Australian PhDs by LIS educators, researchers and practitioners: Depicting diversity and demise

Analyses of more than 73,000 PhD thesis records in a comprehensive database of bibliographic records from all Australian universities from 1948 to 2006 demonstrate that PhDs on LIS-related topics reveal not only diversity of content, but also the diverse nature of the researcher's academic disciplines. This diversity includes researchers from within and outside LIS who bring to LIS–or take away–a variety of methods, approaches, theories and understandings. With 27 of Australia's 39 universities having produced LIS-related PhD graduates, the distribution through the Australian university system is evident and emphasizes the transferability of skills and knowledge which graduates bring to their work. It is possible that the diversity of researcher's disciplines, combined with the dangerously low numbers of LIS graduations, may also threaten the future of LIS research and education in Australia. Based on the findings of this study, the sustainability of LIS research and research training for the next generation in Australia is under threat.     

Developing Personal Course Plans (PCPs) as an Example of Self-Directed Learning in Library Management and Project Management Education

This article examines the education of library (MLS) graduate students in courses of library management or in special topic courses in project management in libraries and information centers. To examine the specific skill of project management, a method was employed allowing students to set deadlines as a form of self-directed learning. The student-created syllabi milestones were piloted to search for a match between student abilities and development of project management processes upon degree completion. The use of a proposed and piloted technique was implemented here through a tool named the Personal Course Plan (PCP). It was designed to assist students in learning the value of setting personal schedules for their enrolled graduate course, much as a library project manager would use in practice in libraries. Personal Course Plans (PCPs) were effectively developed by students and allowed the ability to self-monitor their performance on completing project deliverables, meeting expectations of supervisors, and judging their own performance. As the experience was a positive one for both the instructor and students, this article provides not only an operational examination, but also proposes theoretical justification for using such a teaching method in library and information science education. Described are details LIS faculty should consider in implementing the method in teaching and gives future library employers of LIS program graduates a sense of what project management skills recent graduates are receiving.     

Infusing Knowledge of Indigenous Lifeways Into Graduate Collection Management Education

ABSTRACT

In 2013, we conducted a survey of faculty and recent graduates from graduate schools of library and information science (LIS). The purpose of this study was to assess student (as represented by recent graduates) and faculty awareness and opinions about incorporating content about Indigenous ways into their curricula. In short, we found that recent graduates and their faculty were both aware of Indigenous ways but sought varying ways to inform themselves. Faculty believed that they covered this topic in the classes they taught, while graduates reported that they did not hear of Indigenous ways in their course work. Of the courses that LIS students take in their programs, a class on collection management provides a useful platform through which to explore Indigenous identity and access and care of Indigenous cultural knowledge.     

Creation and loss of sociotechnical capital among information professionals educated online

One goal of library and information science (LIS) education is for graduates to engage with the profession and interact with one another throughout their careers. The increase over the last decade in online distance learning options for LIS students presents a challenge to educators with respect to this goal: are students who earn the degree online sufficiently connected with one another to encourage the growth of lasting and productive professional networks? This article examines this question by looking at creation and loss of sociotechnical capital among LIS distance education graduates. The findings indicate that LIS educators should consider sociotechnical capital issues at the individual, interpersonal, and cohort level to support shared, lasting professional contributions.     

A Survey of Cataloging Education: Are Library Schools Listening?

ABSTRACT

In recent years a number of surveys of cataloging education have been conducted, and each of those surveys has suggested changes in library education. This survey reviews the current state of cataloging education by evaluating courses taught by 47 ALA accredited programs and compares the results to previous studies. This study examined the types of cataloging courses offered in LIS programs to determine if the type of course taught has changed over time. Additionally, this study examined course offering frequencies to determine if LIS programs are making the kind of courses needed to train cataloging librarians available to their students. It is concluded that although LIS programs are continuing to offer and require introductory courses in cataloging and bibliographic control, they are relying more heavily on these introductory courses to provide the bulk of cataloging education.     

图书馆学专业毕业生就业核心竞争力

从就业竞争力与就业核心竞争力的概念分析入手,提出一套针对图书馆学专业毕业生的就业核心竞争力策略,主张学科内通过生态位错位构建、全程职业生涯构建,学科外通过综合信息素质培养等举措来提升竞争力;针对教学实践,借鉴国外的优秀经验,倡导在宏观上从“大学科”视角研讨图书馆学教育问题;在微观上从职业应用角度来设置课程体系,以此作为图书馆学专业毕业生就业核心竞争力的提升保障。     

Are Library Science Programs Preparing New Librarians? Creating a Sustainable and Vibrant Librarian Community

Recent studies show a growing sense of frustration for new library and information science (LIS) graduates who struggle to gain employment, as well as for hiring libraries who find the skills of entry-level employee candidates to be lacking. This study endeavors to discover the origins of this troubling juxtaposition by examining the perceptions of recent LIS graduates. The researchers administered a large-scale survey with over 575 respondents, analyzed and coded the data, and compared codes using a Cohen's kappa calculation. The responses indicate that LIS graduates feel that their LIS education would have been more valuable had it given them more opportunities to gain experience, more courses in technology and instruction, more guidance in which courses to take, and more mentoring opportunities with practicing information professionals.     

Library and learning experiences turned mobile: A comparative study between LIS and non-LIS students

The rapid developments of wireless telecommunication networks and the widespread increase of smartphone ownership around the world have created tremendous impacts on the services provided by institutions of higher education worldwide on several dimensions. Unarguably, mobile technologies have created new and unforeseen opportunities for educators, information services providers and students to experience the new horizon of teaching, learning, as well as knowledge transfer and creation. Taking into consideration that since Library and Information Science (LIS) students are training to become future LIS professionals, they are expected to be ready as well as active in integrating mobile technology into their daily learning practices.This study was set up to examine two groups of students (namely: LIS versus non-LIS students) at Peking University – their attitudes and level of activeness in adopting mobile technology in their daily life, as well as in their learning practices. Quantitative questionnaire survey was used for data collection, and a total number of 319 responses (i.e., LIS, 63 and non-LIS, 256) were collected from this study. Findings of this study reveal that no significant differences were found between the two student groups (LIS versus non-LIS) in many areas. In fact, both LIS and non-LIS student groups were using their smartphones to engage in different learning, research, social networking, pastimes, and recreational activities on similar level. However, it was concerning to note that the LIS student group was slightly less active in accessing the online services and resources provided by their university library. This was a particular finding that went against the researchers' original anticipation. However, such unexpected finding did not mean that these LIS students were necessarily less active or ‘open’ as mobile learners. For the reason that in comparison to their non-LIS counterparts, they were equally as active as in terms of using their mobile devices for other learning (particularly collaborative learning) and research purposes. Further studies are recommended to determine various factors that are hindering these LIS students from using the university library's online resources and services on a more active level.     

图书情报学(LIS)领域的循证科学研究进展

[目的/意义]从文献内容角度了解图书情报学（LIS）领域对循证科学的研究进展,重点分析主要的研究主题及近年研究方向,同时进行国际与国内的对比。[方法/过程]从Web of Science核心合集、CNKI和万方数据库的核心期刊中检索LIS领域关于循证科学的研究。使用内容分析法,从年发文量、所属学科领域对目标文献集进行统计分析,并重点从学科交叉研究、LIS学科职能及其研究对象两种视角分析其研究主题及近5年的研究主题,同时进行国际与国内对比。[结果/结论]LIS领域的循证科学研究涉及医学、护理及卫生保健、政策科学、信息系统、教育学等多个学科领域;最终将LIS领域关于循证科学的主要研究主题总结为10类,其中"图情机构服务及图书馆员的专业发展"和"证据来源及获取方法、技术"为核心主题;无论是从涉及的学科领域及主题的广度还是对各主题研究的深度而言,国内均相对较弱。     

Educating instruction librarians: A model for Library and Information Science education

The rise of the librarian's role in teaching information literacy competencies and assessing student learning outcomes requires that instruction librarians be cognizant of and competent in a broad array of teaching and assessment skills. A review of the literature shows that, while instruction librarians are proactive in improving their level of expertise, they also express the need to have training and experience during their graduate programs. This article utilizes a case-study approach to propose a model of instruction librarian education. The authors, recent graduates from the University of Hawai'i Library and Information Science Program, analyze the effect of their experiences in a semester-long teaching practicum and a formal graduate level course in instructional methodology. It is proposed that future instruction librarians be provided opportunities for extended teaching practicums combined with coursework in instructional theory during their Library and Information Science program.     

韩国图书情报学教育简史

[目的/意义] 考察韩国图书情报学教育历史,有利于把握其发展特点和建设规律。[方法/过程] 通过阅读国内外与韩国图书情报教育相关的文献,凝练出韩国图书情报教育的发展规律,进而得出韩国图书情报教育的未来发展趋势。[结果/结论] 韩国早期的图书馆学教育主要由教育培训机构施行,基本延续了美国图书馆学教育的模式。20世纪80年代中期以后,图书情报教育进入高学历繁荣阶段,课程设置与研究领域向外扩展,社会需求量大于人才培养量,毕业生更愿意到图书馆就业,图书情报学教育走上繁荣与稳定发展之路。     

Diversity in the Classroom

Summary

Graduate schools of library and information science (LIS) are rediscovering civic engagement. Examples illustrate how LIS students further diversity efforts through service-based learning experiences. LIS students involved in the American Library Association's Spectrum Initiative helped plan the leadership institute and the longitudinal study of scholars. Students prepared pathfinders for faculty at tribal community colleges and tribal schools. LIS students helped develop and operate “If I Can Read, I Can Do Anything,” a national reading program for schools serving Native children. LIS students helped create a virtual tour of the National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI).     

The Bologna reform at the department of library and information science and book studies, university of Ljubljana

Relevance of the new Bologna study programme at the Department of Library and Information Science and Book Studies at University of Ljubljana is demonstrated from different aspects. The example of IS&R themes and topics which are recognized as one of LIS core areas is used to show the differences from the previous study programme in terms of content, together with coverage of Web 2.0 related themes. In regard to teaching and learning methods it is shown how e-learning is used to support the educational process. At the end a few insights into employability of future graduates are added.     

Students perceptions on the long-range value of information literacy instruction through a learning community

Whereas academic library participation in learning communities has become visible in recent years, the literature is still lacking research studies providing assessment data. This article offers the first perspective from students on the value of information literacy instruction through a learning community and the impact that instruction has on academic careers. A qualitative research method of focus group interviews was employed to solicit opinions from students who completed during a three-year period the University of Hawaii at Manoa's (UHM) Libraries, Scholarship, and Technology (LIS 100) learning community course. The findings indicate learning communities provide a valuable context for learning both affective and cognitive information literacy skills necessary in an undergraduate education.     

THE I-SCHOOL CONCEPT IN THE UNITED STATES AND BEYOND

信息学院(i-school)在当今美国图书情报学(LIS)教育史中具有重要作用.本文明确了信息学院的关键特征,并描述其如何帮助定位图书情报学教育长期面临的挑战.以"人、信息、技术"为中心,信息学院已经在科研和教学中建立了强大的多学科项目,结果获得学科地位提升、交叉学科伙伴、学生入学增多和较强的经费支持.在美国以外的地方也正在出现类似信息学院的模式,可见于中国、印度、日本、新加坡和德国.参考文献12.     

Factors that Increase the Probability of a Successful Academic Library Job Search

Finding a position in an academic library can be challenging for recent Library and Information Science (LIS) graduates. While LIS students are often encouraged to seek out experience, network, and improve upon their technology skills in hopes of better improving their odds in the job market, little research exists to support this anecdotal advice. This study quantifies the academic and work experiences of recent LIS graduates in order to provide a better understanding of what factors most significantly influence the outcome of their academic library job searches. The survey results demonstrate that the job outlook is most positive for candidates who applied early, obtained academic library experience (preferably employment), participated in professional conferences, and gained familiarity with committee work.     

LIS Graduate Students as Library Users: A Survey Study

Library and information science (LIS) students at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, were surveyed to ascertain their patterns of library use and their perceptions of the value of various library services. The data reveals similarities and differences to previously studied general graduate student populations, at both Illinois and other universities. The analysis highlights differences between distance and on-campus students, an important division in LIS professional education. Beyond the utility of the findings for understanding the information needs and behaviors of the target population, the study sheds light on pre-professional LIS students' use of libraries and their attitudes toward services they are being trained to provide.     

Playing to Their Passion: A Legal Research Course that Resonates with Law Students

The first year of law school is chock-full of new experiences. Students can become overwhelmed in the face of so much change that they forget why they chose law school as a career path. They often lose sight of their end goal and need a touchstone to ground them back to their initial interests. Legal Research is the ideal first-year class to connect the acquisition of legal skills with interesting topics in a way that encourages students’ engagement in their present and future learning. By adding a student-selected subject context to their class, Legal Research instructors can incorporate contextualized learning and active learning techniques that improve student engagement and student learning. This article discusses the transformation of a generic, required, first-year legal research course into one that divides into four small (18–20 students) classes, each with one of four topics: patent, trademark and copyright, traditional practice, and social justice. In addition, it envisions future innovations to improve student engagement and student learning.     

Outcomes of the Bologna Process in LIS higher education: Comparing two programs in Europe

PurposeThe Bologna Process (BP) approach is distinguished by its emphasis on outcomes, moving the criteria for quality from input (what faculty teaches) to learning outcomes (what students will be able to do).MethodologyThe authors want to look at the issues and opportunities involved in applying the learning outcomes approach in two southern European countries with similar traditions and no previous experience of this approach. Data were collected from a documentary review based on official documents and open statistics and a survey of selected stakeholders connected to the LIS schools of Parma and Barcelona.FindingsWithin the BP framework, the LIS schools of Parma and Barcelona have distinctive missions and goals but differ in their approach to defining the attributes they expect of their graduates. Although LIS as an academic and educational undertaking has common historical roots in Spain and Italy, research and education since BP has developed in different directions.LimitationsFindings are based on the context of higher education in Italy and Spain, although the focus is on the two LIS schools of Parma and Barcelona.Originality/value of the paperThere are definite barriers to using learning outcomes as a measure of quality enhancement for LIS educational programs. Not least is the challenge of developing a list of learning outcomes that stakeholders at both national and international level can agree on. Nevertheless, this study concludes that LIS learning outcomes in Europe should be investigated as a means of benchmarking and determining the feasibility of guidelines regarding the equivalency and reciprocity of professional LIS qualifications.