The University of Arizona

The University of Arizona Fall 2002

School of Information Resources and Dr. Bill Edgar

Library Science Office Phone: 621-5220

E-Mail: bedgar@u.arizona.edu

Office: No. 2

Office Hours: Tuesday 1-3 p.m.; Wednesdays, 3-5 p.m.;

or by appointment

IRLS 608

Planning and Evaluation of Libraries and Information Centers

Course Description: A survey of the philosophies, strategies, and techniques that contribute to the sound management of all types of libraries and information centers. Learning will be through lecture, in-class discussion, in-class exercises, guest speakers, case analyses, a managerial literature review, and completion of a final project proposing the creation of a library.

Course Objectives: Upon completion of the course, the student should understand and be able to demonstrate a working knowledge of such topics as the evolution of management thought; organizational planning and staffing; budgeting and fiscal practices; the roles of managers; power and leadership; and issues in personnel management. Also, students will acquire ability to analyze work problems, propose realistic solutions, and determine how to evaluate these solutions; grasp the importance of collaborative work processes; and become comfortable with professional-quality presentation of material.

Prerequisite: There are no formal prerequisites. However, in order that students taking this course have some background in LIS, it is recommended that only those who are in their second or third semester of study at SIRLS take this course. It will be helpful--but not required--for students to have already taken IRLS 501, IRLS 524, and IRLS 560 before taking this course.

Class Meetings: Mondays 3:30-6:00. Please note that we will not meet Monday, September 2 or Monday, November 18.

Required Text:

Stueart, Robert D. and Moran, Barbara B. Library and Information Center Management. 5th ed. Englewood, CO: Libraries Unlimited, 1998.

The following journals and professional association support managerial practice in information service organizations.

Journals: Journal of Library Administration; Library Administration and Management

Professional Association: The American Library Association - Library Administration and Management Association (LAMA) (http://www.ala.org/lama/index.html)

Assignments and Evaluation:

All students are required to:

Complete two written case analyses. This assignment is described below.
Due: October 7 and November 4
Value: 30%

Participate in classroom discussion of two cases. This assignment is described below.
Due: September 23 and October 14
Value: 10%

Complete one managerial literature review. This assignment is described below.
Due: October 21
Value: 20%

Complete a group project describing the creation of a library and its long-range plan and present the proposal orally in class. This assignment is described below.
Due: Interim reports 1 and 2, Sept. 30 and October 14; Final Library Proposal, December 2.
Value: 40% (30% for proposal; 10% for participation in group)

Please note:

Late work will lose one letter grade from the grade it would have gotten had it been turned in on time. However, the final project, the library proposal, will not be accepted late.

Assignments are due at the beginning of class on the assigned due date.
Please include your name on the first page of all your assignments.

Grading criteria:

A=90-100
B=80-89
C=70-79
D=60-69
F=59 and below

Attendance and Class Participation:

Attendance is expected because we do not meet many times. Specifically, please do not schedule on-going outside commitments, such as work or family obligations, during class-time. Overall class participation will have no specific grade value. However, meaningful and active participation will contribute to a student’s final grade by increasing it slightly (for example from a high B to a low A). Conversely, inappropriate and disruptive participation will lower a student’s final grade.

Academic Misconduct:

Academic misconduct is unacceptable. The appropriate UA regulations regarding it will be enforced.

Schedule of Topics and Assignments:

1. Mon. Aug. 26.
Introduction
Lecture: Overview of LIS Organizations and Organization Theory
Readings: Stueart chapter 1

2. Mon. Sept. 2
No Class: Labor Day

3. Mon. September 9
Lecture: Information Society and Strategy

4. Mon. September 16
In-class Exercise: Planning and Mission, Goals, and Objectives
Readings: Stueart chapter 2

5. Mon. September 23
Lecture: Library Effectiveness
First in-class case discussion

6. Mon. September 30
Lecture: Library Effectiveness
Due: Interim Report 1

7. Mon. October 7
Lecture: Organizational Structure and Staffing
Due: First Written Case Analysis
Readings: Stueart chapters 3 and 4

8. Mon. October 14
Lecture Budgeting and Financial Management
Second in-class case discussion
Due: Interim Report 2
Readings: Stueart chapter 6

9. Mon. October 21
Lecture: Budgeting and Financial Management
Guest Speaker
Due: Managerial Literature Review

10. Mon. October 28
Lecture: Roles of Managers
Guest Speaker
Readings: Stueart chapter 5

11. Mon. November 4
Lecture: Power and Leadership
Due: Second Written Case Analysis
Present Library Proposals

12. Mon. November 11
Present Library Proposals

13. Mon. November 18
No Class: Instructor at Conference

14. Mon. November 25
Present Library Proposals

15. Mon. December 2
Class Evaluations
Final Library Proposals Due
Present Library Proposals