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Academic Librarianship: Overview

Academic Librarianship

Bulletin Description

The academic library plays an essential role in higher education. This course will provide a comprehensive overview of academic libraries. It will explore the role of the library in the larger higher education ecosystem; the many resources in the academic library; and the services it provides to students, faculty, staff, and the community.

Course Info

Semester: Fall 2024

Mode: In person; at Baruch College

Meeting Day/Time: Thursdays, 3:55-6:30 pm

Readings Info

Required Textbook

No textbook is required for this class. Note that I will be assigning several chapters of this book:

Greenwell, S., Evans, G. E., & Alire, C. A. (2018). Academic Librarianship, Second Edition. ALA Neal-Schuman.

Each chapter that I assign will be made available as a PDF. However, it is a succinct overview of the field of academic librarianship written in an accessible style, so you may wish to purchase it for your personal use.

Weekly Readings

There will be readings relevant to each class topic. All readings will be available to download here or to access through the Queens College Library. If you have problems accessing any of the readings, please let me know! I am committed to making all if the readings available to you for free.

Chronicle of Higher Education

It is helpful to read The Chronicle of Higher Education. (To access the journal’s current online issue and website, visit here: https://www-chronicle-com.queens.ezproxy.cuny.edu). By skimming the site and reading the week’s top articles, you will stay up-to-date on issues in higher education.   

Instructor Contact Info

Rachel Leff, MLIS

Head of Research Services, Sarah Lawrence College Library, Bronxville, NY

 

You can reach me by email:

rachel.leff@qc.cuny.edu

Alternatively, you are welcome to email me at my personal email address:

rachel.leff@gmail.com

I will respond to emails within 24 hours on weekdays and within 48 hours on weekends.

Office Hours

I will have office hours two hours a week on Zoom and by appointment. We will discuss options for those two hours during our first meeting.

I am also happy to meet with you after class.

Course Learning Goals

This course aims to provide students with an understanding of the major components of academic libraries, common academic library resources, and academic library services. Students will learn about the role of the library in higher education, the physical library, ACRL Framework for Information Literacy, academic library classification systems, how to conduct a research consultation, how to plan an instruction session, and current issues impacting academic libraries, including artificial intelligence and information ethics.

 

Student Learning Outcomes

Please see the table below for the Course Student Learning Outcomes (Course SLOs), and how the Assignments, Exercises & Activities align with them and the GSLIS Student Learning Outcomes

Course (LBSCI 790.3: Academic Librarianship)

Student Learning Outcomes

Assignments

GSLIS Student Learning Outcomes

A

B

C

D

E

F

G
  1. Articulate the major functions of the academic library (access services, archives/special collections, collection development, critical librarianship, management, research and instruction, scholarly communication, and technical services).

Final Paper and Presentation

X

X

X
  1. Describe the local and national academic library organizations and methods on staying up-to-date and engaged in the profession.

Professional Organization Event Assignment

X

X

  1. Discuss how to use the Library of Congress classification system and its role in the academic library; critically assess the system for bias and describe ways classification is being made more inclusive.

Reflection Assignments: Reflection Paper 1

X

X

X

  1. Utilize the ACRL Framework for Information Literacy and principles of instructional design to teach information literacy to students. 

Information Literacy Instruction Assignment

X

X

  1. Conduct a successful research consultation that includes navigating resources.

Research Consultation Exercise

X

X

  1. Examine the role of the academic library in scholarly communication and the larger academic publishing ecosystem.

Reflection Assignments: Reflection Paper 2

X

X

  1. Explore current issues and concerns in higher education and academic libraries.

Reflection Assignments: Reflection Paper 3

X

X

X

X

GSLIS Student Learning Outcomes:

  1. Enable access to information and knowledge, including its creation, acquisition, organization and management, storage and retrieval

  1. Articulate the role and importance of ethics, values, lifelong learning and advocacy underlying the practice of the information professions

  1. Apply appropriate standards, policies, tools and practices in various specializations of information science, as articulated by representative professional organizations

  1. Design and conduct research studies, critically assess research claims, and synthesize and disseminate findings

  1. Advocate for social justice, particularly in our metropolitan community, by understanding the needs, designing programs with, and amplifying the strengths of our underserved groups

  1. Identify, evaluate and implement current and emerging technologies to create, store, and present information in a way such that users can access it, process it, and experience it

  1. Explain and apply principles of effective management and leadership in the library and related information institutions in a rapidly changing society