COURSE CATALOG

LSC 551: Organization of Information
3 Credits (core requirement)

Introduction to the basic principles of information organization. Covers the nature, forms, and media of information and knowledge; the nature of user information needs and its implications for information organization; terms and concepts related to information organization; principles of information representation, authority control, and subject analysis; methods of information organization; classification principles, structures and applications, the use of controlled vocabulary and natural language for subject analysis; standards and filing systems.

LSC 553: Information Sources and Services
3 Credits (core requirement)

Introduction to the terminology, concepts, and practices for the provision of information services to meet effectively user needs in a variety of settings. Special emphasis on the reference process and the content, organization, use, and evaluation of resources in print and electronic formats. Covers the sources, policies, technologies, and systems that support access to and the retrieval of information central to reference services.

LSC 555: Information Systems in Libraries and Information Centers
3 Credits (core requirement)

Introduction to the role of information systems in the storage and retrieval of information. Covers information-seeking behavior and communication in electronic environments, with special emphasis on using systems to solve information problems. Explores the use of computers in information centers, library automation, database structure and design, search engines, and the Internet.

LSC 557: Libraries and Information in Society
3 Credits (core requirement)

The role of library and information institutions and professionals in contemporary society. Topics include historic patterns and future trends; the application of ethical and professional standards in a changing information environment; copyright; societal issues affecting libraries and librarians; information access and funding issues.

LSC 559: Storytelling
3 Credits

Introduction to storytelling techniques and materials in various genres, such as myth, folktale, tall tale and jump tale, and of various cultures. Includes student performances inside and outside of class. A course in children's literature is helpful background but not a requirement.

LSC 561: Oral History
3 Credits

Introduction to oral history as a primary source for historical research and popular writing. Techniques, legal and ethical issues involved in the creation, collection, evaluation, and organization of oral history. Training extends to practical aspects of interviewing and maintaining collections, including computer applications.

LSC 601: History of the Book
3 Credits

Historical overview of the impact of print in Europe and North America through studies of authorship, distribution, and use of manuscript, print, and electronic books. Addresses both physical aspects and social and cultural context of the production and circulation of books. May focus on a particular theme, geographic area, or time period.

LSC 603: Technical Services
3 Credits

Survey of current operations and techniques associated with the acquisition, organization for access, physical processing, and maintenance of library materials.

LSC 606: Cataloging and Classification
3 Credits

Covers the theory and practice of the organization of library materials. Focuses on knowledge and skills needed for cataloging monographs using AACR, OCLC, the Library of Congress Subject Headings, and the Dewey Decimal classification systems. Includes the cataloging of notebook materials and Internet resources, and provides a brief introduction to the Library of Congress Classification system. Prerequisite: 551

LSC 607: Management
3 Credits

Introduction to the management process and functions as applied to all types of libraries, archives, media, and information centers. Emphasizes management and organizational theories, concepts, and techniques, the planning process, and on the achievement of organizational goals through proper utilization of human resources. Prerequisite: 557

LSC 608: Collection Development
3 Credits

Principles and practices in selecting, evaluating, and managing collections in all types of libraries and information formats. Survey of factors affecting collection building: institutional goals, user characteristics and needs, the publishing industry, special characteristics of materials in particular subject fields, formats, and genres. Consideration of such topics as collection development policies, resource sharing, and digital collections.

LSC 609: Preservation
3 Credits

Introduction to the preservation of library and archival collections, including the nature of book and paper materials and how they deteriorate, options for dealing with deteriorated and vulnerable items, and management approaches to preservation, including disaster preparedness, preventive maintenance, microfilming and computer image management.

LSC 610: Internet Searches and Web Design: Tools and Technologies
3 Credits

This course is designed for students interested in becoming skilled searchers of Internet resources and creative designers of Web sites. It will cover Internet search tools, search engine architecture, search techniques and strategies, evaluation of information resources and applications of information architecture to web site design. Through exercises, discussions, lectures, projects and presentations students will learn the strengths and limitations of search tools and the principles of user-centered Web design. In addition, students will have hands-on practice with web site creation with HTML and Dynamic HTML. They will use HTML editors such as Netscape Composer and Dreamweaver and graphic tools such as GIF Construction Kit and Fireworks to create sites with interactivity. They will also learn the basics of placing databases on the Web. Prerequisite: LSC 555

LSC 630: Archives Management
3 Credits

Survey of archival principles and practices, with emphasis on accessioning, arrangement, description, preservation, and reference service, and special attention to computer applications. Focuses on differences among archives, manuscript repositories, and libraries.

LSC 640: Computer Networking
3 Credits

Introduction to the design of information systems for a variety of settings, with emphasis on the configuration, setup, operation, and maintenance of computer systems in networked environments. presents concepts of computer-supported cooperative work, client-server architecture, and the design and implementation of internet services. Prerequisite: 555

LSC 702: Advanced Information Sources and Services
3 Credits

Information sources and search strategies, including an introduction to specialized sources in the humanities and social sciences, and search strategies appropriate to sources in different formats. Prerequisite: 553.

LSC 704: Humanities Information
3 Credits

Humanities information needs and information-seeking behavior of different user groups. Disciplines include literature, philosophy, religion, and the visual and performing arts (including theater and film). Emphasis on access to resources in all formats. Trends and problems in the humanities and in humanities information services. Prerequisite: 553 or 9 credits of graduate credit in a humanities discipline.

LSC 706: Social Science Information
3 Credits

Social science information needs and information-seeking behavior of different user groups. Disciplines include anthropology, business, economics, education, ethnic and gender studies, geography, history, law, political science, and sociology. Emphasis on access to resources in all formats. Trends and problems in the social sciences and in social science information services. Prerequisite: 553 or 9 credits of graduate credit in a social science discipline.

LSC 708: Science and Technology Information
3 Credits

Science and technology information needs and information-seeking behavior of differnt user groups. Disciplines include the physical and biological sciences, engineering, agriculture, and medicine. Emphasis on access to resources in all formats. Trends and problems in science and technology and in science and technology information services. Prerequisite: 553 or 9 credits of graduate credit in a science or technology discipline.

LSC 712: Foundations of Digital Libraries
3 Credits

This course is designed to provide a foundation for understanding the issues related to the management of digital libraries. The course will focus on the development of digital collections and on the technical requirements for storage and dissemination of digital materials. Related issues such as collection development, licensing, intellectual property, access services, organization, and use of digital libraries will be introduced. Students will identify and use varied techniques and technologies for digitizing materials, evaluate the strengths and limitations of current efforts in collecting and organizing digital materials, and explore the concepts, problems, and limitations of digital libraries. Prerequisites: 555 and 610.

LSC 713: Advanced Cataloging and Classification
3 Credits

Provides in-depth treatments of complex materials according to AACR2R, including materials of corporate authorship, serials, nonbook items, and electronic information. Focuses on the subject analysis of library materials using the Library of Congress Subject Headings and the Library of Congress classification system. Covers the effective use of OCLC for bibliographic control. Discusses the tasks of automating and managing online catalogs. Examines various attempts to provide subject access to networked information and the roles of catalogs in this endeavor. Prerequisite: 606

LSC 715: Organization of Internet Resources
3 Credits

Discusses the types and characteristics of Internet resources, examines how these resources have been organized on the Internet, and analyzes the strengths and limitations of available access tools. Students apply the principles of information organization to Internet resources and experiment with several information organization methods, including subject guides, indexes, catalogs, databases, metadata schemes (Dublin Core, TEI, EAD, etc.), and others. Challenges in integrating Internet resources into library services are also discussed. A major course project is to select Internet resources (or digitize selected resources), organize them with a selected method, and analyze the effectiveness of the method. The course is often offered in conjunction with the school's participation in major research efforts such as the OCLC InterCat project and the CORC project. Prerequisites: 555 and 610.

LSC 716: Indexing, Abstracting, and Thesarus Construction
3 Credits

Principles, practices, and applications of indexing, abstracting, and controlled index languages, especially thesauri. Survey and evaluation of available manual and computer-based systems. Survey of current issues and relevant research. Projects in thesauri construction, indexing, and abstracting. Prerequisite: 551

LSC 718: Programming for Web Applications
3 Credits

Introduces the concepts and techniques for developing Web-based application systems. Emphasis is placed on programming techniques and the basics of database technology required for designing Web-based application interface and managing data on the Web. Prerequisites: LSC 555, 610

LSC 727: On-Line Information Retrieval
3 Credits

Covers the theory and practice of information storage and retrieval in the online environment. Includes the history of the online information industry, types and structures of online databases, basic search skills, and search strategy development. Illustrates search techniques using commercial databases, CD-ROMS, and Internet resources. Explores and accesses electronic reference services and discusses the management of online search services. Prerequisites: 553

LSC 728: Advanced On-Line Information Retrieval
3 Credits

Focuses on advanced search methods and strategies. Uses end users' search requests as the framework for experimental searches and for in-depth examination of major databases and Internet resources. Discusses trends and issues in the online industry and in database searching. Prerequisite: 727

LSC 730: Use and Users of Libraries and Information
3 Credits

Examination of the users of information, especially in the context of libraries and information-providing agencies. Includes the assessment of information needs and use, the information-seeking behavior of individuals and groups, the bibliometric analysis, and the evaluation of information to meet user needs. Prerequisites: 553.

LSC 740: Database Management
3 Credits

Study of the fundamentals of information storage and retrieval systems design, including needs assessments, requirements specifications, data models and records structures, and information processing methods. Other topics may include document management, imaging, optical disk storage, markup languages, hypertext, and network architectures. Prerequisites: 551, 555

LSC 741: Systems Analysis and Evaluation
3 Credits

Introduction to the principles of analysis and evaluation of information systems. Application of analytical and evaluative techniques, including charting, file analysis, cost/benefit analysis, sampling, user requirement study, and evaluation research. Treatment of systems analysis within the systems development process. Prerequisite: 740

LSC 742: Library Automation and Project Management
3 Credits

Introduction to the methods for application of computers and related technology to library processes for those concerned with the management of library automation. Prerequisites: 555

LSC 745: Research Methods in Library and Information Science
3 Credits

Covers the analysis and evaluation of research studies in library and information science and the application of analytical and evaluative techniques. Surveys research processes, including problem definition, design, sampling, measurement, data collection and analysis, and the applications of research findings to solving practical problems of libraries and information centers. Includes research design and proposal writing. No previous statistical or research background required. Prerequisites: 551

LSC 746: Library and Information Service Evaluation
3 Credits

Research-based approaches to understanding and improving programs, systems, and services in information agencies, including definitions of objectives, choice of methodologies, and approaches to data collection and analysis. Prerequisites: 557.

LSC 772: Media Services
3 Credits

Exploration of the expanding role of non-print and electronic media in libraries and information/media centers. Emphasis on evaluation, selection, and use of multimedia and equipment and on management of media programs in libraries and information/media centers.

LSC 776: Design and Production of Multimedia
3 Credits

Theory and practice in the planning and production of multimedia. Hands-on experience in use of equipment and the design and preparation of multimedia. Prerequisite: 555.

LSC 782: Government Information
3 Credits

Selection, dissemination, and use of government information services and the documentation of major international/intergovernmental organizations. Reviews the history and development of government printing and examines policy issues of accessing government information in print and electronic formats. Emphasizes congressional materials and federal agency statistical data. Covers the use of commercial indexing and finding tools, agency electronic sources, and WWW sites.  Prerequisite: 553

LSC 801: The College and University Library
3 Credits

The role and management of libraries in colleges and universities, including history, mission and objectives, standards, trends, organizational patterns, personnel, collections, services, facilities, and finances.

LSC 807: The Public Library
3 Credits

Explores aspects of the public library within the context of demographic and technological changes and shifting economic and political forces. Emphasis on the interrelationship of the public library with these forces.

LSC 809: Adult Services
3 Credits

Lifelong learning theory; adult information seeking patterns and reading interests; adult education activities in public libraries; emphasis on specific services including genealogy, local history, literacy, parenting, readers advisory, and outreach to special groups. Prerequisites: 553, 557.

LSC 813: The School Library Media Center
3 Credits

Philosophy, objectives, staff, organization and management, collection, facilities, budgets, and services of school library media centers. Emphasis on the role of the media specialist and the function of school library media centers within the total school program. Provides a foundation for practicum experiences in school library media centers.

LSC 818: The Special Library/Information Center
3 Credits

Survey of management, organization, and services within special libraries and information centers. Emphasizes ongoing changes within the profession and the organizational environment. Includes a customer service focus, knowledge management, and the move to virtual libraries/information centers.

LSC 819: Business Information
3 Credits

Introduction to information sources used in business, finance, and economics, with special emphasis given to company and industry information and to the use and interpretation of statistical sources. Also examines labor, taxation, trade, and international sources. Printed data sources examined and contrasted with their database equivalents. Prior knowledge of on-line database systems helpful but not required. Prerequisite: 553 or nine credits of graduate credit in business.

LSC 820: Information Literacy
3 Credits

This course combines theory and practice to give students the foundation they need for teaching in any type of library, and also in developing staff training programs. The course emphasizes the practical aspects of teaching, of creating instructional material (including web tutorials), in designing electronic classrooms, in providing "virtual" instruction via the web, and in managing an instruction program within a larger organizational setting.

LSC 825: Law Librarianship
3 Credits

Introduction to the various kinds of law libraries, their organizational structures, collections, and services.

LSC 826: Legal Literature
3 Credits

An introduction to bibliographic organization of legal literature and to techniques of legal research; use of primary and secondary sources and finding tools. Prerequisite: LSC 553 or nine credits of graduate credit in law.

LSC 828: Advanced Legal Research
3 Credits

In-depth analysis of legal research processes and major bibliographic tools involved. Particular emphasis on federal legislative materials, computer-assisted legal research techniques, and law-related sources. Prerequisite: LSC 826

LSC 831: Music Bibliography
3 Credits

Introduction to the bibliographical and discographical information resources of music and dance. Comprehensive survey of the literature of Western music. Also treats ethnic and popular music, as well as the literature of classical, popular, and folk dance. Covers the use and evaluation of sources for reference and bibliographic control, including on-line databases, unpublished indexes and catalogs, and commercial catalogs. Prerequisite: LSC 553 or 9 credits in the performing arts.

LSC 833: Music Librarianship
3 Credits

Survey of management, organization, and services in music libraries, including those in public, academic, conservatory, and research settings. Includes acquisitions, cataloging, indexing, processing, and preservation of music materials, with special attention to the handling of music scores and sound recordings; also fiscal management, collection appraisal, and the evaluation of services.

LSC 841: Rare Book Librarianship
3 Credits

Introduces the issues and topics in the administration of rare book collections, whether constituted as separate libraries or as special collections within libraries. Attention to understanding the nature of rare materials as well as to their acquisition, housing, conservation, and servicing.

LSC 842: Special Collections
3 Credits

Introduction to a broad range of special collections of various subjects, formats, and media, including rare books, manuscripts, prints and photographs, maps, film, and sound recordings. Discusses technology, especially digitization and the dissemination of collection material on CD-ROM and over the World Wide Web. Includes the management of special collections with emphasis on bibliographic control, access, and preservation. Prerequisites: 551

LSC 843: Art and Museum Librarianship
3 Credits

Explores the unique concerns of visual art information centers and museums resulting from the nature of their collections and the uses made of their information. Covers both the sources of information commonly used in these institutions and the management issues that are characteristic. Topics include cataloging and classification of information and museum objects, systems integration, new technologies, preservation, and communication with users. Students use area libraries and participate in field trips.

LSC 852: Survey of the Development of Children's Literature
3 Credits

Overview of the history and development of children's literature, from early times to the turn of the century. In-depth discussion of representative titles of books of particular periods.

LSC 854: Media for Children
3 Credits

Evaluation, selection, and use of multimedia materials for children in terms of needs, interests, and abilities. Attention to matching students' needs, interests, and stages of cognitive development. Discussion of characteristics and representative titles of various genres of children's literature.

LSC 855: Media for Adolescents
3 Credits

Evaluation and selection of materials as well as techniques for providing reading guidance to adolescents in school library media centers and public libraries. Emphasis on contemporary literature suited to the personal and recreational needs and interests of young people.

LSC 870: Health Sciences Literature
3 Credits

Survey of information resources and services in the health sciences. Includes information needs and communication patterns in the biomedical community. Emphasis on indexes and abstracts, important journals, and major dictionaries, encyclopedias, handbooks, directories, and textbooks. Includes on-line searching of MEDLINE and other biomedical databases. Prerequisite: 553.

LSC 871: Health Sciences Librarianship
3 Credits

Management of library resources and services in the health sciences. Introduction to problems in the management of medical and hospital libraries, administrative goals and standards, materials selection, audiovisual materials, cataloging and classification procedures, types of reader services, user education, and opportunities for library cooperation within regional medical library programs.

LSC 874: Special Topics in Librarianship
3 Credits

Advanced seminars on emerging issues within the profession, offered as required.

LSC 875: Special Topics in Librarianship
3 Credits

Advanced seminars on emerging issues within the profession, offered as required.

LSC 876: Special Topics in Librarianship
3 Credits

Advanced seminars on emerging issues within the profession, offered as required

LSC 877: Special Topics in Librarianship
3 Credits

no description available

LSC 878: Special Topics in Librarianship
3 Credits

Advanced seminars on emerging issues within the profession, offered as required.

LSC 879: Special Topics in Librarianship
3 Credits

Advanced seminars on emerging issues within the profession, offered as required.

LSC 880: Telecommunications
3 Credits

Review of events leading to the current status of national and international library networks. Study and discussion of objectives, functions, components, technical and bibliographical problems, and policy issues of a national library network. Review of the technologies employed to support the networks and the impact of these technologies upon services. Examines the contributions and influence of networking upon the development of the profession. Prerequisites: General knowledge of computer systems, advanced standing.

LSC 882: Institute on Federal Library Resources
3 Credits

Examines the complex of federal library programs and operations in detail through lectures, panel discussions, and information clinics, featuring library leaders, information scientists, government officials, and others prominent in federal library activities. Field trips to major federal libraries, information centers, and data banks, where participants may use resources and see technology in operation.

LSC 883: Religious Archives Institute
3 Credits

Designed for keepers of religious records who must manage information and handle materials covering a wide time span and several languages in a nonprofit institution, and understand the complexities of modern communication and computer systems. Geared to neophyte archivists as well as seasoned practitioners and records administrators.

LSC 884: The Institute for Intellectual Property Issues in Libraries and Information Centers
3 Credits

This Institute will cover the intellectual property issues facing libraries with particular emphasis on the emerging issues related to the creation, use, and dissemination of digital information.  Topics for this course will include:  1) the basics of copyright, 2) electronic reserves, 3) Copyright Law and exemptions related to libraries, 4) the public domain, 5) licensing and digital rights and, 6) privacy issues management.  The course will be delivered in an intensive, one-week format with select visits to relevant library and information organizations to provide students with the an opportunity to experience the application of the concepts learned in class from the perspective of an information organization.  The visits planned will be in the local, D.C. area.   Issues in the academic sphere, the non-profit, non-educational institution, and the for-profit organization will be analyzed.  Current judicial interpretation of the fair-use concept will be discussed, as well as copyright application to computer programs and the use of online databases.  There will be an overview of international developments and the federal legislative outlook.  Participants will be asked to submit specific problems for discussion, maintain a journal of their reflections on the issues and submit a final project.

LSC 895: Independent Study
3 Credits

Opportunity for concentrated study in a subject or problem to meet a student's special need or interest, under the direction of a member of the full-time faaculty. Before registration, the topic for study must be approved by the instructor involved. One to three credit hours, commensurate with the scope of the study. Permission may be granted to take two independent study courses in one semester. A maximum of seven hours of independent study may be taken as part of the M.S. in L.S. program. Prerequisite: 8 hours of credit in Library Science courses

LSC 896: Independent Study
3 Credits

Opportunity for concentrated study in a subject or problem to meet a student's need or interest, under the direction of a member of the full-time faculty. Before registration, the topic for study must be approved by the instructor involved. One to three credit hours, commensurate with the scope of the study. Permission may be granted to take two independent study courses in one semester. A maximum of seven hours of independent study may be taken as part of the M.S. in L.S. program. Prerequisite: 8 hours of credit in Library Science courses

LSC 897: Independent Study
3 Credits

Opportunity for concentrated study in a subject or problem to meet a student's special need or interest, under the direction of a member of the full-time faculty. Before registration, the topic for study must be approved by the instructor involved. One to three credit hours, commensurate with the scope of the study. Permission may be granted to take two independent study courses in one semester. A maximum of seven hours of independent study may be taken as part of the M.S. in L.S. program. Prerequisite: 8 hours of credit in Library Science courses

LSC 898: Independent Study
3 Credits

Opportunity for concentrated study in a subject or problem to meet a student's special need or interest, under the direction of a member of the full-time faculty. Before registration, the topic for study must be approved by the instructor involved. One to three credit hours, commensurate with the scope of the study. Permission may be granted to take two independent study courses in one semester. A maximum of seven hours of independent study may be taken as part of the M.S. in L.S. program. Prerequisite: 8 hours of credit in Library Science courses

LSC 899: Independent Study
1 Credits

Opportunity for concentrated study in a subject or problem to meet a student's special need or interest, under the direction of a member of the full-time faculty. Before registration, the topic for study must be approved by the instructor involved. One to three credit hours, commensurate with the scope of the study. Permission may be granted to take two independent study courses in one semester. A maximum of seven hours of independent study may be taken as part of the M.S. in L.S. program. Prerequisite: 8 hours of credit in Library Science courses

LSC 906: Practicum
3 Credits

Supervised professional training in a library, archive, or other library/information service agency approved by the faculty of the School of Library and Information Science. Minimum of 120 hours per semester. Written goals and evaluation of practicum experience required. Requests for practicum should be made toward the end of the preceding semester to allow sufficient time to make arrangements. Graded Pass/Fail. Prerequisites: 551, 553, 555 and permission of Practicum Coordinator.

LSC 908: School Library Media Practicum
3 Credits

Supervised professional training in a school library media center approved by the faculty of the School of Library and Information Science. Minimum of 120 hours per semester. Requires written goals and evaluation of practicum experience. Requests for practicum should be made toward the end of the preceding semester to allow sufficient time to make arrangements. May be taken twice. Graded Pass/Fail. Prerequisites: 813 and permission of Practicum Coordinator.