Current Topics in LIS

The topics touched upon in the Library and Information Studies profession ranges far and wide, from the collections themselves to reference librarianship to how to make something with a 3D printer in a makerspace. This list of topics isn't exhaustive, but we've added some resources under popular topics that every LIS student should know about.

Collection Management

Association for Library Collections & Technical Services - provides links to suggested reading materials about library collection management.

Web Junction: Collection Management - includes online courses, webinars, articles, and other resources on the topic of collection management.

Reference

Library of Congress Virtual Reference Shelf - links to various resources frequently used by librarians for reference services.

Public Library Association Reference Resources - provides links to resources for reference training and professional enrichment.

RUSA Professional Competencies for Reference and User Services Librarians - links to PDF document; last updated Aug. 2017.

Information Literacy

What is Information Literacy? - an overview explaining the basics of information literacy and why it is important.

Do Not Track - an interactive documentary by Brett Gaylor that demonstrates the lack of privacy consumers experience online.

The Center for Media Literacy - a website about how media literacy is being promoted and researched in different professional and academic settings.

Makerspaces

Libraries & Maker Culture: A Resource Guide - links to many different makerspaces operated by public and academic libraries. 

Makerspace Tools by Colleengraves.org - a list of great tools to purchase for your makerspace along with advice for implementation. 

YALSA Making in the Library Toolkit - a go-to guide created by the Young Adult Library Services Association about creating and managing a makerspace successfully. 

Kate Crawford & Safiya Umoja Noble's AI Ethics Conversation (YoutTube, 2019) (1:03:19)

Nick Dyer Witheford's presentation at the 2019 Digital Democracies Conference- Digital Capitalism (YouTube, 2019) (31:51)


Technology

Artificial Intelligence

Kate Crawford & Safiya Umoja Noble's AI Ethics Conversation (YoutTube, 2019) (1:03:19)

Nick Dyer Witheford's presentation at the 2019 Digital Democracies Conference- Digital Capitalism (YouTube, 2019) (31:51)

Reader's Advisory

ALA's Reader Advisory Tools – ALA's list of a few resources to get started with reader's advisory, including a link to the ALA wiki page on reader's advisory, recommended reading links, YALSA Best Books for Young Adults lists, and more.

INALJ's Best Reader's Advisory Websites – INALJ compiled the eight best reader's advisory websites to go to for recommending books, especially for the busy librarian who can't read everything.

WebJunction Reader's Advisory webinars – check out the latest discussions on reader's advisory by looking at some of WebJunction's recorded webinars about reader's advisory.

Cataloging

Association for Library Collections & Technical Services - provides links to suggested reading materials about library collection management.


Metadata/Digital Libraries

Music Librarianship

Medical Librarianship

Special Libraries

Podcasts