Subject: Student Portfolio
Policy Number: A5.85
Date: 10/26/07
Revised: 4/30/09
POLICY
In partial fulfillment of the requirements for graduation, each student will submit an electronic portfolio documenting learning and professional growth during the MLIS program. The portfolio, to be submitted in the semester prior to the student’s anticipated completion of the program, will include a reflective essay and work samples (including, but not limited to, research papers, projects, and posters; professional briefs; and recorded presentations) which demonstrate evidence of student understanding of the following five areas:
1.
Information and its organization;
A.
demonstrate an understanding of the roles of information organization in human endeavors;
B.
describe major concepts, theories, issues in trends in knowledge representation and information organization;
C.
explain the relationship between information organization and information retrieval;
D.
describe basic theories and issues of information seeking behaviors;
E.
demonstrate proficient professional skills in information seeking;
F.
explain the basic concepts involved in descriptive and subject cataloging of library materials and be able to relate records generated in technical services operations to the universe
of bibliographic organization and control; and
G.
describe the basic principles and practice involved in preservation of materials in all types and sizes of libraries and other information agencies.
2.
Provision of information services;
A.
demonstrate skills needed to identify, evaluate, manage, and use information resources effectively;

B.
describe and assess information needs of diverse user populations, including both onsite and remote users;
C.
analyze issues in designing and providing appropriate information services to all user populations, including onsite and remote users; and
D.
review the basic concepts of library instruction.
3.
Organizational, leadership, and management issues in information agencies and services;
A.
apply theoretical models to practical problems;
B.
illustrate an understanding of community analysis and needs assessment;
C.
define and create goals, objectives, and strategies;
D.
compose measurable and single-outcome objectives;
E.
create required and appropriate content for a specific fundable grant proposal;
F.
describe supervisory and managerial styles;
G.
define marketing and its strategies; and
H.
review the literature of management and reflect on relevant research.
4.
Application of technology and research to evidence-based practice;
A.
compare the dynamics of information technology as implemented in libraries, archives and other information agencies;
B.
identify the concepts and methods of Internet content production for libraries and other agencies;
C.
analyze the issues and concepts of information policy;
D.
compare information technology management in libraries and other information agencies;
E.
apply research and assessment to build a knowledge base for library and information science;
F.
demonstrate a basic understanding of research and assessment concepts;
G.
apply rigorous thinking and analytical methods to solve library and information science problems; and
H.
analyze and evaluate critical research in library and information science.
5.
Lifelong learning and professional development;
A.
formulate short-term and long-term plans for professional growth and development based on awareness of the needs and realistic demands of the profession and personal

competencies;
B.
discuss the cultural roles and behaviors of library and information professional, including a personal philosophy of professional behavior and ethics; and
C.
construct a career plan based on personal professional goals.
Student graduation is contingent upon SLIS faculty’s evaluation of the portfolio as satisfactory.
PROCEDURE
Students are encouraged to attend a portfolio workshop when they are nearing the end of their program. Completed portfolios should be submitted to the student’s advisor and to the Student Services Manager. Upon receipt of a portfolio the Student Services Manager will print the first page of the portfolio, any associated emails, and the Portfolio form. The Portfolio Form will be signed off on by the Student Services Manager and the advisor, indicating whether the student passed or failed.