LIS 5023: Management in Information Organizations

Description, Analysis, & Reflection

Description 

The course description for LIS 5023: Management in Information Organizations states  

Theories, processes, behaviors and issues that allow knowledge-based institutions to transform themselves into ones that organize and share knowledge in an effective, efficient, and ethical manner; leadership, motivation and organizational communication; management of knowledge workers; ethical and legal aspects of managing information and knowledge organizations. (Edwards, 2021) 

The course’s goals and learning objectives for students are based on the American Library Association’s (ALA) Leadership and Management Competencies.   

My artifact from LIS 5023: Management in Information Organizations is the course’s final project, the Strategic Plan.  It was a group project in which we had to research and develop a strategic plan for a library, archive, museum, etc.  For this project we selected the Bartlesville Public Library.  We chose this library because one of the group members was an employee of the Bartlesville Public Library, which granted us easy access to information about the library.  I chose this project for my artifact because it was my first experience with online group projects at the graduate level.  The experience proved invaluable, preparing me for group work throughout the program. 

Analysis 

I had two big takeaways from this class, both of which proved to be extremely important and incredibly useful experiences that have aided me throughout the rest of the program.  First, was the group project as seen in the artifact below.  Around 2018-2019, the Pioneer Library System (PLS) embarked on the journey of creating a strategic plan.  The administration invited staff to participate in the process, first at the annual Staff Day event in 2019.  On that day, staff broke into groups and engaged in broad, 30,000 feet discussions about issues within the system, values, and hope for the future.  After that, there were townhall meetings designed to determine what PLS calls our Signature Service Areas.  These are made up of programs and other services provided to our communities.  When the Strategic Plan was completed and announced, it felt good knowing that we had all taken some part in its creation.  I tied that experience directly into this final project.  Throughout the semester, I went back to those experiences with PLS to help guide my work.  Having that previous experience added an extra level of learning to this assignment and course.   

Second, this class introduced me to Dr. Buffy Edwards.  Immediately, she created a welcoming and encouraging atmosphere that made learning engaging and fun.  This would not be my last class with Dr. Edwards and later on, she agreed to be my advisor.  I am incredibly thankful to her as a professor, advisor, and mentor.  

Reflection 

When I started in the MLIS program, my first priority was to knock out the required Core Courses.  So, I started at the beginning with LIS 5023: Management in Information Organizations in my first semester.  Because of my responsibilities with work and family, I was only able to take about two courses a semester (on average).  By the end of the semester, I was a bit shell shocked and beginning to realize that grad school was going to be harder than I thought.   

Personal Learning Goals 

Management in Information Organizations started me on the path to Goal 4:  To gain the knowledge and skills to be a successful librarian and public servant, with its focus on leadership, communication, conflict resolution, etc.  It covered core management issues but focused them through the lens of the information profession.  That helped me better understand the roles management plays at my job at the Noble Public Library. 

MLIS Program-level Student Learning Outcomes 

This course started me toward SLO 1 Core Knowledge by covering management practices and principles and advocacy; SLO 2 Intellectual Skill through the research and evaluation done in the final project; and SLO 3 Professional and Scholarly Communication via the group project and discussion posts and course assignments.    

ALA Competencies  

This course is based on the ALA’s Leadership and Management Competencies and especially helped towards competency 8. Administration and Management with its focus on management issues. 

Edwards, B. (2021). LIS 5023: Management in information organizations [Syllabus]. Norman, OK: University of Oklahoma.