Welcome to LIS-505B
Introduction to Library and
Information Studies
Dr. Valerie Nesset
January 11, 2010
What is the purpose of the course?

Overview or “taste” of the field.
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History, foundations (theory and practice)
and issues
Framework for required and elective
courses

Plan of Study
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Course Objectives
1. To understand the history, context, and
development of communication media and
libraries and their relationship to the field
of Library and Information Studies (LIS).
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Theoretical overview (Week 4)
A Brief History of Communication
Media, Libraries, and Librarianship
(Week 4)
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Course Objectives
2. To identify the main functions involved in
the operation of a library or information
center and to illustrate the flow of
information within them.
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Libraries in Operation: Functions and
Types (Week 3 – Assignment 1)
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The Role of Libraries/The Information
Cycle (Week 5)
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Course Objectives
3. To identify and understand the types
and roles of information professionals
within the information infrastructure of
a networked society.
 Access to Information: Information
Behaviour (Week 8)
 Panel of Information Professionals
(Week 15)
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Course Objectives
4. To identify and evaluate some of the major
issues concerning information access,
provision, and use as addressed in the
professional and scholarly literature.
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Censorship and Freedom of Expression (9)
Publishing, Copyright, and Open Access (10)
Information Literacy (12)
Information and Societies: the
International Dimension (13)
Group Discussions/Presentations
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Course Objectives
5. To demonstrate an understanding of LIS
principles, practices, and ethics
6. To complete an informed Plan of Study
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Digital Libraries and Archives (Week 6)
What is Information Science? What is
Knowledge Management? (Week 7)
The LIS Profession: Parts I and II (Week
14)
The entire course!
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Course Objectives
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Course objectives will be met through:
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A series of lectures by myself and
invited guests who are experts in their
particular areas.
Small group online discussions and
class meetings (15%)
Assignments (80%)
Class participation (5%)
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And about the lectures…

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Abridged lectures on UBlearns prior to
each class meeting (exception: when
there is a guest panel or speaker).
Class participation is encouraged during
the lectures and attendance is mandatory
for small group presentations.
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And about the small group
discussions…
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Participation in discussion groups = 15%
of final mark.
Each person will be expected to take on a
specific role (e.g. recorder, discussion
leader, reporter) on a rotational basis.
The mark depends mainly on the content
of the document produced by each group.
Individual participation will be monitored
via the chat logs.
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And about the assignments…
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Purpose of the assignments is to introduce
you to various aspects of Library and
Information Studies not covered in class.
Assignments also provide a measure for
assessment of your learning.
Three assignments:
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Assignment #1: Groups of two or three
Assignment #2: Individually or in pairs
Assignment #3: Individually.
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More about the assignments…
Assignment 1

Focuses on processes and the
relationships between them within a
library or information center
 Provision of and access to
information resources

Diagrammatic

Terminology

“The big picture”
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More about the assignments…
Assignment 2
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Opportunity to apply theory to practice
Development of critical thinking and
decision-making skills
“Real life” scenario
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More about the assignments…
Assignment 3: Literature Review
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Focuses on the theoretical side of LIS
What issues concern information professionals?
 What are the major themes?
What are the experts saying about these issues?
 What is the debate surrounding these
issues?
Critical Thinking – synthesis and analysis
 Identification and analysis of major themes.
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And about the assignments…
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Check UBlearns under Assignments for
electronic copies as well as copies of
assessment criteria and useful information.
Make use of office hours!!
Email is very handy if you are unable to see me
in person and have a question regarding the
course or the assignments. I will try to reply to
your questions as promptly as possible.
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DLIS Orientation
Or Everything You Need to Know But Were
Afraid To Ask . . .
January 11, 2010
Advisement
Why
 To help you develop a plan of study
appropriate for your career goals
Who
 LIS faculty (one should have been assigned
to you)
When
 As soon as possible (to develop an initial
Plan of Study, required for this course)
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LIS-526: Practicum
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Supervised by an information professional
Hands-on experience in a workplace environment
12 credit hours in LIS must be completed
Choice of length (40 hours = 1 credit; typical
practicum is 120 hours for 3 credits)
Maximum of 6 credits from practica during the
program
Grading: Satisfactory (S) or Unsatisfactory (U)
http://www.gse.buffalo.edu/programs/lis/forms/PracticumList4.p
df
http://www.gse.buffalo.edu/programs/lis/forms.asp
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LIS-527: Special Project
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Supervised by an information professional
Special duties related to LIS
12 credit hours in LIS must be completed
before starting a special project
Hours and nature of project to be determined
by the supervisor
Maximum of 6 credits from special projects
http://www.gse.buffalo.edu/programs/lis/forms/LIS
527_Guidelines.pdf
http://www.gse.buffalo.edu/programs/lis/forms.asp
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LIS-598: Directed Study

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Can be taken at any point during the
program (no pre-credit requirements)
Grading: Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory; or
Letter Grade (as decided by instructor)
http://www.gse.buffalo.edu/programs/lis/forms/LIS598_D
irected_Study.pdf
Maximum of 9 credits for any
combination of 526/527/598 with a
maximum of 6 credits for 526/527.
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LIS Programs

MLS (general)
 SLMS certification
http://www.gse.buffalo.edu/programs/lis/2/

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Public Library: civil service requirements
Specializations
 Law (MLS/JD)
http://www.gse.buffalo.edu/programs/lis/3/
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Music (MLS/MA)
http://www.gse.buffalo.edu/programs/lis/4/
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UB Libraries
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Electronic Resources
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Lockwood Library (graduate)
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http://library.buffalo.edu/
To use a database from home, click on it and enter
your UBIT name and password
LIS Collection (basement)
Technical Services
http://library.buffalo.edu/libraries/about/maps/directio
nslml.html
Capen Library (undergraduate)
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Course Reserves (main desk)
http://library.buffalo.edu/libraries/about/maps/directio
nsugl.html
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