Table I.2 MLS Program Objectives and Evidence of Student Attainment
MLS Program Objective 1: Obtain and apply an understanding of the foundations of library science from contemporary professional
standards used to resolve ethical and legal issues
Primary Course: LIBS 6010 Foundations of Library and Information Studies: Development and functions of libraries and
information centers, professional practice and ethics, and current issues and trends
Course Artifact: Term paper on student-selected legal or ethical issue of significance to their library setting of interest
Note: In addition, students may also take an elective course, LIBS 6735 Seminar on Intellectual Freedom
Faculty assessment of term
paper (Fall 2011-Fall 2013):
Internship site supervisors
(Spring 2012-Fall 2013):
Alumni Survey Fall 2011-Fall
2013):
Employer Survey (Spring
2010-Fall 20131):
92% of students produced a
term paper evaluated by the
instructor as “proficient” or
“above proficient”
97% of supervisors judged the
“professional attitude” of
student interns as “good” or
“excellent”
97% of ECU MLS grads said
they were “prepared” or “very
well prepared” to demonstrate
an understanding of
professional and legal issues
related to library and
information use, and apply
contemporary professional
standards to address or
resolve these issues”
96% of employers evaluate
ECU MLS grads as “prepared”
or “very well prepared” to
demonstrate an understanding
of professional and legal issues
related to library and
information use, and apply
contemporary professional
standards to address or
resolve these issues
1
Anonymous survey; cannot be linked back to individual alumni employees or year/semester of graduation
MLS Program Objective 2. Investigate library problems through analysis and synthesis of professional library literature.
Primary Course: LIBS 6012 Analyzing and Synthesizing Professional Library Information: Analysis and synthesis of
professional library literature and resources.
New title proposed in course revision submitted Spring 2014: LIBS 6012 Research Literacy in Library Science: Introduction to
designing, planning, and conducting research for the library practitioner, including the analysis and synthesis of professional library
literature2
Course Artifact: Students prepare a research proposal
Note: In addition, Academic Library students must take LIBS 6972 Research Methods in Library and Information Studies:
Various available resources and problems of research in library and information studies. Other students may take the course as an
elective.
Faculty assessment of
proposal:
Internship site supervisors
Alumni Survey (Fall 2011-Fall
2013):
Employer Survey (Spring
2010-Fall 2013):
(Fall 2011-Fall 2013): 96% of
students produced a proposal
evaluated by the instructor as
“proficient” or “above
proficient.”
No relevant survey item.
100% of ECU MLS grads said
they were “prepared” or “very
well prepared” to investigate
library problems through
analysis and synthesis of
professional library literature”
96% of employers evaluate
ECU MLS grads as “prepared”
or “very well prepared” to
investigate library problems
through analysis and synthesis
of professional library literature
2
Course revision proposal has been approved through levels up to the ECU Graduate Curriculum Committee, which will consider the
course revision for final approval in Fall 2014.
MLS Program Objective 3. Use reference and information resources in a variety of formats to promote information literacy
Primary Course : LIBS 6014 Introduction to Reference: Major general reference sources used to answer information needs of
library users
Course artifact: Students prepare a reference tool using multiple types of library resources
Faculty assessment of
reference tool (Fall 2011-Fall
2013):
Internship site supervisors
(Spring 2012-Fall 2013):
Alumni Survey (Fall 2011-Fall
2013):
Employer Survey (Spring
2010-Fall 2013):
94% of students produced a
reference tool evaluated by the
instructor as “proficient” or
“above proficient”
96% of supervisors judged the
“knowledge of pertinent
materials” of student interns as
“good” or “excellent”
100% of ECU MLS grads said
they were “prepared” or “very
well prepared” to use reference
and information resources in a
variety of formats to promote
information literacy
100% of employers evaluate
ECU MLS grads as “prepared”
or “very well prepared” to use
reference and information
resources in a variety of
formats to promote information
literacy
MLS Program Objective 4. Select, acquire, develop and manage collections to meet the lifelong learning needs of diverse groups
in various library settings
Primary Course: LIBS 6018 Collection Development: Principles and methods of selecting print and electronic materials,
intellectual freedom, and formulation of selection policies
Course Artifact: Collection development policy for a library type of the student’s choice; artifact replaced in Fall 2013 with a
collection building exercise.
Note: In addition, School Library students must also take two specialized materials courses: LIBS 6135 Materials for Children:
Evaluation, selection, and use of contemporary fiction, informational books, and other media for elementary through middle school
age children in grades K-8, and LIBS 6137 Materials for Young Adults: Evaluation, selection and use of contemporary fiction,
informational books and other media for high school age young adults, grades 9-12. Students may choose an additional elective
course LIBS 6903 Special Topics: Electronic Materials.
Faculty assessment of
course artifact (Fall 2011-Fall
2013):
Internship site supervisors
(Spring 2012-Fall 2013):
Alumni Survey (Fall 2011-Fall
2013):
Employer Survey (Spring
2010-Fall 2013):
94% of students produced an
artifact evaluated by the
instructor as “proficient” or
“above proficient”
96% of supervisors judged the
“ knowledge of pertinent
materials” of student interns as
“good” or “excellent”
94% of ECU MLS grads said
they were “prepared” or “very
well prepared” to select,
acquire, develop and manage
collections to meet the lifelong
learning needs of diverse
groups in various library
settings
96% of employers evaluate
ECU MLS grads as “prepared”
or “very well prepared” to
select, acquire, develop and
manage collections to meet the
lifelong learning needs of
diverse groups in various
library settings
MLS Program Objective 5. Apply appropriate standards and guidelines for the organization of library materials and resources
Primary Course: LIBS 6026 Organization of Information in Libraries: Organization of information resources, including
classification, cataloging (MARC), and subject headings
Course Artifact: Evaluation of an integrated library system (ILS) application and analysis of ILS history and future
Faculty assessment of ILS
evaluation (Fall 2011-Fall
2013):
Internship site supervisors
(Spring 2012-Fall 2013):
Alumni Survey (Fall 2011-Fall
2013):
Employer Survey (of Spring
2010-Fall 2013):
86% of students produced an
ILS evaluation judged by the
instructor as “proficient” or
“above proficient”
96% of supervisors judged the
“knowledge of pertinent
processes” of student interns
as “good” or “excellent”
95% of ECU MLS grads said
they were “prepared” or “very
well prepared” to apply
appropriate standards and
guidelines for the organization
of library materials and
resources
100% of employers evaluate
ECU MLS grads as “prepared”
or “very well prepared” to apply
appropriate standards and
guidelines for the organization
of library materials and
resources
MLS Program Objective 6. Plan, organize, staff, direct, and budget library programs to meet informational, instructional, and
recreational needs
Primary Course: LIBS 6031 Library Administration and Management: Theory and principles of management with relevant
application for public, school, and academic libraries
Course Artifact: Executive presentation to constituents of the student’s library setting of interest
Note: Public, academic and school library students revisit management and leadership in later specialized courses
Faculty assessment of
executive presentation (Fall
2011-Fall 2013):
Internship site supervisors
Alumni Survey (Fall 2011-Fall
2013):
Employer Survey (Spring
2010-Fall 2013):
96% of students produced a
presentation judged by the
instructor as “proficient” or
“above proficient”
No relevant survey item.
93% of ECU MLS grads said
they were “prepared” or “very
well prepared” to plan,
organize, staff, direct, and
budget library programs to
meet informational,
instructional, and recreational
needs
91% of employers evaluate
ECU MLS grads as “prepared”
or “very well prepared” to plan,
organize, staff, direct, and
budget library programs to
meet informational,
instructional, and recreational
needs
MLS Program Objective 7. Apply appropriate technologies to support or enhance library functions and processes.
Primary Course: LIBS 6042 Technology for Library Services: Use of technology in effective programs for library services
including evaluative criteria for hardware and software and methods and strategies to integrate technology into instructional process
Course Artifact: Multimedia project for instruction
Note: Selecting and using appropriate technology in various library settings is a recurring thread throughout program courses
Faculty assessment of
multimedia project (Fall
2011-Fall 2013):
Internship site supervisors
Alumni Survey (Fall 2011-Fall
2013):
Employer Survey (Spring
2010-Fall 2013):
94% of students produced a
project judged by the instructor
as “proficient” or “above
proficient”
No relevant survey item
93% of ECU MLS grads said
they were “prepared” or “very
well prepared” to apply
appropriate technologies to
support or enhance library
functions and processes
92% of their employers
evaluate ECU MLS grads as
“prepared” or “very well
prepared” to apply appropriate
technologies to support or
enhance library functions and
processes
MLS Program Objective 8: Instruct individually, and in collaboration with other information professionals/educators, diverse user
groups to access effectively and efficiently the resources and services available to them in a variety of library settings
This objective is not evaluated during a primary course, but is embedded throughout MLS program courses and is assessed at the
artifact and assignment levels. Courses including learning objectives for instruction include LIBS 6026 Organization of Information
in Libraries, LIBS 6042 Technology for Library Services, LIBS 6142 Instructional Foundations of the School Library Media
Program, LIBS 6137 Materials for Young Adults, LIBS 6810 Academic Libraries and LIBS 6991 Internship: Seminar.
Alumni Survey (Fall 2011-Fall
2013):
Employer Survey (Spring
2010-Fall 2013):
93% of ECU MLS grads said
they were “prepared” or “very
well prepared” to instruct
diverse user groups to access
effectively and efficiently the
resources and services
available to them in a variety of
library settings, both as an
individual, and in collaboration
with other information
professionals/educators
100% of employers evaluate
ECU MLS grads as “prepared”
or “very well prepared” to
instruct diverse user groups to
access effectively and
efficiently the resources and
services available to them in a
variety of library settings, both
as an individual, and in
collaboration with other
information
professionals/educators
MLS Program Objective 9: Obtain practical experience in professional roles for which students are preparing
Primary Course: LIBS 6991 Internship Seminar: 110 hours of observation and practical experience in the library setting for which
students are preparing
Course Artifact: Instructional presentation for peer professional development
Faculty assessment of
instructional presentation
(Fall 2011-Fall 2013):
Internship site supervisors
(Spring 2012-Fall 2013):
Alumni Survey (Fall 2011-Fall
2013):
Employer Survey (Spring
2010-Fall 2013):
100% of students produced a
professional development
presentation judged by the
instructor as “proficient” or
“above proficient”
ECU MLS Internship site
supervisors in all library
settings evaluate student
interns as “good” or “excellent”
on:
97% of ECU MLS grads said
they were “prepared” or “very
well prepared” by practical
experience in librarianship
100% of employers evaluate
ECU MLS grads as “prepared”
or “very well prepared” by
practical experience in
librarianship
Professional Attitude: 97%
Knowledge of pertinent
materials: 96%
Knowledge of pertinent
processes: 96%
Knowledge of people: 98%
Ability to work with library
users: 98%
General effectiveness in
working with library users:
98%
96% report they would hire
their intern if they had an
appropriate vacancy
Dispositional Skills and Abilities of MLS Graduates
Graduate Exit Survey (20112012 and 2012-2013)
Alumni Survey (Fall 2011-Fall
2013)
Employer Survey (Spring
2010-Fall 2013)
Establish and maintain interpersonal relationships with colleagues necessary to collaborate and form partnerships
98% of graduates say the
program contributed
“somewhat” or “very much” to
improving their communication
skills
99% of respondents say they
were “prepared” or “very well
prepared” by the program to
establish and maintain
interpersonal relationships with
colleagues necessary to
collaborate and form
partnerships
96% of respondents say ECU
MLS graduates were
“prepared” or “very well
prepared” to establish and
maintain interpersonal
relationships with colleagues
necessary to collaborate and
form partnerships
Demonstrate flexibility in an environment of rapid change
96% of graduates say the
program contributed
“somewhat” or “very much” to
improving their problem-solving
skills
98% of respondents say they
were “prepared” or “very well
prepared” by the program to
demonstrate flexibility in an
environment of rapid change
96% of respondents say ECU
MLS graduates were
“prepared” or “very well
prepared” to demonstrate
flexibility in an environment of
rapid change
Engage in continuous professional development
100% of graduates say the
program contributed
“somewhat” or “very much” to
their personal development
97% of respondents say they
were “prepared” or “very well
prepared” by the program to
engage in continuous
professional development
96% of respondents say ECU
MLS graduates were
“prepared” or “very well
prepared” to engage in
continuous professional
development
Assume leadership roles within the library and the larger organization
92% of graduates say the
99% of respondents say they
96% of respondents say ECU
program provided “good” or
“excellent” opportunities to
develop leadership skills
were “prepared” or “very well
prepared” by the program to
assume leadership roles within
the library and the larger
organization
MLS graduates were
“prepared” or “very well
prepared” to assume
leadership roles within the
library and the larger
organization