Course Descriptions

*MLIS 7000 FOUNDATIONS OF LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SCIENCE

An introduction to the library and information science field, its history, and future directions.  The focus is on the history, concepts, and technological development of the discipline.  Students will gain familiarity with library and information theory, the discipline and sub-disciplines within the information sciences, and ethical practices and standards.

*MLIS 7100 Information Sources and Services

Prerequisite or corequisite:  MLIS 7000.  An introduction to concepts and processes in reference and information science and to fundamental information sources and services provided by libraries and information organizations.  An overview of the reference function includes the history and future of reference service, question negotiation, information needs analysis, effective research strategies, evaluation of information sources in various formats, and ethics of information services.

MLIS 7110 Online Searching

An introduction to methods of information retrieval used in commercial databases and on the World Wide Web.  Advanced search strategies such as complex Boolean operations and keyword commands will be included.

MLIS 7125 Genealogy for Librarians                                                                                                                    

               3 hours

An overview of resources on genealogy and techniques for providing library service to genealogists. The course allows students to acquire practical knowledge of genealogical materials and to explore related topics for providing library service to genealogists.

MLIS 7120 Government Information Sources

Prerequisite or corequisite:  MLIS 7000.  Use of and access to government documents, defining government documents, how they are generated or created, how and who uses them, how and where to find them.  The course addresses government documents at the federal, state, and local levels as well as documents of international organizations (UN, EU, etc.) and foreign governments.

MLIS 7140 Advanced Reference

 Prerequisite: MLIS 7100. Examination of multi-disciplinary information domains, addressing user behavior, and information needs, resources, and services unique to researchers in the humanity and social sciences.

MLIS 7180 Library Services for Users with Disabilities

Prerequisite or corequisite:  MLIS 7000. A general introduction to disability and library services to users with disabilities including accessibility, assistive technology, universal design, relevant policy, and funding opportunities. Students will also learn about disability and social justice in the LIS profession and typical issues and barriers that individuals with disabilities face in society. 

*MLIS 7200 Management of Libraries and Information Centers

Prerequisite or corequisite:  MLIS 7000.  An introduction to the functions of library management and its underlying theoretical concepts.  This course provides an overview of the history of management, an introduction to management theory and functions, including planning, leading, organizing, staffing, controlling, budgeting, human resource issues, and an understanding of management as a system involving all staff.

MLIS 7210 Academic Libraries 

Prerequisite or corequisite:  MLIS 7200.  An examination of the functions of the library within the higher education environment.  The course promotes the Jeffersonian ideal of the library as the center of the university and explores administrative issues and service patterns specific to the academic library.

MLIS 7220 Public Libraries

Prerequisite or corequisite:  MLIS 7200.  A study of the American public library and its place in contemporary communities.  Topics include standards, planning, evaluation, governance, funding, and advocacy.

MLIS 7222 Adult Services in Public Libraries

Prerequisite:  MLIS 7220. An exploration of adult services in public libraries including adult library use, programming for adults, services to special populations, partnerships, marketing, digital services, introduction to reader’s advisory services. 

MLIS 7230 Special Libraries and Information Centers

Prerequisite or corequisite:  MLIS 7200.  An examination of the contexts and administrative functions of special libraries and information centers. Management policies and practices, user services, technical services, collections, facilities, and outreach are addressed.

MLIS 7240 Marketing Library Services

Prerequisite or corequisite:  MLIS 7200.  Marketing techniques and their applications in all types of libraries.  Planning, research, goal-setting, relationship marketing, and marketing with technology are considered.  Development of marketing plans and tools is included.

MLIS 7250 Human Resources Management

Prerequisite or corequisite:  MLIS 7200.  A comprehensive look at issues that shape the nature of human relations in libraries.  Topics include staff recruitment and development, diversity, equal opportunity, performance evaluation, and legal requirements.

MLIS 7260 Leadership in Libraries and Information Centers

Prerequisite or corequisite:  MLIS 7000.  An introduction to leadership theory, principles, and practices.  The course provides an overview of the relationship between leadership theory and the effective practice of leadership as well as an understanding of the competencies required of effective leaders in today’s libraries and information organizations.

MLIS 7280 Community Building

Based upon theoretical and pragmatic aspects of community building through libraries in areas such as social services, social learning/media, civic engagement, cultural enrichment, and the creative spirit. 

MLIS 7290 Project Management for Libraries

Prerequisite or corequisite:  MLIS 7200 or consent of the instructor.  Introduction to fundamental concepts and practices of project management for libraries, including the five project management process groups and project management knowledge areas.

*MLIS 7300 Organization of Information

Prerequisite or corequisite:  MLIS 7000.  An introduction to the conceptual and theoretical frameworks for organizing and retrieving information, including organizational systems objectives, structures, formats, standards, and vocabularies; choice and form of access points; authority control; subject access; the impact of new technologies; and the information life cycle. (Effective Fall 2013)

MLIS 7310 Introduction to Metadata FOR Catalogers

Pre-requisite: MLIS 7300. Introduction to the theories, principles, and practices of bibliographic descriptive cataloging and metadata, including the application of current and emerging standards. The course includes the creation of descriptive metadata and an examination of current trends and future directions of descriptive cataloging and metadata.

MLIS 7330 Advanced Metadata

Pre-requisite: MLIS 7300 and MLIS 7310. Advanced study of the theory and practice of descriptive cataloging and metadata, including metadata development; application of current and emerging metadata standards, methodologies, and practices; issues in metadata interoperability, social aspects of metadata creation, linked data, and ontologies.

MLIS 7355 Cataloging and Classification

Pre-requisite: MLIS 7300. Study of the theories, principles, and practices of cataloging and classification, including resource description, Library Congress of Subject Headings (LCSH), related thesauri, RDA Registry, and classification theory; and application of classification schemes including Dewey Decimal Classification (DDC), Library of Congress Classification (LCC), and other systems.

MLIS 7360  Knowledge Creation and Taxonomy

Pre-requisite: MLIS 7300. An introduction to contemporary topics in management of knowledge creation and use. Students will learn the principles and practices of knowledge creation. Discussion topics include indexing process, image indexing, faceted classification for indexing, thesaurus construction, taxonomies, and ontologies. 

MLIS 7400 Collection Development

Prerequisite or corequisite:  MLIS 7000 or consent of instructor.  Principles and processes for building and maintaining library and information center collections.  Identification, evaluation, selection, acquisition, and preservation of materials in all formats will be emphasized.  The contexts of all types of libraries, needs of diverse patrons, and legal and ethical issues will be considered.

MLIS 7420 Literature for Children

A study of the literature created for children in relation to their needs, interests and abilities.  Emphasis will be on the process of evaluation in order to meet the developmental, educational, cultural, and recreational needs of children.

MLIS 7421 Multicultural Youth Literature

A survey of multicultural literature for children and teenagers. Evaluation, selection and use of multicultural literature in school and public libraries will be emphasized.

MLIS 7422 Programming for Children and Young Teens

An overview of the nature, philosophy, design, and delivery of library programs for youngsters from birth through early teens.  The course includes principles of planning, implementing, promoting, and evaluating programs for this age group.  Emphasis is on creative arts, including storytime and storytelling, puppetry, reading incentive programs, and other age-specific activities.

MLIS 7423 Literature for Young Adults

A study of the literature created for young adults in relation to their characteristics, needs, interests and abilities.  Emphasis will be on the process of evaluation in order to meet the developmental, educational, cultural, and recreational needs of young adults. Literature will be considered from various perspectives, including literary and artistic merit, popularity with teens, social and personal usefulness.

MLIS 7425 Youth Electronic Resources

Evaluation, selection, management, and use of electronic materials for children and young adults including web and computer-based materials. Learners will explore categories of resources and develop materials to facilitate access and promote learning. Issues such as copyright and technology planning will also be explored. Choices allow graduate students with varied backgrounds and interests to select activities that meet their professional needs.

MLIS 7430 Information Literacy Instruction

An examination of the information literacy movement from its origins in library instruction to the learning theories and teaching practices that shape its current standards. The information literacy model used in academic libraries will be emphasized.

MLIS 7440 Electronic Resources in Libraries

Prerequisite:  MLIS 7000. Policies and procedures for managing electronic information resources as part of a library collection.  Selection, budgeting, acquisition, cataloging, assessment, copyright, licensing, and preservation are considered.

MLIS 7510 Essential Technologies in Libraries

Prerequisite or corequisite:  MLIS 7000 or consent of instructor.  An introduction to technologies defining or influencing library operations and services with an emphasis on essential library technologies.  Course activities center upon conceptual and practical application of information technologies.

MLIS 7520 Database Design for Informational Professionals 

Prerequisite or corequisite:  MLIS 7000.  Addresses government and industry needs for design, implementation, and management of the database systems. This course focuses on the application of data modeling technologies in library and information science practice and research.

MLIS 7540 Integrated Library management Systems

Prerequisite or corequisite:  MLIS 7000.  Introduction to fundamental concepts of library management systems, with an emphasis on integrated library systems and electronic resource management systems.  Topics include planning, selecting, and implementing of managerial issues related to library management systems.

MLIS 7570  Information Architecture 

Prerequisite or corequisite: MLIS 7000.  Theory and techniques of designing Web sites for effective information delivery. Study of organization, labeling, navigation, and indexing systems included. (Previously MLIS 7370; New course number effective Fall 2013)

MLIS 7580 Digital Libraries 

Prerequisite or corequisite:  MLIS 7000.  Addresses how librarians and information professionals can digitize, preserve, organize, and disseminate content and apply available technologies to practices in the field. This course focuses on current trends in digital libraries research and practice. The impact of digital libraries on society will be emphasized.

MLIS 7610 Information Policy 

Prerequisite or corequisite:  MLIS 7000.  Study of governmental information policy, with emphasis on the United States.  Issues include privacy, intellectual property, access to information, media deregulation, and networking initiatives.

MLIS 7650 Information and Ethics

Prerequisite or corequisite:  MLIS 7000.  An introduction to the basic ethical precepts of the information professions and the importance of ethics.  The course examines differences among ethical, legal, moral, and religious systems and includes a case-study methodology to explore ethical situations in the professional practice, drawing upon lessons offered by relevant professional organizations and their ethics codes.

MLIS 7680 Understanding Information Behavior

Prerequisite:  MLIS 7000. An exploration of concepts underlying our understanding of how human beings seek and utilize information within the context of contemporary library and information services. Information needs, information seeking, and information preferences from the library user perspective are examined. Provides foundational concepts useful for understanding reference interactions, library services, and technology use.

*MLIS 7700 Research Methods

Prerequisite:  MLIS 7000.  An introduction to the various approaches to social science research and research methods.  Students will perform small-scale research projects and develop skills in the research uses of libraries and the needs of library patrons.

MLIS 7710 Archival Theory and Issues

Prerequisite or corequisite:  MLIS 7000.  An introduction to archival theory and practice.  The course explores archival history and the profession, including legal issues, standards and ethics, terminology and concepts, research tools, and methods and practice.

MLIS 7730 Preservation Management

Prerequisite or corequisite:  MLIS 7000. An introduction to the fundamental principles of libraries and archives preservation. It covers the nature and deterioration of library materials, collection care, analog and digital reformatting, conservation considerations, disaster planning, and issues in digital preservation.

MLIS 7740 Rare Book Librarianship

Prerequisite or corequisite:  MLIS 7000. A foundation in the principles and practices of rare book librarianship. Topics include book collecting, acquisitions and access, support for teaching and research, professional competencies, programming, preservation, ethics, and current issues and trends.

*MLIS 7800 Capstone

Taken during the final semester of study.  Required for partial fulfillment of the requirements for the MLIS degree.  Emphasis will be on synthesis of knowledge, honing writing and presentation skills, and creating a professional development plan.

MLIS 7950 Independent Study in Library and Information Science

Prerequisite or corequisite:  MLIS 7000, consent of advisor, and consent of the instructor.  Supervised readings in areas of library and information science not normally available in regular course offerings, with regular conferences between instructor and student. See course guidelines for detailed information.

 MLIS 7960 Supervised Fieldwork

MLIS 7970 Libraries and Literacy in History

Also offered as HIST 7970.  An exploration of the development of reading, writing, and information management from the proto-literate stages of the ancient Near East to the present computer age.  Intellectual foundations of research and librarianship will be emphasized in their historical context.

MLIS 7995- 7999 Special Topics in Library and Information Sciences

Prerequisite or corequisite: at the discretion of the instructor.  Advanced study of specific issues in library and information science.  Course may be repeated under different topics.