Assignments
Overview • Assignment 1 • Assignment 2
Assignment 3 • Class participation
Overview
| Assignment Name | Due Date | Percent of Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Assignment 1 | January 23 | 25 |
| Assignment 2: | February 11 | 30 |
| Assignment 3 | February 27 | 30 |
| Class Participation | All quarter | 15 |
All written assignments are due by 11:45pm on the date indicated on the syllabus. No exceptions will be made UNLESS prior permission has been granted by the instructor. Late papers will not be accepted for grading. For in-class assignments, attendance on the day of the assignment is mandatory to receive a grade.
Some of your assignments will be turned in via Collect It, a Catalyst tool. Collect It instructions.
Collect It Dropbox: LIS 587 Winter Quarter 2013
Assignment 1: System Librarian job environment
Overview: Assignment 1 consists of using library publication, listservs, online job ads, etc., to prepare a written assignment on systems managers positions in the library profession.
Each student must:
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Select three (3) different job descriptions from any type of library [academic, public, special, corporate, law, medical, etc.,] that have some or all of the job duties of a system manager.
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Compare and contrast the differences in the job descriptions to determine what qualifications and background would be needed for a successful applicant.
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Sample questions to investigate include (but are not limited to):
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What are the range of duties in each job description?
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Where does the position fit within the library's organizational structure?
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What advanced degree(s) are required?
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What is the salary level?
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What sort of technical and non-technical skills are required?
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Some web sites to locate library jobs:
Format: Typed paper of no more than 10 pages, double-spaced.
Grading: The grade for this assignment will be based on the acuteness of the compare/contrast factors among the job descriptions and the clarity of the writing.
Assignment 2: Library 2.0 Technology
Overview: Assignment 2 consists each student exploring an emerging library technology currently in use by a library. The student should demonstrate how this new technology provides more direct and improved patron service.
Instructions: To successfully complete this assignment, each student must:- select an emerging technology
- prepare a presentation for the class on the application of this technology in a library setting
- locate a library using the new technology and provide a relevant example of the technology in use.
- critically evaluate the technology
- discuss the possibilities for patron or staff benefits
- discuss how it would improve library services
Some of the technologies to choose from (but are not limited to) include:
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RSS feeds
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Wikis
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Blogs
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Federated searching
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Social networking (MySpace, Facebook, etc.)
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Library Thing
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Relevance ranking
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Twitter
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Google Maps
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Google Books
Format: The presentation should be a screencast using Jing software of 5 minutes in length.
Resources
: How I make instructional library web videos and screencasts and how you can tooGrading: The grade for this assignment will be based on the demonstrated relevance of the emerging technology to improve library services and the clarity of the presentation.
Assignment 3: OPAC or Discovery Platform comparison
Overview: Assignment 3 consists of a comparison and contrasting of two OPAC's or Discovery platforms using the principles of Pecha Kuchu (Pecha Kucha is properly pronounced 'peh-CHAK-cha' and is Japanese for 'chatter' or the sound of conversation).
Instructions: Select two Integrated Library Systems OPAC's by different vendors from libraries of similar size (large, medium, or small) and type (academic, public, special or school). Develop a presentation using the Pecha Kuchu principles to compare and contrast the main features of the OPACs. Use specific examples of how they work (or do not work) as search engines and the kinds of services that they provide to their patrons. At the conclusion of your presentation, the audience should be able to determine whether you think the opacs are successful as they are currently configured or how they could be improved.
Format: In class presentation. The rules of Pecha Kucha mandate:
- Limit of 20 slides per presentation
- Each slide shown for 20 seconds
- Total time for presentation (slides & speaking) = 6 minutes, 40 seconds
Reources:
- Guide to making a Pecha Kucha Presentation
- The Chronicle of Higher Education
- Wikipedia
- Wired Magazine
- PechaKucha.org presentations
Grading: Your grade for this assignment will be based on the clarity of your presentation, how well you followed the rules of Pecha Kuchu and your presentation style.
Class Participation
Active class participation is critical to the successful learning environment in a class session. Your class participation grade reflects the quality of your participation and the regularity of your involvement in discussion. The grade for participation will be based on:
- volunteering to take part in class discussions
- ability to contribute ideas, experiences and observations to the class discussions
- ability to lead an engaging class discussion as the group leader for your weekly reading discussion assignment
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Last updated: Thursday, 14-Feb-2013 12:58:20 PST
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