Library Technology (LIBR)

This course is an introduction to public services in several types of libraries. Students learn about procedures such as circulation, reference, the importance of Intellectual Freedom and Censorship, and interlibrary loan. Services such as public relations, programming, customer service, and displays are emphasized. This is an approved course by the American Library Association-Library Support Staff Certification for the Foundations in Library Services competency set.

Students learn how to analyze simple and complex reference questions and identify the best subject resources to answer them. In addition, this course covers topics such as reference ethics, information literacy, youth reference services, reader's advisory, genealogy, reference programming, evaluation of reference materials, current services, and explore potential future library services. This is an approved course by the American Library Association-Library Support Staff Certification for the Reference and Information Services competency set.

This course introduces the organization of libraries and the principles and practices of cataloging including descriptive cataloging, subject analysis, subject headings and classification systems. It includes copy cataloging and original creation of MARC21/BIBFRAME/RDA records. RDA (Resource Description and Access) and BIBFRAME (Bibliographic Framework Initiative) are new requirements that are changing cataloging. Students learn how to update AACR2 (Anglo-American Cataloging Rules). -MARC21 (Machine Readable Cataloging) records with RDA and BIBFRAME so that all catalog records follow new standards and rules for bibliographic description, including FRBR (Functional Requirements of Bibliographic Records) and FRAD (Functional Requirements of Authority Data). Both print and non-print materials will be covered.

A critical study of literature for children and young adults, this course is designed to introduce to students the basic elements for bringing literature and readers together. The study includes a variety of literary forms such as folklore, poetry, fiction, drama, and nonfiction, and discussions of writers, illustrators, storytelling, and library programming from early childhood to young adulthood. This is an approved course by the American Library Association-Library Support Staff Certification for the Youth Services competency set.

In this course, students acquire an understanding of the use of bibliographic tools, the skills required for proper use, and a basic knowledge of the technical processing department workflow. This is an approved course by the American Library Association-Library Support Staff Certification for the Collections competency set.

In this course students will explore the role of digital media in the field of Library Science by looking at best practices and by creating original media content. Students will be introduced to and create a variety of digital file formats including audio, image, and video. They will look at these files using a variety of available software and applications. Students will be required to create their own original digital content using personal devices such as, but not limited to, digital video recorders, digital audio recorders, laptops, mobile phones, and/or tablets. The hardware will not be provided for the students, so access to some of all of the above-mentioned devices is a requirement for this course. An emphasis will be placed on the ethical use of all digital content following current intellectual property right and copyright laws.

In this course, students examine the basic communication, decision-making, and management skills necessary for library support staff. Emphasis is placed on library support staff communicating effectively with library users and other library staff for a variety of situations, offering high-quality customer service, and serving as a valued member of a work team. This is an approved course by the American Library Association-Library Support Staff Certification for two competency areas: Communication and Teamwork and Supervision and Management.

Students are introduced to a wide variety of digital information resources that enhance library services; and gain experience and practice in the selection, management, creation and assessment of digital collections, including online subscriptions, e-books, related technologies, and web services. Additionally, students gain experience in practices of preservation and archives, the use of LibGuides, and current and anticipated future technology and media trends that influence, or impact library services are explored. This is an approved course by the American Library Association-Library Support Staff Certification for the Technology competency set.

This is a practicum course and students are required to complete a minimum of 90 field placement hours. Students participate in a practical, real-world experience in a library or media center setting of their choice under the guidance and supervision of library staff. Students in the library technology certificate program who do not have experience working in a library or media center are encouraged to take this course. Each internship is an individual experience.