Library Education in the United States

Course Description

This presentation delves into the rich tapestry of U.S. library education. From its historical roots to its contemporary evolution, we will explore the development of library education, examining the journey of accreditation standards and pivotal trends shaping the landscape. Throughout the session, we will delve into the American Library Association (ALA) Standards for Accreditation of Master’s Programs in Library and Information Studies, discussing the accreditation process and decision-making group in details. Additionally, we will uncover the ALA Core Competencies essential to the field of librarianship, providing insight to the skills and knowledge required for success.

Outline

I.  Introduction

1. Welcome and overview

II. Library education in U.S.

1. History

2. Current situation

3. Student enrollment trends

4. Degree awarded (2022)

5. Faculty demographics (2023)

6. Issues of current U.S. library education

7. Prospect of librarianship in U.S.

III. Accreditation

1. What is accreditation?

2. Accreditation of degree programs in U.S.

3. American Library Association Accreditation Standards

   • History

   • Standard I: Systematic planning

   •  Standard II: Student Learning Outcomes and Curriculum

   • Standard III: Faculty

   • Standard IV: Students

   •  Standard V: Infrastructure

   • Emphasis: Student learning outcomes and equity, diversity, and inclusion

4. ALA accreditation process

   • Frequency

   • Preparation of self-study

   • Key players

     • External review panel

     • ALA Committee on Accreditation

     • ALA Office of Accreditation

     • MLIS program and its stakeholders

   • Accreditation status

   • Citation examples

IV. ALA Core Competencies of Librarianship

1. What is it?

2. Why is it important?

3. How is it applied / utilized?

V. IFLA Guidelines for Professional Library and Information Science Education Programmes

1. What is it?

2. Why is it important?

3. How is it applied / utilized?

VI. Comparison of ALA and IFLA competencies