The University of Arizona Spring 2007
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: Mondays, 4:00-5:30; Tuesdays, 1:30-3:00 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
• 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 the following:
• The evolution of managerial thought
• The role of mangers
• Power and leadership
• Motivation
• Group dynamics
• Organizational structure
They should also be able to demonstrate the following:
• Organizational planning and staffing;
• Budgeting and fiscal practices;
• Analyzing and proposing solutions to organizational problems
• Perform collaborative work
• Present professional quality 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, or IRLS 560 before taking this course.
Class Meetings: Tuesdays, 3:30 to 6:00. Please note that we will not meet Tuesday, Jan 16, or Tuesday, March 13.
Required Text:
Stueart, Robert D. and Moran, Barbara B . Library and Information Center Management . 6th ed. Englewood , CO : Libraries Unlimited, 2002.
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: Feb. 20 and March 20
Value: 30%
• Complete one group project of a managerial literature review. This assignment is described below.
Due: March 27
Value: 30%
• 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, Feb. 13 and Feb. 27; Final Library Proposal, May 1.
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:
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.