*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

Prerequisite or corequisite:  MLIS 7300 or MLIS 7520 or consent of the instructor.  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 7111 Information Retrieval in the Health Sciences

An introduction to information retrieval in the physical sciences, computer-based technologies, and medicine. The course syllabus will also address information organization and publication models uniquely used by scientists, technologists, and health sciences professionals.

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 7130 Humanities Information Services

Prerequisite:  MLIS 7100 or consent of the instructor.  Examination of processes and resources used to provide reference services in the humanities disciplines.  The fields of art, communications, literature, languages, linguistics, music, philosophy, religion, and theatre will be considered.

MLIS 7150 Social Sciences Information Services

Prerequisite:  MLIS 7100.  Examination of social science information domains and information resources, including the structures and bibliographies of the disciplines in electronic and print format.  Various information formats are examined, and appropriate search and retrieval methods are explored.

MLIS 7170 Health Sciences Librarianship

An overview of the environments in which health sciences librarians practice. Aspects of those environments will include characteristics of clientele and their unique information needs; communication within a health sciences organization; collection development in a specialized professional setting; standards, regulations, and certifications affecting credentialing and accreditation; and paradigms in clinical practice and health sciences education.

MLIS 7180 Library Services for Patrons with Special Needs

Prerequisite or corequisite:  MLIS 7000.  Disability issues in libraries, with a particular emphasis on visual disabilities.  Obtaining funding and providing services for patrons with special needs will be emphasized

*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 or consent of the instructor.  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 or consent of the instructor.  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 or consent of the instructor. 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 or consent of the instructor.  An examination of the administration and context of special libraries and information centers.  Management, user services, technical services, collections, facilities, and marketing are addressed.

MLIS 7240 Marketing Library Services  

Prerequisite or corequisite:  MLIS 7200 or consent of the instructor.  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 or consent of the instructor.  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 7270 Information Management

Also offered as PADM 7110.  A survey of the issues and problems of information management.  Emphasis is on modern developments in the generation, storage, classification and transmission of information vital to the management of public organizations.

*MLIS 7300 Cataloging and Classification 

Prerequisite or corequisite: MLIS 7000.  An introduction to the organization of recordable knowledge, with emphasis on library cataloging and classification.  Students will examine current applications of Anglo-American Cataloguing Rules, MARC formats, Library of Congress and Sears Subject Headings, Dewey Decimal Classification, and Library of Congress Classification.  Metadata initiatives and the interpretation of technical documentation will be considered.

MLIS 7330 Cataloging the Web 

Prerequisite:  MLIS 7300 or consent of the instructor.  Methodologies and metadata developed for cataloging the Web and other digital collections, including MARC, archival XML systems, Dublin Core, and CORC.

MLIS 7350 Advanced Cataloging

Prerequisite:  MLIS 7300 or consent of the instructor.  Advanced study of the theory and practice of providing description and access to library materials.  Cataloging of non-print materials, serials, and integrating sources will be included.

MLIS 7355 Advanced Classification

Prerequisite:  MLIS 7300 or consent of the instructor.  Advanced study of the subject classification of recordable knowledge.  Verbal and numeric approaches, including Library of Congress and Dewey Decimal classification schemes, and the principles of thesaurus construction will be considered.

MLIS 7360 Indexing and Abstracting

The principles and practices of creating indexes and abstracts of information and knowledge resources.  Varying types of indexes and abstracts, evaluation of software aids, and professional opportunities for indexers and abstractors will be considered.

MLIS 7370 Information Architecture

Prerequisite or corequisite:  MLIS 7000 or consent of instructor.  Theory and techniques of designing Web sites for effective information delivery.  Study of organization, labeling, navigation, and indexing systems included.

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

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 7300 or MLIS 7400 or consent of instructor.  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 7500 Computer Applications for Information Professionals

A study of concepts, applications, issues, and trends for information professionals. Topics include hardware and software, networks and the Internet, data security, digital media, database basics, and programming basics. The impact of information technologies on libraries and information centers is emphasized.

MLIS 7505 Applied Technologies in Library Practice

A survey of the technologies defining or influencing library practice, with an emphasis on exemplary cases of applications.  Topics will include computer workstations, automated systems, networking and telecommunications, the Internet, digitization projects, program interfaces, information storage and retrieval, adaptive and assistive devices, security and privacy, and virtual user education.

MLIS 7520 Database Design for Informational Professionals

Prerequisite or corequisite:  MLIS 7000 or consent of instructor.  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 7550 Library Systems and Automation

Prerequisite or corequisite:  MLIS 7000 or consent of instructor.  Introduces fundamental concepts of computer systems automation in libraries and information centers. This course covers the historical context of applying computing systems to libraries, addresses the technologies behind integrated library systems, and surveys an array of topics related to management of automated computer systems.

MLIS 7580 Digital Libraries

Prerequisite or corequisite:  MLIS 7000 or consent of instructor.  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 or consent of instructor.  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 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

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 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

Prerequisite:  MLIS 7000, consent of advisor, and consent of instructor.  Graded “Satisfactory” or “Unsatisfactory.”  A minimum of 120 hours in an approved library or information center.  Learning objectives that are specific to the individual student’s interests and goals will be identified collaboratively by the student, the on-site supervisor, and the instructor. See course guidelines for detailed information.

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 7999 Special Topics in Library and Information Sciences

Prerequisite or corequisite:  MLIS 7000.  Advanced study of specific issues in library and information science.  Course may be repeated under different topics.