Program Requirements

First Semester

Course #Course TitleCreditsPrerequisites/Comments

103-102Microsoft Office Suite2The goal of this course is to provide an introduction to Microsoft Office Suite and how it is used in academic, personal, and business environments. The students will become familiar with the Office user interface and use it as they work with Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Outlook. Navigate the Office interface by using tabs, ribbons, and groups.

557-111Fnd of Library & Info Services3Fall only | Minimum grade of "C" required.This course introduces library science, libraries, and the various services they are charged with providing. Library trends, their role in the community or institution, and governing relationships will be presented. In addition, the importance of customer service, career types, and career readiness will be discussed. Students will begin development of a digital portfolio repository for their program coursework which will be a valuable tool in employment-seeking.

557-127Outreach & Community Services3Minimum grade of "C" required.This course provides an overview of services that libraries offer to communities or institutions. Emphasis will be placed on the importance of customer service, the reference interview, evaluating sources, library programming, readers’ advisory, the growing role of technology in libraries, assisting patrons with their technology needs, and providing outreach and programming services to the public. Also covered is current trends, challenges, and controversies that libraries encounter when providing services to patrons.

801-136English Composition 13This course is designed for learners to develop knowledge and skills in all aspects of the writing process. Planning, organizing, writing, editing, and revising are applied through a variety of activities. Students will analyze audience and purpose, use elements of research and format documents using standard guidelines. Individuals will develop critical reading skills through analysis of various written documents.

890-115Online Success Strategies1In this course you will learn how to be successful in an online learning environment. You will explore the common characteristics of successful online learners as well as barriers to learning and how to overcome them. The concept of an online learning community will be examined and demonstrated through participation.

557-113Basic Public Library Admin3Fall only | Minimum grade of "C" required.This course introduces an overview of public library administration. Emphasis will be on library terminology, library structures, basic daily operations including budgeting, patron-staff interactions, challenges and controversies of libraries in the community, library infrastructures, and providing exceptional customer service.

557-115School Library Principles3Fall only | 557-111 and (557-129 or 890-115) with a "C" or better | Minimum grade of "C" required.This course provides an introduction to libraries in an educational setting with a focus on public school libraries or media centers. Working with children and young adults in a learning environment, promoting a positive learning environment, managing behavior, and working with diverse students will be emphasized in this course. Emerging trends, structures, digital collections and challenges will also be discussed.

TOTAL CREDITS:15 

Second Semester

Course #Course TitleCreditsPrerequisites/Comments

557-117Managing & Org Collections3Spring only | Minimum grade of "C" required.This course provides an examination of library's collections. Emphasis will be placed on library classification systems, cataloging according to specific classification system, the ILS's role in cataloging, and understanding OCLC and local shared resources. Explores collection development including criteria for selection/de-selection as well as the associated challenges.

557-121Fund of Access Services3Spring only | 557-111 and (557-129 or 890-115) with a "C" or betterThis course provides an introduction to the fundamentals and emerging trends of access services in a library. An overview of circulation processes and procedures, the ILS, stacks management, course reserves, interlibrary loan and document delivery will be covered. Explores the role of customer service, maintaining patron privacy, and working with patrons from diverse backgrounds. The course will also cover access service barriers, ways to reduce barriers for library customers and safety and security trends in libraries.

801-196Oral/Interpersonal Comm3Focuses on developing effective listening techniques and verbal and nonverbal communication skills through oral presentation, group activity, and other projects. The study of self, conflict, and cultural contexts will be explored, as well as their impact on communication.

809-172Introduction to Diversity Studies3This is a course that draws from several disciplines to reaffirm the basic American values of justice and equality by teaching a basic vocabulary, a history of immigration and conquest, principles of transcultural communication, legal liability and the value of aesthetic production to increase the probability of respectful encounters among people. In addition to an analysis of majority/minority relations in a multicultural context, the topics of ageism, sexism, gender differences, sexual orientation, the disabled and the American Disability Act (ADA) are explored. Ethnic relations are studied in global and comparative perspectives.

557-125Children's Literature & Srvs3Spring onlyThis course introduces children’s literature and related services in a variety of library types and educational settings. Emphasis will be on evaluating and selecting children’s literature, developing engaging displays and activities, incorporating technologies and media into children's services, and presenting children's library materials. Trends, challenges, controversies, and barriers will also be discussed. The scope of this course is children ages 0 to 11.

557-143Adult Literature & Services3Spring onlyThis course introduces adult literature, programming and related services in a variety of library types. Emphasis will be on evaluating, assessing, and selecting adult materials, providing readers' advisory and reading lists, incorporating technologies and media. Trends, challenges, controversies, and barriers will also be discussed.

TOTAL CREDITS:15 

Third Semester

Course #Course TitleCreditsPrerequisites/Comments

557-131Young Adult Literature & Srvs3Fall only | 557-111 and (557-129 or 890-115) with a "C" or betterThis course introduces young adult literature and related services in a variety of library types and educational settings. Emphasis will be on evaluating, assessing, and selecting young adult materials, providing readers' advisory and reading lists, incorporating technologies and media to engage young adults, and leaving an impactful impression of library services for the future. Trends, challenges, controversies, and barriers will also be discussed. The scope of this course is young adults ages 12 to 18.

557-133Fund of Reference Services3Fall only | 557-111 and (557-129 or 890-115) with a "C" or betterThis course provides an introduction to the fundamentals of reference and the role of instructional services. An overview of reference services will be examined while providing excellent customer service and follow-through to patrons. Emphasis on using electronic databases, OPACs, open educational resources, compiling bibliographies, examining patron feedback, and interpreting reference questions through the reference interview process.

557-134Library and Web Technologies3Fall only | 103-102 and 557-111 and 890-115 with a "C" or betterThis course examines the use of physical, digital, and web technologies in libraries. Topics explored include the responsible use of technology, the digital landscape, productivity tools, technology solutions, data-driven decision making, virtual libraries, and future technologies.

557-148Information Literacy3Fall only | 557-111 and (557-129 or 890-115) with a "C" or betterThis course examines the role of information literacy in libraries and educational settings. Students will strengthen their own research skills by collaborating, evaluating, and communicating information with digital tools and resources, while learning to lead inquiry-based learning experiences that enable library users to become critical thinkers and effective, responsible users of ideas and information.

809-198Intro to Psychology3This introductory course in psychology is a survey of the multiple aspects of human behavior. It involves a survey of the theoretical foundations of human functioning in such areas as learning, motivation, emotions, personality, deviance and pathology, physiological factors, and social influences. Additional topics include research methods, biological and environmental impacts, development, sensation and perception, consciousness, intelligence and stress. This course directs the student to an insightful understanding of the complexities of human relationships in personal, social, and vocational settings.

TOTAL CREDITS:15 

Fourth Semester

Course #Course TitleCreditsPrerequisites/Comments

557-141Library Mentorship3Spring only | 557-111 and 557-121 and (557-134 or 557-123) and 557-133 and 557-117 with a "C" or betterThe LIS practicum provides hands-on experience under the mentorship of experienced librarians or library staff. Students are expected to complete 120 hours of service at an approved library location and engage in a concentration of interest to gain valuable work experience. This course will also prepare students for work in libraries by completing a resume, portfolio, cover letter, and practicing interviewing techniques. It is expected that the candidates will have successfully completed all the prerequisite program courses and had a mentorship proposal approved prior to placement.

557-145Fundamentals of Tech Services3Spring only | 557-111 and 557-117 and (557-129 or 890-115) with a "C" or betterThis course provides an introduction to the fundamentals and emerging trends of technical services in a library. An overview of acquisitions, processing and maintaining print materials, managing electronic collections, and maintaining serials subscriptions will be covered. Explores basic terminology related to technical services and related general policies and procedures.

557-149Info Ethics & Legal Issues3Spring only | 557-111 and (557-129 or 890-115) with a "C" or betterThis course introduces you to ethical and legal issues related to information use and dissemination in libraries and society. You will examine the library profession's stance on intellectual freedom and censorship; ethical and legal theories of information; professional ethics and law; copyright and intellectual property; and security and privacy issues.

804-134Mathematical Reasoning3All college students, regardless of their college major, need to be able to make reasonable decisions about fiscal, environmental, and health issues that require quantitative reasoning skills. An activity based approach is used to explore numerical relationships, graphs, proportional relationships, algebraic reasoning, and problem solving using linear, exponential and other mathematical models. Students will develop conceptual and procedural tools that support the use of key mathematical concepts in a variety of contexts. This course may be used as the first of a two part sequence that ends with Quantitative Reasoning as the capstone general education math requirement.

557-136Advanced School Libraries3Spring only | 557-115This course provides a more in-depth view of school libraries, including administration of school library programs. Students will build their capacity to develop learning experiences, build collections, and provide an equitable environment for diverse student populations. Students will also practice collaboration, leadership, and advocacy.

557-147Advanced Public Library Admin3Spring only | 557-113 with a "C" or better | Minimum grade of "C" required.This course provides a more in-depth view of public library administration. Emphasis will be on leading staff and volunteers, forming partnerships, basic legal issues related to public library services, the role of continuing education in the community, creating awareness and marketing libraries, managing change in the workplace, and advocating for the Library.

TOTAL CREDITS:15