SI 643 - Professional Practice in Libraries and Information Centers, Winter 2009

This course builds on the conceptual framework of information needs and the use of information provided in SI 501. In that course the focus is on techniques that information professionals use to understand the needs of people who employ a wide variety of information systems. -- Emphasis is on professional practice. Professional practice occurs both in institutional settings (including public, academic, special, and school libraries and information centers) and directly between information professionals and clients (such as information brokers). -- Prepares students for need-based, client-centered professional practice in a variety of information environments (including public, academic, special libraries and school media centers) in a period of major change. Professional practice consists of a variety of functions and practices which increase client access to information and knowledge. It is based both on an understanding of user information constructs and on knowledge of information systems and services. Course addresses concepts related to public libraries, academic libraries, special libraries, medical libraries, school libraries, and information centers, strategy and strategies, competency, and competencies.