UB LIS PORTFOLIO
REFLECTIVE COMPREHENSIVE ESSAY
(2,500-5,000 words).
This essay should analyze your program of study and how it has contributed to your achieving
the LIS program learning objectives as well as your own educational and professional goals.
It is best to approach this essay by considering your own plan of study—your courses, the
assignments you completed and the practica and special projects you undertook. Use all of
these to discuss what you learned by addressing the questions as outlined below. Use your
projects, work artifacts, the contents of lectures and any practical work experiences as evidence
to support your discussion.
Remember that this outline is a guide to help you to structure your essay. It is not a “fill in the
blank question and answer” test. Your essay, though structured into these parts, should be your
own prose and a synthesis of your experiences as a whole. Make your point weave the
evidence—work products, learning from readings or lectures and exercises in practical
application, either in work, a practicum or as part of an assignment—into a coherent whole.
RUBRIC FOR EVALUATION
Satisfactory
The essay addresses the questions posed and
demonstrates thoughtful reflection about the
student's educational experiences and growth
as an information professional.
Unsatisfactory
It is difficult to ascertain from the essay how
experiences in the pro-gram resulted in
educational and professional growth.
The essay clearly demonstrates the synthesis
of the LIS program’s learning objectives with
the student’s own professional goals and
commitment to the information profession.
Professional goals and commitment are
sketchy or missing. There is no attempt to
reflect on program learning objectives.
Specific examples of experiences are included.
Examples are unrelated or missing.
The reflective essay is well written, clearly
organized and demonstrates reflection and
critical thinking.
Organization of the reflective essay is
haphazard. Reflection is simplistic or missing.
The essay is poorly writ-ten.
SUGGESTED ESSAY STRUCTURE:
PART I:
What are the theoretical and conceptual foundations of LIS that you believe will be most
important to you as an information professional? Explain why these principles are important.
a. Address the theoretical and conceptual foundations of LIS that will be important to you as
an information professional. Consider the following and explain why these principles are
important.
Explain, with examples where possible, what have you learned about:
1.1. the nature of information and its role in learning, research and scholarship, business,
society, and culture.
1.2. the nature of information and its role in learning, research and scholarship, business,
society, and culture;
1.3. the history and development of communication media (language and writing,
information technologies) and their influence on the development of society and
culture;
1.4. the history and development of information agencies, including libraries, and their
influence on the development of society and culture;
1.5. national and international systems of information and communication and the
diverse types of information agencies, including libraries, archives, museums,
publishing industry, media, Internet, etc.;
1.6. the role of library and information services in a rapidly changing technological
society. Explain how you are equipped to respond to the evolving needs, emerging
technologies and your ability to adapt LIS technologies and services to address these
trends;
1.7. the legal framework within which information agencies, including libraries, operate,
including laws relating to copyright, privacy, freedom of information, freedom of
expression, equal rights (e.g., the Americans with Disabilities Act), and intellectual
property;
1.8. the importance of research to the advancement of the field's knowledge base and
demonstrate an awareness of some of the central research findings and research
literature of the field;
1.9. the importance of contributions of library and information studies to other fields of
knowledge;
1.10. the importance of contributions of other fields of knowledge to library and
information studies; applying an evolving body of knowledge that reflects the
findings of basic and applied research from such relevant fields.
b. What domain knowledge and skills required to carry out information functions have you
learned?
Discuss, with examples where possible, what have you learned about:
2.1. analyzing information needs and to design, promote, and assess information
services;
2.2. managing user-oriented collections of information resources and access;
2.3. applying principles of knowledge organization for a wide range of applications, from
organizing a collection to expert searching to support for learning;
2.4. technology and the uses of technology by individuals and organizations. What have
you learned in terms of the kinds of knowledge and skills needed for carrying out
information functions?
2.5. the principles of information seeking and of reference and user services in different
modes of communication (face-to-face, telephone, computer communication) for
users of all ages and groups, including those with diverse styles of information use
and diverse physical and intellectual abilities and needs;
2.6. the principles and application of pedagogy, including learning theories, instructional
design, instructional methods, lesson planning, and assessment methods needed to
function as effective reference counselors, teachers, instructors, and mentors.
c. There are general knowledge and skills that are applicable across professions, including
skills in management, communication and collaboration, research, and critical thinking.
Discuss you understanding of the following and use examples to point out what you have
learned about:
3.1. leadership principles and successfully leading and managing libraries and
information agencies;
3.2. managing your own work, including priority setting and time management;
3.3. effective communication in multiple media, including production of shared communication
(presenting, speaking, writing, visual design);
3.4. effective collaboration, via various media, with people in other disciplines, professions,
or professional positions;
3.5. applying a variety of research methods / methods of inquiry; exhibiting critical thinking,
and both assessing and applying research findings.
PART 2:
What are the professional values that will guide you as an information professional? Explain
how these professional values will guide you.
a. Discuss your understanding of the nature of the LIS profession and the roles,
responsibilities, and values of library and information professionals; and how prepared
you are to put professional values into practice.
Address this by discussing what you have learned about:
4.1. career paths available in the information profession; discerning the career path best
suited to your abilities, strengths, and interests and designing an appropriate plan of
study;
4.2. the nature of the information profession and the roles and responsibilities of
information professionals.
4.3. the values of the profession; how are you prepared to put these values into
practice?
4.4. being reflective professionals: reflecting on your actions and being open to critique
and suggestions from all sides.
4.5. practical professional experience – though a job or through in-service education.
4.6. serving as leaders and advancing the field.
b. Discuss the importance of personal qualities conducive to professional success and your
own development as a professionals with these qualities. Address the qualities below (and
any others not listed) that you feel are most important:
5.1.
5.2.
5.3.
5.4.
5.5.
5.6.
5.7.
5.8.
5.9.
5.10.
5.11.
5.12.
5.13.
5.14.
Poise and professional appearance
Integrity
Authenticity
Interpersonal skills, be engaging and friendly
Empathy.
Tolerance.
Respectfulness.
Confidence
Assertiveness.
Persistence.
Self-motivation.
Creativity.
Innovativeness.
Resourcefulness
5.15.
5.16.
5.17.
5.18.
5.19.
5.20.
5.21.
5.22.
5.23.
5.24.
Flexibility / Adaptability / Versatility
Initiative
Being proactive.
Enthusiasm.
Passion.
Energy.
Positive thinking
Interest in learning / intellectual curiosity.
Ability to work with others / team member.
Ability to follow rules and procedures, willingness "to serve as private before
becoming a general"
5.25. Dependability
5.26. Assumes responsibility
5.27. Ability to work beyond job boundaries.
PART 3:
How do particular items of evidence in your portfolio, including those you have discussed in your
essay this far, reflect the bodies of knowledge and skills that will enable you join the profession
as a leader, to demonstrate professional excellence and social responsibility and to “transform
lives through information?”
FINALLY:
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Check your spelling;
Check your grammar;
Check your style;
Your writing style should be that expected at the graduate level
Have a friend edit your essay;
Do not wait until your final semester to begin the work for this!
This is the culminating project in the MLS program – if you are proud of the work you have
completed, your essay should reflect this.