ILS503 - Foundations of Librarianship

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ILS503 Foundations of Librarianship
Prof. Eino Sierpe
Fall 2008

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Course Description

The development structure and function of library/information agencies. Introduces students to the fundamentals of librarianship and current issues of preoccupation to the information professions. In this course students are given the opportunity to understand the nature of librarianship, develop critical insights about librarianship and its future, as well as to explore issues of their interest.


  • Examine the historical context of libraries.
  • Identify ethics, standards and core competencies;
  • Compare and contrast services and programs of various types of libraries.
  • Analyze intellectual freedom policies and interpretations.
  • Investigate library associations ~ state, regional, national.
  • Explore current trends.

Course Objectives/Student Learning Outcomes


When you have completed this course, you should be able to:
  • demonstrate mastery of course content.
  • demonstrate thinking and problem-solving skills.
  • demonstrate collaborative learning behavior.
  • design and demonstrate [exhibit] an information service.
  • produce a graduate quality paper based on an exploration of one type of agency.
  • plan and present an informational program based on your term paper.
  • Articulate a vision of librarianship and the future of the profession.
  • Articulate an understanding of the role of librarianship in society.
  • Understand the most important issues currently faced by the information professions.
  • Understand the long term implications of technology for the information professions.

Required Texts

  • Rubin, Richard (2004). Foundations of library and information science. 2nd ed. New York: Neal-Schuman. ISBN: 1555705189 (pbk. : alk. paper)
  • Franklin, Ursula (2004). The real world of technology. Rev. ed. Toronto, Ont.: House of Anansi Press. ISBN: 088784636X