positivist and non-positivist philosophical perspectives about public library issues.
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:
- 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.
Textbooks and Readings
Required Text
There is no textbook. Instead, the instructor will post weekly readings on Blackboard.
Course Requirements
Weekly Readings
The weekly readings for this course are as follows:
- Students will read 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 other Readings as recommended each week by the instructor.
- All readings will be available online.
Assignments
- 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. Discussion can be in person or through email.
- Private Journaling: 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.
- Discussion Board: Students will participate in an asynchronous online discussion about the issues raised each week. At least two thoughtful contributions will be required each week.
- QUEST: Each week students will undertake an minor online search and/or participate in a Web 2.0 (social networking) activity related to public libraries.
- Three Essays: Approximately very fifth week, students will submit an essay summarizing their journal reflections from the previous weeks. No other work will be required during an essay week.
- Final Paper: 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,
- They are able to identify defensible ways of dealing with related problems,
- They are able to communicate effectively about the problem and recommended solution to library stakeholders.
Tentative Course Calendar
August 23: First day of class.
| Week 1 | August 27 to September 2 | Topic: Introduction and get acquainted |
| Week 2 | September 3 to September 9 | Topic: Different perspectives on public library issues |
| Week 3 | September 10 to September 16 | Topic: Approaches to library research |
| Week 4 | September 17 to September 23 | Topic: Public libraries and the problem of purpose |
| Week 5 | September 24 to September 30 | Deadline for First Essay: Evening of Sunday September 30 |
| Week 6 | October 1 to October 7 | Topic: Public library governance |
| Week 7 | October 8 to October 14 | Topic: Communities and customers |
| Week 8 | October 15 to October 21 | Topic: Reference and customer services |
| Week 9 | October 22 to October 28 | Topic: Collection |
| Week 10 | October 29 to November 4 | Deadline for Second Essay: Evening of Sunday November 4 |
| Week 11 | November 5 to November 11 | Topic: Planning |
| Week 12 | November 12 to November 18 | Topic: Funding and facilities |
| Week 13 | November 19 to November 25 | Topic: Staffing and staff relationships |
| Week 14 | November 26 to December 2 | Deadline for Third Essay: Evening of Sunday December 2 |
| Week 15 | December 3 to December 9 | Topic: Stories, statistics and reports |
| Week 16 | December 10 to December 16 | Deadline for Final paper: Evening of Sunday December 16 |
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 |
In order to provide consistent guidelines for assessment for graduate level work in the School, these terms are applied to letter grades:
- C represents Adequate work; a grade of "C" counts for credit for the course;
- B represents Good work; a grade of "B" clearly meets the standards for graduate level work;
- A represents Exceptional work; a grade of "A" will be assigned for outstanding work only.
Students are advised that it is their responsibility to maintain a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.0.
Students who complete all the assignments to the level expected in a Masters Program will achieve a B+. Students who demonstrate excellence will receive an A- or A.
Course components will be graded as follows:
| Activity | Percent |
| Discussion Board | 24% |
| Quest | 6% |
| First Essay | 15% |
| Second Essay | 15% |
| Third Essay | 15% |
| Final Paper | 25% |
Grading Criteria
- Discussion Board: Student contributions to will be evaluated on quality of ideas, level of contribution to meaningful dialogue, and relevance to the issues being discussed. There should be a clear indication that fieldwork has been completed. Contributions may be written in an informal conversational style. Incorrect spelling, grammar and typos will not be penalized providing the meaning is clear.
- Quest: Student contributions will be evaluated on how well the student completed the search and the quality of their insights. Contributions may be written in an informal conversational style. Correct spelling, grammar and typing are required.
- Essays: Essays will be evaluated on how well students demonstrate critical, reflective, innovative thinking about the work to date. Essays must follow a coherent outline and may be written in an informal conversational style. Correct spelling, grammar and typing are 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 case study situation. Assessment will be based on quality of ideas and insights, presentation of innovative solutions, and clarity of expression. This paper must indicate that the student has developed an understanding of a major issue at a level that is appropriate to a beginning public librarian. The paper will must be written in APA style. Examples of appropriate communications to library stakeholders will also be required.
Late or Missed Work
Work will not be accepted after the due date.
Missed work will receive no marks.
Please do not exceed word limit on Assignments. Keep your writing succinct.
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 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://www.sjsu.edu/senate/S07-2.htm.
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