Instructor: donna Bair-Mundy
Office: Hamilton 003-B
Voicemail: 956-9518
Fax: (808) 956-5835
Email: donnab@hawaii.edu
Office hours: Tuesday 4:00 - 5:00 pm, or by appt.
Web page: http://www2.hawaii.edu/~donnab/lis610

Course Description

Lecture/discussion on role of libraries, their social utility in information societies. History and future of libraries in changing technological world. Information professions, information ethics, intellectual freedom, intellectual property, information access, national/international library developments.

Prerequisite: None

Student Learning Objectives

This introductory survey course addresses the following objectives of the LIS Program, enabling students to:

SLO 1

Understand, apply and articulate the history, philosophy, principles and ethics of library and information science and the related professions.

1a) Apply LIS theory and principles to diverse information contexts

1b) Demonstrate understanding of the historical context of information services and systems

1c) Develop and apply critical thinking skills in preparation for professional practice

1d) Craft and articulate a professional identity

SLO 2

Develop, administrate, assess, and advocate for information services by exercising principled communication, teamwork and leadership skills.

2b) Work effectively in teams

SLO 5

Engage in projects and assignments dealing with multicultural communities and representing diverse points of view.

5a) Communicate and collaborate with diverse colleagues, information seekers and community stakeholders

Course Learning Objectives

This is an introductory survey course, enabling students to:

  1. Become acquainted with a variety of aspects of their chosen profession;
  2. Develop an understanding of the relationships and roles that libraries and comparable information agencies fulfill in the larger society, throughout history and into the future;
  3. Develop capacities for critical thinking, particularly in viewing major social issues and problems of concern to the profession;
  4. Gain experience in making informative presentations to colleagues on topics of interest to the profession;
  5. Gain experience in accessing information structure and assessing its uses;
  6. On a personal level, to understand the potential scope and dimensions of the careers for which they are preparing, in order to perceive their own pathways to meaningful and rewarding work.

LIS Research Methodologies

Research is an important part of the work and expertise of modern LIS professionals. This course utilizes the following research methods:

Teaching Method

Primary emphasis is on wide reading, group discussion, and critical analysis. Oral and written assignments are designed to promote these activities. The assignment due dates are on the course schedule. Attendance and constructive participation are required.

Requirements

Readings

Textbook:
Rubin, Richard E. 2010. Foundations of library and information science. 3rd ed. New York: Neal Schuman.

Articles:

Many of the articles are available as pdf files through the University of Hawai`i Library Web site. Point your browser to http://uhmanoa.lib.hawaii.edu/webvoy.htm. Click on "Course Reserves." From the list of courses select "LIS: 610" and click on the "Search" button. Follow the instructions regarding the .pdf settings for your browser. When you select the first article to be viewed the system will ask you to log in using your UH user id and password before proceeding.

Other articles are available elsewhere on the World Wide Web. Additional required readings will be announced in class. Please refer to the LIS 610 course bibliography for citation data.

Assignments and Grading

Assignments: Grading Scale:

99-100 (outstanding work) = A+ 92-98 = A 90-91 = A-
89 = B+ 82-88 = B 80-81 = B-
79 = C+ 72-78 = C 70-71 = C-
69 = D+ 62-68 = D 60-61 = D-

Technology Requirements

This course requires you to use a computer to produce all of the written assignments. Computers are available in the LIS area and in computer laboratories around campus.

You'll need to obtain and use your free UHUNIX email account to subscribe to lis-stu (our internal mail list for students) and to create your e-portfolio. This is free for all UH students.

Students are expected to use the Internet to explore the issues presented in the course. This includes subscribing to at least two online discussion groups, locating and studying World Wide Web resources pertinent to course topics, and writing reports integrating these activities.

Course Schedule
(Subject to change)


Introduction
Session Date Topics Assignments due
1 Jan. 12 Getting to know you;
Introduction to the course
Student introductions


Unit I: Understanding our users: information-seeking, user needs, and user interests
Session Date Topics Assignments due
2 Jan. 19 Library use & users
Assignment:
Informal Library Use Survey results due
Required readings:
Rubin Chapt. 1;
ALA. 2011. The state of America's libraries. Public libraries;
ALA. 2011. The state of America's libraries. Outreach and diversity
Suggested readings:
ALA. 2006. : Attitudes toward Public Libraries Survey (41 KB .pdf file);
Koontz, et al. 2005. Neighborhood-based in-library use performance measures for public libraries : A nationwide study of majority-minority and majority white/low income markets using personal digital data collectors;
Scheppke. 1994.
Who's using the public library? (for comparison)
3 Jan. 26 Information as a user construct;
User needs and information seeking behavior;
Video: "From information to wisdom?"
Required readings:
Rubin, pp. 271-282 (Ch. 7, § I - IIIA);
Dervin, Brenda. 1983. Information as a user construct (e-reserve)
Suggested reading:
Wilson, T.D. 1999. Models in information behaviour research (e-reserve)
4 Feb. 2 Information-seeking behavior (continued);
Creating user-friendly information management systems
Required readings:
Rubin, pp. 282-301 (Ch. 7, § IIIB - V);
Nahl. 2001. A conceptual framework for explaining information behavior
Suggested reading:
Sprink & Cole. 2006. Human information behavior (e-reserve)
Group Report:
Olsson. 2009. Re-thinking our concept of users (e-reserve)
(Presenters: Erin and Kawena)


Unit II: From Past to Present: The History and Mission of Libraries
Session
Date
Topics Assignments due
5 Feb. 9 Historic and modern missions of libraries;
types of libraries and information work;
YouTube video:
Biblioburro;
Biblioburro update
Required readings:
Rubin pp. 35-52 (Ch. 2, § I - IIID)
Suggested reading:
Hafner & Sterling-Folker. 1993. Democratic ideals and the American public library. (e-reserve)
Group Report:
Types of information work:
1) Medical libraries;
(Presenters: Frankie and Sandy)
6
Feb. 16
Libraries and information work in the Pacific—
Guest speakers: Stuart Dawrs and Eleanor Kleiber;
Shaping new missions
Required readings:
Rubin, pp. 52-70 (Ch. 2, § IIIE - V);
Peacock. 2004. Blue-Light Special: The Pacific Collection, Hamilton Library, UH (e-reserve);
Murgatroyd & Calvert. 2006. Academic libraries in the South Pacific (e-reserve)
Suggested reading:
Rubin Chapter 5
Group Report:
Types of information work:
1) Academic libraries
2) Special libraries: Theological library
(Presenters: Lee and Tamara)
3) Digital & virtual libraries


Unit III: The roles of libraries and information workers in society.
Session Date Topics Assignments due
7
Feb. 23
Social responsibilities;
Roles of the library;
Redefining the role of libraries in light of technological changes
Assignment:
First paper due
Required readings:
Rubin Chapter 6;
Willingham. 2008. Libraries as civic agents (e-reserve);
ALA. Library bill of rights
Group reports:
(1) Berninghausen 1993. Social Responsibility vs. the Library Bill of Rights (e-reserve);
and
Wedgeworth, et al. 1993. The Berninghausen debate (e-reserve);
(Presenters: Roberta and Meagan)

(2) Hitchcock. 2005. An examination of article two of the Library Bill of Rights (e-reserve)
(Presenters: DeHanza and Alex)
8
March 1
Guest speaker: Gwen Sinclair;
Ranganathan's Five Laws
Required readings:
Budd, J.M. 2003. The library, praxis, and symbolic power (e-reserve);
Finks. 1981. Ranganathan's Five laws of library science: their enduring appeal (e-reserve);
M. Gorman. 1995. Five new laws of librarianship (e-reserve)
Group reports:
Shera. 1972. "The Role of the Library in the Social Process" and "The Role of the Library in the Dissemination of Information" (e-reserve)
(Presenters: Sharrese and Ikaika)


Unit IV: International and comparative librarianship.
Session Date Topics Assignments due
9 Mar. 8 Guest speaker: Patricia Polansky (awarded the Medal of Pushkin from the government of Russia on November 11, 2011) on the "Past, present, and future of Russian libraries";
International and comparative librarianship;
Literacy
Required readings:
Bliss. 1995. International librarianship (e-reserve);
Kagan. 2008. An alternative view on IFLA (e-reserve)
Suggested reading:
Knuth. 1994. Five international organizations linking children and books (e-reserve)
Group report:
1) Marcum. 2002. Rethinking information literacy (e-reserve);
(Presenters: Lea Anna and Philip)


2) Mackey and Jacobson. 2011. Reframing information literacy as a meta literacy (e-reserve)


Unit V: The library and information professions
Session Date Topics Assignments due
10 Mar. 15 Guest speaker: Bron Solyom on "Working abroad;"
Education for the professions;
Accreditation and certification;
Standards & guidelines

Required readings:
Rubin, pp. 77-102 (Ch. 3, § I - III);
J. Robbins. 1990. Master's Degree from a program accredited by the American Library Association required (e-reserve);
Tees. 1987. Accreditation and Certification (e-reserve);
RUSA guidelines;
ALA. 2009. Core competencies
Suggested reading:
Pawley. 1998. Hegemony's handmaid? The library and information studies curriculum from a class perspective (e-reserve);
L. Buttlar & R. DuMont. 1996. Library and Information Science Competencies Revisited (e-reserve)
Group reports:
1) Thomas & Perritt. 2003. A higher standard (e-reserve)
and
Dickinson. 2004. National Board effects on school library media education (e-reserve);

2) Winston & Fisher. 2003. Leadership education for young adult librarians (e-reserve)
(Presenters: Monica and Elodie)
11 Mar. 22 Professional models for the twenty-first century;
Ethics
Assignment:
   Second paper due
Required readings:
Rubin, pp. 102-119 (Ch. 3, § IV - V);
Mason. 1990. What is an information professional? (e-reserve);
Virgo. 1983. Role of the association in developing professional competence (e-reserve)
Group reports:
1) White. 1990. Pseudo Libraries and Semi-Teachers (e-reserve);
(Presenters: Debby and Rachel)


2) McGuigan. 2011. Crisis of professionalism in public services (e-reserve)
(Presenters: Jennifer and Heather)
12 Apr. 5 Guest speaker: William Harrison, Esq., on the USA PATRIOT Act;
Values and ethics (including privacy);
Scenarios
Required readings:
Rubin, Chapter 10;
Symons & Stoffle. 1998. When values conflict;
ALA Intellectual Freedom Manual policy on confidentiality (e-reserve);
Gorman, Michael. 2001. Privacy in the digital environment
Suggested readings:
E. Wirth. 1996. The state of censorship;
Ang. 1999. Censorship and the Internet;
Gremmels, R. 1991. Reference in the public interest: an examination of ethics;
Stichler. 1992. On reforming ALA's Code of Ethics;
Mason, Mason, & Culnan. 1995. Information and responsibility: new ethical challenges
Group reports:
1) Bodi. 1998. Ethics and information technology;
(Presenters: Carrie and Stephanie)


2) Sheerin. 1991. Absolutism on access and confidentiality: principled or irresponsible? (e-reserve)


Unit VI: Information policy
Session Date Topics Assignments due
13
Apr. 12
Access;
Intellectual freedom;
National libraries
Required readings:
Rubin, pp. 309-332 (Ch. 8 § I - III);
Matz. 2008. Libraries and the USA PATRIOT Act (e-reserve);
McCook & Phenix. 2006. Public libraries and human rights (e-reserve)
Suggested reading:
Line. 1993. National libraries (e-reserve);
Group reports:
Library of Congress;
(Presenters: Jessica and Jenelle)
14 Apr. 19 National libraries (continued);
Copyright
Assignment:
e-portfolio due
Required readings:
Rubin, pp. 332-348 (Ch. 8 § IV);
Copyright basics (.pdf file);
Fair use;
Weiss & Shelfer. 2011. How copyright theory affects practices (e-reserve)
Suggested readings:
Reproductions of copyrighted works by educators and librarians, pp. 11-19;
Gasaway. 1996. Libraries, educational institutions, and copyright proprietors: the first collision on the information highway (e-reserve);
Mann. 1999. Reference service, human nature, copyright, and offsite service--in a 'digital age'? (e-reserve);
Line. 1993. National libraries;
Sorkin & Farley. 1998. National digital library (e-reserve)
Group reports:
National Library of Australia
(Presenters: Sarah and Joshua)


Unit VII: Into the future
Session Date Topics Assignments due
15 April 26 Guest speaker: Karen Hinton on Alternative Careers for Librarians: A Day in the Life of a ProQuest Trainer;
The future of books and libraries;
Video: Into the future... (if there is time)
Assignment:
Third paper due
Required readings:
Anderson. 2011. Collections 2021: the future of the library collection is not a collection; (e-reserve)
Barron [Google representative]. 2011. The library of the future: Google's vision for books (e-reserve);
Distad. 2011. The future of print: the book; (e-reserve)
Walter. 2011. "Distinctive signifiers of excellence": library services and the future of the academic library (e-reserve)
Suggested readings:
R. Cox. 1997. Taking sides on the future of the book (e-reserve);
Miksa. 1996. The cultural legacy of the 'modern library' for the future

If you need reasonable accommodations because of the impact of a disability, please:

  1. contact the Kokua Program by telephone (V/T) at 956-7511 or 956-7612 or in person at the Queen Lili`uokalani Center for Student Services building, room 013;
  2. speak with me privately to discuss your specific needs. I will be happy to work with you and the KOKUA Program to meet your access needs related to your documented disability.

Information about the Kokua Program is available online at: http://www.hawaii.edu/kokua/.


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