LIBR 241-01
Automated Library Systems
Spring 2009 Greensheet

Dan Fuller
E-mail
Office Location:
PLS 56 (Fullerton); Clark Hall 405 (San José)
Office Hours: Virtual Office hours are 8:00 PM to 9:00 PM on Thursday evenings using Elluminate software. Face to face and phone meetings by appointment


Greensheet Links
Textbooks and Readings
Course Requirements
Resources
ANGEL
ANGEL Tutorials
iSchool eBookstore
 

The content for the course is managed through Angel. Students must self-enroll for this course on Angel between January 20 and January 31, 2009. You will be required to use a password access code. The code will be provided to you via the MySJSU Messaging system.

Course Description

Review of major systems for library automation. Problems associated with the planning, implementation and use of the systems, negotiation of systems acquisition, and trends in the field are studied.

Course Prerequisites: Students will have completed the new student technology workshop and have the specified minimum hardware and software plus a high speed Internet connection to participate fully in the course.

Course Objectives

Student Learning Outcomes

  • To develop basic knowledge of the components of automated library systems
  • To develop basic knowledge of the management issues involved in automating library functions
  • To analyze the uses of information technology in library processing functions
  • To understand the complex computing and telecommunications infrastructure in which libraries exist
  • To develop a technical vocabulary for reading a substantial body of literature on topics related to information technology for libraries
  • To practice hands on research techniques applicable to library and information organizations

LIBR 241 supports the following SLIS Core Competencies:

  • apply the fundamental principles of planning, management and marketing/advocacy;
  • demonstrate proficiency in the use of current information and communication technologies, and other related technologies, as they affect the resources and uses of libraries and other types of information providing entities;
  • evaluate programs and services on specified criteria.

In addition, this section supports the following SLIS Core Competencies:

  • Understand the nature of research, research methods and research findings; retrieve, evaluate and synthesize scholarly and professional literature for informed decision-making by specific client groups.

See the competencies at:
http://ischool.sjsu.edu/slis/competencies.htm

Course Requirements

Assignments
These are the general assignments for the course. Please see course outline each week and the assignments tab on the Blackboard Web page for specific assignment details, including due dates. Each assignment has a rubric and it is found on the Blackboard Web page under the assignments tab. The total number of points for the class is 400.

Number Assignment % of Points
1 Introduction and Survey (January 29) 5%
2 Functionality Assessment 1 (February 18) 7.5%
3 Functionality Assessment 2 (March 8) 17.5%
4 Evaluation of Library Web Pages (April 8) 17.5%
5 Technology Plan Class Presentation (Group Project) (May 7) 25%
6 Research Paper (May 13) 25%
7 Class participation (May 13) 2.5%

Course Calendar
Course meeting dates:

Virtual class meetings using Elluminate software:

  • January 29 - Introduction and Overview
  • February 19 - Evaluation of Automated Library Systems
  • March 5 - Technology Planning
  • April 2 - Technology Systems Issues
  • April 23 - Protecting Automated Library Systems
  • May 7 - Group Presentations

The general topics included in the class meetings:

  • Working in Teams
  • Project Management
  • Technology in Libraries
  • Management theories and management style
  • Technology Evaluation Issues
  • Technology Planning Process
  • Human Behavior and Technology
  • Cyber Safety
  • Evaluation of system functionality

Assignment due dates are found in the course Angel site. All assignments are due by midnight of the due date.

Grading
Everyone begins the class with a grade of “B”, the standard grade for graduate level work. Students who complete the assignments, use the class Angel site, attend the face to face class meetings, and participate in the discussions will receive the B provided the quality of written work meets the standard of rigorous scholarly work for the University. Above standard work is defined as clearly displays one of more of the following criteria:

  • Originality in the approach to the assignment
  • Greater depth of analysis that the written assignment expects
  • Critical evaluation readings by comparing them to other authors or sources
  • Ability to organize information for themselves and others plus create tools for life long learning and knowledge retrieval

Grade Penalties
Penalties are also assessed in the following situations:

  • Errors in spelling, grammar and syntax will be subject to a grade penalty.
  • Evidence of plagiarism will result in a grade of F for the course.

Late Work
All course work to be completed by May 20, 2009
Penalty for late or missed work – Automatic 5% deduction

Other Relevant Information
Attendance at the all day classes is vital to success in this course because a number of cooperative learning/group activities will occur in class and a great deal of material will be covered during each class session. Virtual classroom sessions (TBD) may be conducted also. Participation in online group projects, in class and in Blackboard discussion forums is crucial. Reading/viewing/listening to required materials will enhance your ability to participate in these discussions. Check Blackboard regularly for updates.

General Expectations
All students must:

  • have the minimal home computing environment as described at http://ischool.sjsu.edu/ecommunication/homecomputing.htm
  • Enroll in the course in Angel to receive communications from the instructor by the seventh day of the term.
  • Complete the online survey after enrolling in the class.
  • Submit all assignments electronically. The following scheme is required for the files: [Course Number]_[Student’s Last Name]_[Assignment Number]. Example: If the students last name is Smith use 241_Smith_A1.doc. Failure to utilize this format results in point deductions.
  • Consecutively number pages of assignments with the student’s name and the name of the assignment in the footer of each page.
  • Type or key coursework using Microsoft Word, double-spaced and in 12 point font.
  • Use a current virus protection program to scan all assignments before they are submitted electronically to Blackboard and to the instructor.
  • Use The Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, Fifth edition, as the official style manual for formats, citations, and bibliography.

Textbooks and Readings

Required Textbooks:

  • Kochtanek, T., & Matthews, J. (2002). Library information systems: From library automation to distributed information access solutions. Libraries Unlimited. Available through Amazon: 1591580188. arrow gif indicating link outside sjsu domain


Grading Scale

The standard SJSU School of Information Grading Scale is utilized for all iSchool courses:

97 to 100 A
94 to 96 A minus
91 to 93 B plus
88 to 90 B
85 to 87 B minus
82 to 84 C plus
79 to 81 C
76 to 78 C minus
73 to 75 D plus
70 to 72 D
67 to 69 D minus
Below 67 F

 

In order to provide consistent guidelines for assessment for graduate level work in the School, these terms are applied to letter grades:

  • C represents Adequate work; a grade of "C" counts for credit for the course;
  • B represents Good work; a grade of "B" clearly meets the standards for graduate level work;
    For core courses in the MLIS program (not MARA) — INFO 200, INFO 202, INFO 204 — the iSchool requires that students earn a B in the course. If the grade is less than B (B- or lower) after the first attempt you will be placed on administrative probation.  You must repeat the class the following semester. If -on the second attempt- you do not pass the class with a grade of B or better (not B- but B) you will be disqualified.
  • A represents Exceptional work; a grade of "A" will be assigned for outstanding work only.

Students are advised that it is their responsibility to maintain a 3.0 Grade Point Average (GPA).

University Policies

General Expectations, Rights and Responsibilities of the Student

As members of the academic community, students accept both the rights and responsibilities incumbent upon all members of the institution. Students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with SJSU's policies and practices pertaining to the procedures to follow if and when questions or concerns about a class arises. See University Policy S90-5 at http://www.sjsu.edu/senate/docs/S90-5.pdf. More detailed information on a variety of related topics is available in the SJSU catalog at http://info.sjsu.edu/web-dbgen/catalog/departments/LIS.html. In general, it is recommended that students begin by seeking clarification or discussing concerns with their instructor. If such conversation is not possible, or if it does not serve to address the issue, it is recommended that the student contact the Department Chair as a next step.

Dropping and Adding

Students are responsible for understanding the policies and procedures about add/drop, grade forgiveness, etc. Refer to the current semester's Catalog Policies section at http://info.sjsu.edu/static/catalog/policies.html. Add/drop deadlines can be found on the current academic year calendars document on the Academic Calendars webpage at http://www.sjsu.edu/provost/services/academic_calendars/. The Late Drop Policy is available at http://www.sjsu.edu/aars/policies/latedrops/policy/. Students should be aware of the current deadlines and penalties for dropping classes.

Information about the latest changes and news is available at the Advising Hub at http://www.sjsu.edu/advising/.

Consent for Recording of Class and Public Sharing of Instructor Material

University Policy S12-7, http://www.sjsu.edu/senate/docs/S12-7.pdf, requires students to obtain instructor's permission to record the course and the following items to be included in the syllabus:

  • "Common courtesy and professional behavior dictate that you notify someone when you are recording him/her. You must obtain the instructor's permission to make audio or video recordings in this class. Such permission allows the recordings to be used for your private, study purposes only. The recordings are the intellectual property of the instructor; you have not been given any rights to reproduce or distribute the material."
    • It is suggested that the syllabus include the instructor's process for granting permission, whether in writing or orally and whether for the whole semester or on a class by class basis.
    • In classes where active participation of students or guests may be on the recording, permission of those students or guests should be obtained as well.
  • "Course material developed by the instructor is the intellectual property of the instructor and cannot be shared publicly without his/her approval. You may not publicly share or upload instructor generated material for this course such as exam questions, lecture notes, or homework solutions without instructor consent."

Academic integrity

Your commitment, as a student, to learning is evidenced by your enrollment at San Jose State University. The University Academic Integrity Policy F15-7 at http://www.sjsu.edu/senate/docs/F15-7.pdf requires you to be honest in all your academic course work. Faculty members are required to report all infractions to the office of Student Conduct and Ethical Development. The Student Conduct and Ethical Development website is available at http://www.sjsu.edu/studentconduct/.

Campus Policy in Compliance with the American Disabilities Act

If you need course adaptations or accommodations because of a disability, or if you need to make special arrangements in case the building must be evacuated, please make an appointment with me as soon as possible, or see me during office hours. Presidential Directive 97-03 at http://www.sjsu.edu/president/docs/directives/PD_1997-03.pdf requires that students with disabilities requesting accommodations must register with the Accessible Education Center (AEC) at http://www.sjsu.edu/aec to establish a record of their disability.

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