LIBR
560: Foundations of Information Based Organizations – COURSE
SYLLABUS
Program :
Master of Library & Information Studies
Year: 2005-2006 Winter
Session, Term 1
Course Schedule: Sept. – Dec.
2005 – Web-based course with seven class required meetings
on Sept. 12, Sept. 19, Oct. 3, Oct.
17, Oct. 31, Nov. 14, Nov.
28. ; required field trips on Sept. 14, Sept. 21, Sept. 28 and Oct.
5.
Location: FNS 40
Instructor: Richard
Hopkins
Office location: TEF
318
Office phone: 604-822-3184
Office hours: Monday,
1pm until 5pm; Thursday, 1pm-5pm
E-mail address: rhopkins@interchange.ubc.ca
Course Goal:
The goal of this course is to introduce students to the
wide range of concepts and issues that will lead to a better
understanding of the relationship between contemporary
society and the information professions.
Course Objectives:
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
- understand the historical
context of contemporary libraries and appreciate how
historical developments have led to contemporary policies
and practices
- think critically about current
issues and problems pertaining to all types of libraries
and information agencies in contemporary society
- explain the similarities
and differences between public, school, academic and
special libraries
- explain the role or purpose
of public, school, academic and special libraries in
contemporary society
- clearly understand the essential
role played by libraries in providing access to information
in a democratic society
- explain the characteristics
of freelance or entrepreneurial librarianship and its
place in society
- list and describe the major
structural components of libraries and information
agencies, including selection, acquisition, cataloguing,
circulation, reference and information services, user
education, resource sharing, systems design and analysis,
and management
- explain the differences between
different levels of library staffing, including clerical
staff, library assistants, library technicians, professional
librarians, and subject and other specialists
- appreciate the fact that
each level of staffing plays an important role in the
overall success of the library
- understand different types
of library users and know how to utilize different
analytical tools such as user study techniques and
community analysis in order to understand different
library user needs
- understand the characteristics
of a profession and how these characteristics apply
to the library and information profession
- understand and appreciate
the role that library and information associations
play in the development and maintenance of strong information
professions
- discuss and debate contentious
issues in the library and information professions such
as ethical issues, gender issues, issues of race and
ethnicity, issues of disability,etc.
- understand the fundamental
importance of intellectual freedom to the library profession
and how to deal with selected intellectual freedom
challenges
- understand the basic principles
of Canadian copyright law and how the libraries comply
with copyright provisions
Overview of Course Topics:
MODULE #1 – INTRODUCTION TO LIBRARIES AND INFORMATION AGENGIES
This module introduces students to the various types of information agencies that exist in our society: archives, public libraries, school libraries, academic libraries, and special libraries:
- Topic – Introduction
to the literature of librarianship
- Topic – Differences
between libraries and archives
- Topic – Similarities
and differences between types of libraries
- Topic – The processes
that occur in libraries
- Topic – Levels of staffing
in libraries
- Topic – Brief historical
introduction to libraries – notable librarians,
notable libraries
- Topic – Change as a
dominant metaphor in today’s information
agencies
MODULE #2 – PUBLIC LIBRARIES
This module introduces students to the characteristics and functions of public libraries as social institutions:
- Topic – Brief history
of public libraries
- Topic – Role and function
of public libraries today
- Topic – Diverse types
of public libraries
- Topic – Current trends
including access issues, community analysis,
user education, and intellectual freedom
MODULE #3 – SCHOOL LIBRARIES
This module introduces students to the characteristics and functions of school libraries as a vital part of the public education system:
- Topic – Brief history
of school libraries
- Topic – Role and function
of school libraries
- Topic – Elementary
vs. secondary school libraries
- Topic – Current trends
including funding issues and cutbacks
MODULE #4 – ACADEMIC LIBRARIES
This module introduces students to the characteristics and functions of college and university libraries in the context of higher education:
- Topic – Brief history
of academic libraries
- Topic – Role and function
of academic libraries
- Topic – College vs.
university libraries
- Topic – Current trends
including copyright issues, digitization
MODULE #5 – SPECIAL LIBRARIES
This module introduces students to special libraries (for-profit, non-profit and governmental) as well as to national libraries, research libraries and freelance librarianship:
- Topic – Brief history
of special libraries
- Topic – Role and function
of special libraries
- Topic – Types of special
libraries – for profit, not for profit,
government,
- Topic – National libraries
and non-academic research libraries
- Topic – Freelance/Entrepreneurial/Non-traditional
librarianship
- Topic – Current issues
in special librarianship including knowledge
management
MODULE #6 – THE LIBRARY AND INFORMATION
PROFESSIONS
This module introduces students to some of the ideas and concepts involved in what it means to work as a professional librarian:
- Topic – Characteristics
of a profession
- Topic – Characteristics
of the library profession
- Topic – Brief history
of the library profession
- Topic – Library education,
accreditation and certification
- Topic – Library associations
and ethical codes
- Topic – Current trends
in the information professions
Format for the Course: This
course is a mixed mode web-based course. Much of the lecture
material and directions for the course are contained online
in the seven modules of the course. This online material
is supplemented by six face-to-face meetings where students
will hear guest lecturers and will participate in class
discussions. The web material is also supplemented by five
visits to libraries in the Greater Vancouver area.
Required Reading:
The textbook for the course is Fourie, Denise and Dowell,
David, Libraries in the Information Age, Greenwood
Village, Colo., Libraries Unlimited, 2002, available for
purchase at the University bookstore, or used copies may
be available from students who took the course in the September
term. Students are also required to purchase a Custom Course
Package (CCP) from the University bookstore. Readings in
the CCP supplement those in the textbook. Students will
also be assigned readings that are electronically accessible
and are free of charge from the University library. These
readings will be assigned on a regular basis. The readings
will form the basis for the final course reading examination.
Course Assignments, Due dates and Weight
in relation to final course mark:
Online discussions |
Throughout the term |
10% |
Famous library or librarian |
Due Friday, Sept. 16 |
10% |
Public library writeup |
Due Friday, Sept. 23 |
10% |
School library writeup |
Due Friday, Sept. 30 |
10% |
Academic library writeup |
Due Friday, Oct. 7 |
10% |
Special libraries writeup |
Due Friday, Oct. 14 |
10% |
Library policy memo |
Due Friday, Oct. 21 |
10% |
Library specializations assignment |
Due Friday, Dec. 4 |
12% |
Final examination – open book |
Due Monday, Dec. 14 |
18% |
Course Schedule [week-by-week]:
Week 1 Sept. 6-11 |
Introduction to the course/Module #1
|
|
UBC Library virtual tour |
Week 2 Sept. 12-18 |
Module #1 |
-Class meeting -Introduction to the course |
Public library tour |
Week 3 Sept. 19-25 |
Module #1 |
-Class meeting -Guest lecture on archives |
School library tour |
Week 4 Sept. 26-Oct.2 |
Module #1 |
|
College library tour |
Week 5 Oct. 3-9 |
Module #2 |
-Class meeting -Guest lecture on intellectual freedom |
Special library tours |
Week 6 Oct. 10-16 |
Module #2/Module #3 |
|
|
Week 7 Oct. 17-23 |
Module #3 |
Class meeting – Guest lecture -Plight of school libraries |
|
Week 8 Oct. 24-30 |
Module #4 |
|
|
Week 9 Oct. 31 - Nov. 6 |
Module #4/Module #5 |
-Class meeting -Guest lecture - Copyright |
|
Week 10 Nov. 7-13 |
Module # 5 |
|
|
Week 11 Nov. 14-20 |
Module #6 |
Class meeting Guest lecture – Entrepreneurial librarianship |
|
Week 12 Nov. 21-27 |
Module #6 |
|
|
Week 13 Nov. 28-Dec. 4 |
Module #6/Course evaluation |
Class meeting Guest lecture – The impact of war on libraries |
|
Week 14 Dec. 5-11 |
FINAL EXAM |
FINAL EXAM |
FINAL EXAM |
Attendance:
The calendar states: “Regular attendance is expected
of students in all their classes (including lectures, laboratories,
tutorials, seminars, etc.). Students who neglect their
academic work and assignments may be excluded from the
final examinations. Students who are unavoidably absent
because of illness or disability should report to their
instructors on return to classes.”
Evaluation: There will
seven brief writing assignments, online class discussions and a final open-book
examination based on the course readings. Four of the writing assignments
will be based on the required tours for the course. 40% of the course mark
is for tour writeups, 30% for other brief writing assignments, 10 for contributions
to online discussions and 20% for the final course reading exam. All
assignments will be awarded marks using the evaluative criteria given on
the SLAIS
web site.
Written & Spoken English Requirement: Written
and spoken work may receive a lower mark if it is, in the opinion of the
instructor, deficient in English.
