University at Albany
State University of New York
College of Computing and Information
Department of Information Studies
IST 618: Public Libraries
Husted 219
7:15pm – 10:05pm
Spring 2016
Syllabus
Instructors:
Email:
Phone:
Office hours:
Jeffrey Cannell and Tim Burke
Cannell - jwcannell@gmail.com
Burke - tim.burke@uhls.lib.ny.us
(Email is the best method to reach either of us. Please include IST618 in the subject line)
Cannell – 522-6021 (cell)
Burke - 437-9880 x222 (office)
Student meetings will be made by appointment with either instructor
Course Information
Course Description: This course focuses on current issues, practices and trends in public library organizations, planning
and service delivery. Topics include types of public libraries, their governance and funding; the role public library
systems, library trustees, and state agencies; exploration of different staff functions and types of service in public
libraries; and information about employment opportunities in public libraries.
Course Design: The course will consist of lectures, guest speaker presentations, project based student presentations,
and group discussions.
Course Goal: To familiarize students with public libraries and public library service; current trends and practices in public
libraries; and to provide the opportunity for students to interact with and learn from a variety of professionals currently
working in and with public libraries.
Course Objectives: Understand the structure of public libraries in the United States, focusing primarily on New York
State public libraries; understand the relationships between public libraries and their communities and government
organizations; understand the core values and professional ethics of public librarianship; define goals and strategies
useful for employment in public libraries.
Course Policies
Attendance: In order to get the full benefit of the course, students are expected to attend all classes, be punctual, and
come prepared. Attendance is required, but in the event of unavoidable absence; students should notify (at least one
of) the instructors in advance of the absence. More than one absence for the course will result in a five-point deduction
per absence beyond the first absence. No absences are excused on dates you are expected to present.
Class Participation: Developing the skills to effectively share your thoughts, ideas, and opinions with a group is an
important part of this course’s learning experience and is something that ALL students will be evaluated on. Throughout
the course you will be graded on the frequency, relevancy, and the quality of your class participation.
Overall Quality of Work: Quality is important and good communication skills are critical and should be reflected in all of
your presentations and writing assignments (neatness, clarity, spelling and grammar, etc.). You will be graded on the
overall quality of your work throughout the class.
Student Performance Evaluation:
Grades determined by:
Class Participation
Hands-on Advocacy: NYS Library Advocacy Day Participation
Public Library Environment Outside NYS Project
Looking Ahead for Public Libraries Project
Quality of overall work and presentation
20%
20%
20%
25%
15%
Overall Grading Scale
100-95
A
90-94
A86-89
B+
81-85
B
76-80
B75-71
C+
70-66
C
65-61
D
60 or lower
F
Academic Integrity: Please see the Graduate Education “Student Academic Resources” page for information about
academic integrity standards, examples of dishonesty, and possible penalties:
http://www.albany.edu/graduate/graduate-studies-student-resources.php
Everything produced for this course should be your own work and unique to this course. Failure to follow the university
guidelines is a serious infraction and you will receive zero points for the work in question. Other more serious penalties
include a failing grade for the course, referral to the University Judicial System, and/or dismissal from the University.
Learning Accommodations: Reasonable accommodations will be provided for students with documented physical,
sensory, systemic, cognitive, learning and psychiatric disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring
accommodation in this class, please notify the Disability Resource Center (http://www.albany.edu/disability/, BA 120
1400 Washington Avenue Albany, NY 12222, phone (518) 442-5490).
Suggested Readings
Rising to the Challenge: Re-Envisioning Public Libraries. A report of the Aspen Institute Dialogue on Public Libraries
(Washington DC: Aspen Institute, Oct. 2014)
http://csreports.aspeninstitute.org/documents/AspenLibrariesReport.pdf
Lankes, R. David, Expect More: Demanding Better Libraries For Today’s Complex World
Free multiple format download available at: http://quartz.syr.edu/blog/?page_id=4598
Pew Research Project Reports on Libraries and Library Use in the US (various) http://www.pewinternet.org/topics/libraries/pages/2/
2015 State of America’s Libraries Report. (Chicago: American Library Association, 2015)
http://www.ala.org/news/state-americas-libraries-report-2015
Class Projects (see additional sheet for more details)
Hands-on Advocacy: NYS Library Advocacy Day Participation
On Wednesday, March 2, 2016 ALL STUDENTS MUST attend NYLA Library Advocacy Day at the NYS Capitol and attend at
least one legislative meeting with a library advocacy group and submit a written summary of the content of the meeting.
NOTE - there will be NO CLASS on Wednesday, March 2, so we’ll look forward to seeing you all down at the Capitol!!
Future Focus: What’s Ahead for Public Libraries?
Do some independent research on the future of public libraries. Select one specific thing that you think is going to
change as public libraries move into the future. Describe where we are now, WHAT YOU THINK it’s going to look like in
the future, and WHY YOU THINK it’s going to move in this direction and WHETHER YOU THINK this will be a good or bad
thing for public libraries.
You will submit a written report on your research/findings/opinion and also make a presentation to the class. Note –
your specific topic of focus must be approved by the instructors.
Not Just a New York State of Mind: The Library Environment Outside of New York State
You will select a state (other than NY) and research their public library infrastructure. The research will include a
statistical/demographic summary of public libraries in the state, funding for public libraries, state agency support for
public libraries, consortial structures, requirements for professional employment, current employment outlook for
public librarians, etc.
You will submit a written report on your state and also make a presentation to the class.