LIBR 220-11
Resources and Information Services in Professions and Disciplines
Topic: Library Services to Latinos 
Spring 2009 Greensheet

Jeff Paul
Project Manager - Librarians for Tomorrow
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library, SJSU
E-mail
Phone: (408)808-2636
Office Hours: Tuesday & Thursday 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. and by appointment. Please schedule appointment(s) in advance.


Greensheet Links
Textbooks and Readings
Course Requirements
Resources
ANGEL
ANGEL Tutorials
 

The instructor will enroll you in Angel for this course by January 14, 2009.

Course Description

This course focuses on developing skills for planning, implementing and evaluating programs for addressing the information needs of Latinos & Latinas. Included in readings and discussions are reviews of the major national, state and local studies.

Some of the topics that will be addressed include: the history of library services to Latinos & Latinas in the United States, the identification and analysis of demographic information and trends, community service needs assessment, information needs of users and non-users, traditional and non-traditional library service programs, outreach, community presence and partnerships, cultural conflict in the delivery of library services, mentoring and recruitment, advocacy, technology trends and challenges, the evaluation of collections/service programs and planning for the future.

Students are encouraged to develop their own specialized topics for investigation.

The class incorporates a mix of electronic discussions, readings and assignments. The question to be considered throughout the course: Are libraries effectively serving the information needs of Latinos in the communities they serve?

Prerequisite: LIBR 210

Course Objectives

At the completion of the course, the student will have:

  • Gained knowledge about the characteristics, problems, needs, interests and concerns of the Latino population by conducting a review of the literature and writing a research paper on this topic;
  • Developed methods for identifying appropriate resources and communication channels utilized in community outreach, publicity and promotion by completing readings on these topics and discussing them in Angel;
  • Investigated national and regional standards for library services to Latinos by completing required readings on these topics and discussing them in Angel;
  • Conducted an analysis and written a report on at least 3 web sources related to the Latino community;
  • Conducted an analysis and written a report on the demographics of a Latino community;
  • Visited, conducted a field trip and written a report that evaluates a library or community information agency that provides specialized services to Latinos;
  • Gained knowledge about regional and national standards and approaches to better serve the Latino community by conducting a review of the library literature and writing a literature review and term paper on the topic;
  • Investigated effective and responsive library services for Latinos;
  • Gained enhanced reference and information searching skills through the completion of two quizzes; and
  • Gained enhanced skills to establish a collection or increase diversity efforts & services for Latinos by completing required readings and discussing the findings in Angel.

This course supports the following SLIS Core Competencies:

  • articulate the ethics, values and foundational principles of library and information professionals and their role in the promotion of intellectual freedom;
  • compare the environments and organizational settings in which library and information professionals practice;
  • recognize the social, cultural and economic dimensions of information use;
  • apply the fundamental principles of planning, management and marketing/advocacy;
  • design, query and evaluate information retrieval systems;
  • use the basic concepts and principles related to the creation, evaluation, selection, acquisition, preservation and organization of specific items or collections of information;
  • 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;
  • use service concepts, principles and techniques that facilitate information access, relevance, and accuracy for individuals or groups of users;
  • describe the fundamental concepts of information-seeking behaviors;
  • 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;
  • demonstrate oral and written communication skills necessary for group work, collaborations and professional level presentations;
  • evaluate programs and services on specified criteria; and
  • contribute to the cultural, economic, educational and social well-being of our communities.

Course Requirements

Course Format
This is a web based course. Angel will be used for ALL course activities.  This class incorporates a mix of lecture, discussion, films, readings, assignments, student presentations and discussions via Angel. 

Expectations
Each student is expected to contribute substantive comments to the class discussion of weekly assignments and to complete assignments on or before deadline dates. Points will be deducted from assignments submitted after deadline.

Reformanet
It is highly recommended that every student in this class become a member of Reforma –The Association to Promote Library and Information Services to Latinos and the Spanish Speaking and receive Reformanet postings. Reforma membership information is available at http://www.reforma.org/MembershipForm2006.pdf. The cost for library student membership in Reforma is $5.00, which is usually waived the 1st year of membership. For additional information check the Reforma website http://www.reforma.org.

Grading Percentages

AssignmentDue DatePercentage of Grade
Class participation in discussionsongoing8%
Assignment 1 - Web Roots/Personal Background Statement2/01/095%
Assignment 2 - Critical Notes - Background Reading on the History of Latinos2/16/098%
Assignment 3 - Demographics3/01/098%
Assignment 4 - Analysis of Web Sites for Latinos3/15/098%
Assignment 5 - Field Trip/Visit & Evaluation of a Hispanic/Latino Library or Service Program3/30/098%
Assignment 6 - Critical Analysis of the Library Literature - Library Services to Latinos4/13/0910%
Assignment 7 - Quiz  #1 and #23/8/09 & 5/10/09

5% each /      10 total

Assignment 8 - Term Paper12/10/0935%

For additional details see Assignments & Grading/Weekly Outline pages.

Class participation includes contributions to discussions, exercises and activities in Angel. Students must respect one another’s opinions in Discussion Board threads regarding library services and issues related to bias, diversity, ageism, racism, gender orientation, homelessness & privilege.

Assignments must be submitted in paper or electronically as email attachments written using Microsoft Word and sent to the instructor.

Late assignments will not be accepted without prior notification and approval of the instructor and with the understanding that there may be a decrease in the number of points earned for the assignment.

Grading Policy
If you submit sub-standard work, you will receive a sub standard grade (B- or below).  If you submit above standard work, you will receive an above standard grade (B or better.)

Above standard work is defined as work that clearly displays one or more of the following criteria:

  • Originality in the approach to the assignment;
  • Greater depth or analysis of the subject matter;
  • Overall treatment of the assignment above and beyond what the assignment calls for;
  • Superior organizational, written, or communication skills in the presentation of the material.
  • Correct usage of academic English (or Spanish), spelling, grammar, and composition are expected.  Points will be deducted for failure to do so.

APA
Students are encouraged to use APA (5th edition) format for papers and assignments.
All assignments must be your own work with sources properly cited in papers.
San Jose State University codes and rules governing plagiarism are in effect.

Incompletes
SLIS discourages the awarding of an incomplete.  An incomplete is only supposed to be granted if a student has finished most of the work but has been hit with a serious medical or family emergency (such as death).  They should be able to provide supporting documentation. Not managing time efficiently or taking too many classes is not a reason to request an incomplete.

Textbooks and Readings

Please see Weekly Lesson Outline and Reading List for more information.  There is no required text. All required readings are available from King Library Electronic Reserves Module, via electronic full text databases and/or they will be posted on the Discussion Forum of Angel.



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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