Design of Library Services

Three hours of lecture per week. General introduction to the organization and administration of library services and their place in the institutions and communities they serve. Problems and practices with respect to governance, functions, collections, and building. Management functions as applicable: planning, organizing, innovation, staffing, budgeting, controlling. Technological change.

Outline of Topics:

1. General knowledge of the concepts, vocabulary, and techniques of organizations and management.
2. Introduction to social, economic, political and technological context of academic, public, school, and special libraries.
3. General knowledge of how libraries function.
4. Identification of major challenges and opportunities facing library services.
5. Identification of skills for survival and success as professionals.

The course will include lectures, guest speakers, videos, case studies, field trips, and class discussion. Course requirements will include: analysis of a manager's roles; review of an unfamiliar library; budget exercise; planning exercise ("critical path analysis"); accounting exercise; position description; job announcement; case studies; a specialized small group or individual project that requires recommendations for change in a library service.

This course is designed for first or second year students in the Master's in Information Management & Systems program, but open to Juniors, Seniors, and Graduate students in any majors. Second-year MIMS students may use this project for the required Final Project of the Master's degree.