2: Basic Concepts

Basic concepts, terminology, literature, and issues related to the creation, organization, management, access and use of knowledge and information

The aim of this course was to help students master the basics of library and information science concepts. Jana Bradley, Director of the SIRLS program, taught the course and encouraged students in a myriad of ways. Students learned about appropriate courses to take and when; major topics, such as technology, archival, MARC systems, and other basic tenets of librarianship were discussed over the course of the semester.

Students were also encouraged to begin preparation as professionals, and five professional development seminars were required. I heard Carla Stoffle, of the University of Arizona, Nancy Ledeboer of the Tucson-Pima Public Library. In addition, Christine Dykgraff, a Ph.D. student, spoke on Middle Eastern Collection Librarianship, and I heard Marti Lindsey on Web Usability and Jennifer Young on Minorities in Archives.

In addition, students gave a group report. My group presented on Information Architecture. All groups were to present on types of Library Professions. It was informative and enlightening to see all the options available to those with a master's degree in library science.

This class also covered annotated bibliographies, and the course finished with a research paper. Because I have worked at libraries in the Projects and in downtown areas with a lot of homeless people, I chose the Digital Divide as a subject. Searching and reading about the Digital Divide was also a great learning experience, and has definitely augmented my position working in an inner city library.