LIBR 230-02
LIBR 230-11
Issues in Academic Libraries
Fall 2009 Greensheet

Jennifer Campbell-Meier
E-mail
Skype: campbell.meier
Phone: (770)871-0806
Office Hours: Vitrual office hours


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

This is an online course with all course materials delivered via the class Angel site. You will be able to self-enroll in the LIBR 230 Angel class between August 22 and August 28. The access code will be sent via the MYSJSU messaging system after August 22.

The weekly class sessions run from Monday through Sunday. The first week of class will begin on Monday, August 24. You should be enrolled by August 28.

Course Description

This course will investigate current issues that impact the functioning of the academic library. Topics covered will include issues related to social and political environments, clientele, services, collections, physical settings, financing and staffing, and future trends in the academic library sector.

Course Prerequisites LIBR 200, LIBR 204

Course Objectives

To understand the organization, structure and economics of American Postsecondary Education; to discuss concepts and issues related to libraries in postsecondary institutions, aka academic libraries. Students will:

  • Explain the role of academic libraries in post-secondary institutions.
  • Describe concepts and issues related to academic libraries in post-secondary institutions.
  • Analyze and evaluate research related to academic librarianship.
  • Apply critical thinking and analytical methods to the solution of problems related to academic libraries.

LIBR 230 supports the following SLIS Core Competencies:

  • compare the environments and organizational settings in which library and information professionals practice;
  • recognize the social, cultural and economic dimensions of information use;
  • use service concepts, principles and techniques that facilitate information access, relevance, and accuracy for individuals or groups of users.

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

  • demonstrate oral and written communication skills necessary for group work, collaborations and professional level presentations;
  • evaluate programs and services on specified criteria

http://ischool.sjsu.edu/slis/competencies.htm

Course Requirements

Coursework
Each week, students will be responsible for course content posted within ANGEL – readings, activities, scenarios and discussions.

Assignments
Students are required to complete the following assignments:

  • 5 exercises
    • The exercises provide an opportunity to analyze, synthesize, and evaluate literature related to traditional and contemporary issues in different types of academic library environments.
  • Student articles/discussion
    • Students will post an article and supply 2-3 questions about the article for discussion (a sign-up sheet for dates will be posted). At the end of the week, the student responsible for the discussion will summarize the comments. Throughout the course, students must respond to a minimum of 15 questions with a thoughtful response and a minimum of 5 postings.
  • Final Project
    • Based on a scenario provided, students will identify the services, staffing and collections needed for a new library. Each group will record a 25-40 minute elluminate session for the project and post related materials in ANGEL.
    • Each group will then provide a peer review of the other projects. The 3-5 page review will act as an executive summary, identifying the strengths and weakness of the other alternatives.

Evaluation


Points
Due Dates
Class Participation/Weekly Course Content 10 As assigned
Exercises (6 @ 10 points each) 60

Bi-Weekly

Article Discussion 5 As assigned
Final Project

  • Group Presentation
  • Group Peer Review
 

20
5
 

Dec. 5
Dec. 11

Textbooks and Readings

Required Textbook:

  • Budd, J. M. (2005). The changing academic library: Operations, culture, environments (ACRL publications in librarianship). ALA. Available through Amazon: 0838983189. arrow gif indicating link outside sjsu domain

Recommended Textbook:

  • Hernon, P., & Rossiter, N. (2006). Making a difference: Leadership and academic libraries. Libraries Unlimited. Available through Amazon: 1591582911. arrow gif indicating link outside sjsu domain
  • Wood, E.J., Miller, R., & Knapp, A. (2006). Beyond survival: Managing academic libraries in transition. Libraries Unlimited. Available through Amazon: 1591583373. 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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