DRAFT 1.0 for circulation to faculty Jan. 15, 1999

January, 1999

The Graduate School of Library and Information Science (GSLIS) includes programs for earning Master's and Doctoral degrees in Library and Information Science (LIS), a Certificate of Advanced Studies in LIS, and an undergraduate minor in Information Studies (commencing Fall, 1999). The Master's and CAS programs are offered in three different formats: on-campus (full or part-time); Friday's only (part-time); and LEEP distance program (full or part-time). The doctoral program may be completed full or part-time, but is offered only as an on-campus option.

The goal of the Master's program is qualify graduates as professional librarians and information scientists. This is achieved by equipping students with the theories and practices of library and information science through the study of the foundations, principles and ideas of the discipline, and the status and expectations of the profession. The latter goal is also addressed by maintaining an accredited program according to standards of the American Library Association. This goal is embodied in these objectives for the program:

• to teach students to anticipate social and technological changes, and promote change to advance the profession;
• to foster critical thinking about literature and research in LIS and related fields
• to encourage commitment to high standards of practice, conduct, responsibility, and service
• to prepare for evaluation and development of services

The goal of the CAS program is to extend and deepen the knowledge and skills of already qualified librarians. Students complete Master’s level courses and complete a major project in order to earn the certificate.

The goal of the GSLIS doctoral program is qualify graduates as researchers and teachers in library and information science. This is achieved through coursework that includes research methods, a comprehensive examination based on a core reading list of LIS materials, a specialist examination or portfolio relating to their area of interest, and a doctoral dissertation. Students also have the opportunity to complete a teaching practicum to prepare them for teaching.

A new undergraduate minor in Information Studies is being instituted by GSLIS to begin in Fall 1999. The goal of this program is to provide students with insight into the nature and place of information in society today and its impact on work and social life. The program introduces students to the ways in which information can be stored, transmitted, retrieved, used and interpreted in various settings. This is achieved by coursework including core and capstone courses in information studies.

Major assessment efforts already underway at GSLIS include regular preparation for accrediation as an approved library school by the American Library Association (ALA), and curriculum reform for the Master’s program. Although there are many further possibilities for assessment efforts, the GSLIS faculty is small in size and includes a high number of untenured faculty. Therefore, assessment efforts are concentrated on the areas of most need.

In the near term, most faculty effort will be concentrated on the Master’s degree curriculum reform. Also in the near term, effort will be given to establishing and initiating the Undergraduate Minor and laying the groundwork for its assessment. When the ALA accreditation process is due, it will be the high priority for faculty and effort will be given to completing that review.

1. GSLIS Level

recurring

Every seven years, GSLIS is re-evaluated by the ALA on its accreditation as an approved library school. The next accreditation is scheduled for 2004, with the work for that accrediation taking place in the year before. Successful accreditation is a continuing goal of the faculty. At each accreditation round, GSLIS is evaluated in terms of its mission, goals, and objectives; curriculum; faculty; students; administration and financial support; and physical resources and facilities. For futher details on the standards for this accreditation see the ALA web site (http://www.ala.org/alaorg/oa/standard.html).

Responsibility: Full faculty, and/or committee members as appointed by the Dean.

2. Program Level

ongoing

LIS as a discipline, and librarianship as a profession, has been subject to radical change in recent years. GSLIS is currently actively engaged in a thorough review and reassessment of the required and optional elements of the Master’s degree program. The effort is led by the GSLIS curriculum committee with regular input and exchange with all faculty. This initiative represents a serious and thorough consideration of what it means to be a librarian in the 21st century. Given the resources available, this has been scheduled as a multi-year project, with implementation of the new curriculum expected in Fall 2001.

Responsibility: Master’s degree Curriculum Committee, with input from the full faculty as requested.

2.2. CAS Program Re-Evaluation

new

The CAS program rests on the Master’s curriculum and Master’s degree courses. On completion of curriculum reform for the Master’s degree, requirements for the CAS program will be re-evaluated.

Responsibility: Master’s degree Curriculum Committee and/or the Advanced Studies Committee (ASC).

new

The requirements for the PhD program were redesigned in 1995. The major changes were:

• a change in the qualifying examinations from a set series of 4 courses and exams, to a comprehensive examination based on a faculty specified readign list, plus an individually oriented specialty examination.
• an option for students who did not already hold a Master’s degree to enroll directly in the PhD program rather than the GSLIS Master’s program, thereby making them eligible to join the PhD courses offered by the faculty.

An assessment plan for these two aspects of the program will be instituted by the ASC and carried out over the next five years.

Responsibility: Advanced Studies Committee

2.3.2. Annual Reviews of Students

ongoing

In the spring of each year students report to the ASC and to their faculty advisor on their progress over the year. The ASC reviews progress for each student and intervenes for problem cases. The ASC will collect statistics on progress through the PhD program based on the annual review data and will share this data with faculty as it becomes available.

Responsibility: Advanced Studies Committee

2.4. Undergraduate Minor Development

new

A new undergraduate minor program is being instituted by GSLIS to begin in Fall 1999. Plans for assessing the undergraduate minor will be developed in conjunction with development of the program.

Responsibility: Undergraduate Minor Committee (or Officer)

ongoing

Informal student meetings with the Dean take place approximately once a semester and will continue to take place on a regular basis. On a rotating basis the Dean will meet with students from each aspect of the program (e.g., on-campus and LEEP, part-time and full-time, Masters, CAS and PhD).

As well, the Dean and the faculty receive feedback from Master’s, CAS, and PhD student representatives who sit on committees and attend faculty meetings. The Dean and committees share this information with the faculty.

Responsibility: The Dean and Committee Chairs.

ongoing

ICES forms are completed for each course and are evaluated by individual faculty and by the Executive Committee (in conjuction with faculty annual reviews).

Responsibility: Faculty members, Executive Committee

new

A template for GSLIS course syllabi will be created for faculty to use for each course which emphasizes specification of the outcomes expected from the course.

Responsibility: Outcomes Assessment Committee (or Officer)

Each faculty member will complete a syllabus for each course they offer. These will be compiled and maintained by the department.

Responsibility: Faculty members to complete and submit a syllabus; GSLIS publication office to store and maintain them.

ongoing

The University polls graduates every two years. The data for GSLIS will be disseminated to faculty and committees for review.

Responsibility: Outcomes Assessment Committee, Committee Chairs

As a continuing effort toward assessment, GSLIS will continue to consider other avenues of assessment. Actual implementation of these efforts will depend on internal faculty resources. Where resources permit expansion of the assessment program may include:

• polling of employers for desired skills and qualifications for positions in libraries, businesses, universities and colleges (Master’s degree), desired skills for those upgrading their skills (CAS program), and desired qualifications and specialties for academic positions (PhD degree)
• addition of student self-assessment into programs and/or courses
• integration of abilities based teaching and learning into the curriculum
• assessment of portfolios of student work (e.g., accumulated over the degree)
• rotating in-depth assessment of particular program options, e.g., LEEP, Friday’s only
• rotating in-depth assessment of content of strategic courses, e.g., introductory, mandatory, or capstone courses, or courses satisfying campus requirements in numeracy or literacy

Responsibility: Outcomes Assessment Committee in consultation with the Dean and with faculty