Exploration of the nature of information and technology in information-intensive environments. Topics to be addressed include information lifecycle processes such as production, storage, sharing, and consumption; social, cultural, economic, legal, and technological contexts for understanding information processes; the roles of information professionals and agencies, and their place in the larger information marketplace; current and emerging information technologies that shape the information economy. 

Examines the political, social, economic, and technical forces that influence the larger environments in which information institutions are situated. This course explores characteristics of the environments in which information professionals may work, including but not limited to academic, school, public, and special libraries, museums, archives, cultural heritage institutions, government organizations, corporations across all industries, and information creators and publishers. The course explores characteristics of the information profession including core values and principles, emerging professions, and understanding possible futures in profession, and explores ideas of organizational behavior in information institutions that operate across the institution as a whole, within groups, and within individuals in the organization.

Introduction to the theory and practice of information organization and retrieval in various information environments. Familiarity with principles, standards, tools and current systems relating to organization of information and retrieval. Exploration of supported information system functions such as searching, browsing, and navigation. Assessment and evaluation of information organization and retrieval systems

Takes a user-centered approach in exploring the information needs and behaviors of people (as individuals and in groups, communities, and institutions) in relation to the larger information ecology that surrounds them. Topics covered include an overview of information ecology; the user-centered paradigm; major information needs and information behavior theories, models, and findings; the landscape of information sources and services for users; factors that influence people’s information needs and behaviors; and user empowerment, information ethics, information fluency, and related issues.

Focuses on quantitative and qualitative research methods applicable to information settings and environments. Explores research design, data analysis, proposal development, and ethical issues. 

The first of three one-credit courses in digital technologies, this course presents foundational knowledge on the principles that underlie digital resources and services in modern information society, with specific emphasis on data representation, encoding, formatting, and data modeling.

The second of three one-credit courses in digital technologies, this course presents foundational knowledge on the principles that underlie digital resources and services in modern information society, with specific emphasis on online information systems, the Internet, and data security. 

Introduction to use and evaluation of basic sources of reference information, computerized and noncomputerized; reference interview and question-negotiation techniques; administration of reference and information services.

The formation of special libraries. Libraries in special subject fields and in organizations: corporations, government agencies, hospitals, etc. Internal organization and administration collection development and services. 

Analysis of the historical, sociopolitical, technological, fiscal and organizational factors affecting American public librarianship. Includes evaluation, planning, networking, funding, automation, buildings and censorship. 

Introduces primary and secondary resources and materials to promote and perform reference services in genealogy and local history through lectures, readings, discussion, and practical exercises. The course will use primary and secondary materials available to librarians and archivists in libraries, archives, historical societies and on the Internet.

This course is designed to provide students with cataloging knowledge in the area of medical librarianship. Students will learn how to apply subject analysis principles to evaluate medical resources and assign medical subject headings. This course is one course in a three, one-credit hour sequence of medical librarianship courses. 

This course is intended to introduce specialized reference services and sources found in medical library settings. 

This course introduces the environment and context of a medical library to students. The course starts with the context of the medical environment and moves to medical libraries, medical librarianship and related management issues specific to medical library environments. The course reviews typical work scenarios and requests for medical librarians.

Exploration of advanced copyright topics such as mass digitization, creative arts and other issues in fair use, library, archive and educational uses including the TEACH Act, digital first sale rights, Digital Millennium Copyright Act, and an introduction to copyright reform. 

The third of three one-credit courses in digital technologies, this course presents foundational knowledge on the principles that underlie digital resources and services in modern information society, with specific emphasis on Web-based information applications, programming logic, Linked Data, and the interpretation of data. 

Completed in a student’s last semester. It will include the creation of an electronic portfolio to represent and self-evaluate the student’s experience throughout the MLIS program, considering program learning outcomes and preparation for a career in the field of library and information science.