Course Syllabus for IRLS588-003
Corporate Library Administration & Organization
Fall 2005
- Course Name, Number, and Prerequisites
- Course Description
- Course Objectives
- Required Course Materials
- Course Requirements
- Course Policies
- Contacting the Instructor
Class Meets: Wednesday, 6:30pm - 9:00pm
Instructor: Sandra Kramer
Head of Information Services
Arizona Health Sciences Library
University of Arizona
1501 North Campbell Avenue
Tucson, AZ 85724
(520) 626-6438
COURSE NAME, NUMBER AND PREREQUISITES
Corporate Library Administration and Organization
IRLS588-003
There are no course prerequisites.
Introduction to the management, information resources, marketing, and business environment of corporate libraries
General overview
Corporate libraries present unique professional opportunities and challenges within rapidly changing business environments. This course will review management of corporate library professionals and staff, service to clients within the for-profit environment and alignment with corporate mission to maximize the library's value to the organization. Today's corporate libraries leverage knowledge resources to increase their companies' competitive edge in an international marketplace.
How this course will be taught
The class will meet Wednesday evenings 6:00pm - 9:00 pm during the Fall Semester. Students will be expected to work individually and in small groups to facilitate learning and open exchange of ideas. There is no textbook for the course. Articles will be placed on the library's electronic reserves website. Class will be a combination of group discussions, individual presentations and lectures. The librarian from the Tucson IBM library will share her experiences and insights with the class. We will also meet with a former Rand Corporation librarian who will talk about conducting research in a diverse, fast-paced business environment.
By the completion of this course, you will:
- know the management and organizational fundamentals of corporate librarianship
- know the information resources relevant to corporate libraries
- know the role of the corporate library as knowledge integrator operating in a global business environment
- know the career opportunities for corporate librarianship
- be able to align corporate libraries with corporate business goals
- be able to maximize corporate library impact through marketing and outreach to upper management
- be able to identify, negotiate and manage global access to information resources
Students need online access, either by way of their own computers and Internet connection or by public access means (such as those provided in Public Libraries or in on campus labs).
There is no set text for the course.
There are online materials available either directly on the Web or through password protected electronic reserves at the library.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
The course requirements are:
| 20% | Create PowerPoint corporate overview and analysis |
|---|---|
| 20% | Submit marketing plan for literature search & analysis services |
| 15% | Create PowerPoint marketing presentation |
| 40% | Submit comprehensive administrative review |
| 5% | Class participation |
Corporate Library Selection - A specific corporate library will be assigned to you on the first day of class. You will use this designated corporate library as the basis for all of your assignments during the semester. You may request a specific corporate library of interest to you and every effort will be made to accept preferences. However, each student must have a different corporate library in order to reflect a range of industries within class for discussion and analysis. Corporations will also be available for assignment the first day of class for those students who do not express a corporate library assignment preference.
Corporate Overview and Analysis (20%) - Create a PowerPoint presentation of 20-30 minutes, not including Q&A. Overview and analysis must include:
- Description of the industry in which the corporation does business
- Corporate history, including mergers and acquisitions
- Major competitors within the industry
- Corporate statistics: R&D budget, number of employees, total revenue, sales by business divisions & major products
- Current news, legislation, events that may impact the corporation
- Forecasts, trends and projections
Create Marketing Plan for Literature Search & Analysis Services (20%)
Submit 3-4 page marketing plan for the Library's literature search and analysis services. Marketing plan must include: overview of services, expansion of current client base, positioning of services to reflect corporate mission and business strategy, deployment of current staff to meet increased demand.
Create PowerPoint Marketing Presentation (15%) - Create a PowerPoint presentation of 20-30 minutes, not including Q&A. The presentation will be based upon the marketing plan for your library's literature search and analysis services. Your target audience is the Market Research Department.
Submit Comprehensive Administrative Review (40%)
Write a 10-12 page comprehensive administrative review of your library. Your target audience: Your library now reports to a new director, one who recently joined the corporation The new director requested this review to thoroughly familiarize her with the library.
Your administrative review will include the following:
- Mission and vision of library
- Organizational chart
- Goals and objectives
- Services: literature search & review, reference, end-user training, competitive intelligence, current awareness
- Collection: Electronic resources available via library intranet
- Representation on corporate teams and high profile projects
- Excerpts from your marketing plan
- Provide examples of the library's value to the corporation
Class Participation (5%)
Students are expected to complete reading assignments before each class and participate in class discussions. Your active participation in class discussions will facilitate your learning and enhance the experience of all students.
COURSE POLICIES
Academic Code of Integrity
Students are expected to abide by The University of Arizona Code of Academic Integrity. 'The guiding principle of academic integrity is that a student's submitted work must be the student's own.' If you have any questions regarding what is acceptable practice under this Code, please ask an Instructor.
Accommodating Disabilities
The University has a Disability Resource Center . If you anticipate the need for reasonable accommodations to meet the requirements of this course, you must register with the Disability Resource Center and request that the DRC send me, the Instructor, official notification of your accommodation needs as soon as possible. Please plan to meet with me by appointment or during office hours to discuss accommodations and how my course requirements and activities may impact your ability to fully participate.
Incompletes
The 1997-8 University of Arizona General Academic Manual, p.23 reads
The grade of I may be awarded only at the end of a semester, when all but a minor portion of the course work has been satisfactorily completed. The grade of I is not to be awarded when the student is expected to repeat the course; in such a case the grade of E must be assigned. Students should make arrangements with the instructor to receive an incompete grade before the end of the semester ...
If the incomplete is not removed by the instructor within one year the I grade will revert to a failing grade.
CONTACTING THE INSTRUCTORSandra Kramer
Head of Information Services
Arizona Health Sciences Library
University of Arizona
1501 North Campbell Avenue
Tucson, AZ 85724
skramer@ahsl.arizona.edu
(520) 626-6438