LIBR 275-10
Library Services for Racially and Ethnically Diverse Communities
Summer 2005

Jeff Paul
E-mail
408-808-2636

GREENSHEET

Textbooks | Requirements | Assignments | Grading

Class Location & Meeting Schedule

This class meets at San José State University from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on June 17, July 1, July 15 and July 29. (Class begins in SLIS MOD D 402 on June 17 and moves to King Library Room 525 afternoon of June 17 and remaining class meeting days.)

Course Description

This course focuses on developing skills for planning, implementing and evaluating programs for addressing the information needs of racially, ethnically, and linguistically diverse communities. Reviews of the major national, state and local studies will be included in readings and discussions.

Some of the topics that will be addressed include: the history of library services to persons of color in the United States, the identification and analysis of demographic information and trends, community service needs assessment, information needs of users and non-users, traditional and non-traditional library service programs, outreach, community presence and partnerships, cultural conflict in the delivery of library services, mentoring and recruitment, advocacy, technology trends and challenges, the evaluation of service programs and planning for the future.

Students are encouraged to develop their own specialized topics for investigation.

The question to be considered throughout the course: Are libraries effectively serving the information needs of the communities they serve?

Course Objectives

At the completion of the course, the student will be able to:

• Gain knowledge about the characteristics, problems, needs, interests and concerns of diverse groups;
• Develop methods for identifying appropriate resources and communication channels; and
• Design effective and responsive services.

This supports the following SLIS objectives
Teaching students the major theories, important principles, and current practice in the following areas:

• Information transfer;
• The principles and practices of management as specifically applied to information environments;
• Advocacy and leadership for citizen access to information and knowledge resources.

Textbooks

Please see the Outline & Reading List for more information. There is no required text. All required readings are available from the King Library Electronic Reserves Module or via electronic full text databases. Weekly readings are posted in the Class Documents section of Blackboard.

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Requirements

Course Format
This class incorporates a mix of lecture, discussion, guest speakers, films, readings, assignments, student presentations and discussions in-class and via the Blackboard electronic discussion board. This is a Web-assisted course. Blackboard will be used for supplemental course activities and reading discussions. Attendance at class sessions is essential.

Reasonable Accommodation of Disabilities
Students who need accommodation due to a disability must register with SJSU's Disability Resource Center (DRC) during the first three weeks of the semester. The Center will work with the students to determine the disability, document it, and determine the services and accommodations necessary for student success. Then, the DRC will contact the faculty member to determine the types of consideration necessary.

Students attending the Fullerton campus should first contact the Disability Resource Center in San José since they are SJSU students. The DRC will then direct the students to supporting resources on the Fullerton campus.

The DRC Web site: http://www.drc.sjsu.edu/

Academic Integrity
Read the SJSU Academic Integrity Policy
http://www2.sjsu.edu/senate/S04-12.pdf

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Assignments

See Assignments & Grading Sheet for additional details.

Class participation includes contributions to discussions, exercises and activities in class and on Blackboard site. Students must respect one another’s opinions in Discussion Board threads regarding library services and issues related to bias, diversity, ageism, racism, gender orientation, homelessness & privilege.

Assignments must be submitted in paper or electronically as e-mail attachments written using Microsoft Word.

Late assignments will not be accepted without prior notification and approval of the instructor and with the understanding that there may be a decrease in the number of points earned for the assignment.

Students are encouraged to use APA (5th edition) format for papers and assignments.

All assignments must be your own work with sources properly cited in papers.

San José State University codes and rules governing plagiarism are in effect.

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Grading

Everyone begins this course with a grade of “B”, the standard grade for graduate level work. If you complete the assignments on time and as required, you will maintain that “B” grade.

If you submit sub-standard work, you will receive a sub-standard grade (B- or below).

If you submit above standard work, you 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 or analysis of the subject matter
• Overall treatment of the assignment above and beyond what the assignment calls for
• Superior organizational, written, or communication skills in the presentation of the material.

Correct usage of academic English (or Spanish), spelling, grammar, and composition are expected. Points will be deducted for failure to do so.

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