General Program of Study
The Library profession is constantly evolving to manage the almost daily advances in technology – as well as the increasing sophistication of library users. The MLIS: Pitt Online program will give you the essential skills and theoretical knowledge necessary to succeed as an information professional in a wide variety of positions and library facilities. You’ll take four core courses to gain competency in organizing, retrieving, and managing information centers. These courses will provide a familiarity with various technologies and types of library institutions.
Core Courses
LIS 2000 Understanding Information (taken in the first term)
Introduction to major ideas and concerns of the information professions and examination of formal communication of relevant ideas, information, and knowledge. Exploration of nature and role of organizations in which archivists and librarians work.
LIS 2005 Organizing and Retrieving Information (taken in the second term)
Key concepts in information organization and information retrieval, including: terminology and models of organizing and retrieving information; nature of user information needs and implications for information organization and information retrieval; identifying appropriate resources from the range of types and formats; formulating retrieval strategies; and identifying information appropriate to the user.
LIS 2600 Introduction to Information Technology (taken in the first term)
Introduction to computing and networking, with an emphasis on how computing and networking technologies are used to create, manipulate, and disseminate information related to library and archival services. Focus on a series of underlying themes, including standardization, interoperability, and hypertext presentation, with an emphasis on core technologies of digital libraries; namely, databases and digital documents. Web design, layout, and publishing. Incorporate a set of competencies essential for librarians and information professionals. "Hands-on" experience with relevant technologies.
LIS 2700 Managing Libraries & Information Centers in Changing Environments
Topics relevant to library management of public, academic and special libraries: management theories; strategic planning; grant proposal writing; fiscal management; professional association; HR/personnel; project management; licensing; facilities management; assessment.
After you complete the core courses, your plan of study can be designed around your individual and career interests by taking a series of eight elective courses. For example, you might be considering working with a specific type of collection or patron group. Or, your interests may lie more toward foundational library activities such as indexing, cataloguing or digitizing. This program of study will give you the greatest career flexibility.
Please note that not all courses are offered each term. You should work with your advisor to plan a coherent course of study based on projected course offerings.
Some of the electives you might consider include:
LIS 2184 LEGAL ISSUES IN INFORMATION HANDLING: COPYRIGHT AND FAIR USE IN THE DIGITAL AGE
Concepts, legislation, and case law about censorship, freedom of access to information, privacy, copyright, professional liability, and other issues. Legal implications and safeguards. Origins, development, evolution, and pivotal role of copyright, fair use, and related issues within 21st century information, legal, policy, and economic framework. Key and emerging issues such as public domain, orphan works, Section 108 exceptions for libraries and archives, licensing, recent statutory legislation and case law, and international copyright. Alternative protection schema, such as Open Access and Creative Commons.
LIS 2194/TELCOM 2515 INFORMATION ETHICS
Digital-age intersection of information and ethics with emphasis on key areas of intellectual property, privacy, confidentiality, authenticity, plagiarism, diversity/inclusion and special populations, accessibility, intellectual freedom, censorship, social networking, cyber bullying, security, preservation, transparency, accountability, policy making, and professionalism. Ethical theories and application of ethical decision-making models to real-world library and information center scenarios. Analysis of codes of ethics. Issues and resources related to creation, implementation, enforcement, and assessment of institutional ethical codes. (Cross listed with INFSCI 2210 and TELCOM 2515)
LIS 2214 LIBRARY AND ARCHIVAL PRESERVATION
Preservation and conservation of library and archival collections. Basic foundation in theoretical, managerial, analytical, and practical applications of preservation.
LIS 2322 RESOURCES FOR CHILDREN
Survey of literature, film, video, and other formats for children from infancy to adolescence, with an emphasis on contemporary sources. Critical evaluation of materials for use in a multicultural society and strategies to encourage the use of those materials by children and those who work with children.
LIS 2332 RESOURCES AND SERVICES FOR ADULTS
Survey of materials in a variety of formats of interest to and importance for adults, with an emphasis on popular resources, utilization of resources, and program development.
LIS 2323 RESOURCES FOR YOUNG ADULTS
Survey of literature, periodicals, video, and electronic formats of interest to and importance for young adults, with an emphasis on contemporary sources. Critical evaluation of materials for use in a multicultural society and strategies to encourage the use of those materials by young adults and those who work with young adults.
LIS 2324 HISTORY OF CHILDREN'S LITERATURE
Introduction to literature for children from the Anglo-Saxon period in England through the 19th century in England and America. Emphasis on social and cultural history as reflected by literature for young people.
LIS 2334 INFORMATION RESOURCES, SERVICES & TECHNOLOGY IN AN AGING WORLD
This course will focus on collection development, reference, and education services for older adults, and their professional and family caregivers. the course will cover the critical evaluation of materials in print, non-print, and electronic formats, and a discussion of information services provided by healthcare organizations, community agencies, medical center and hospital libraries, public libraries which serve an aging population, and academic libraries serving students in the helping professions. This course is especially appropriate for those interested in working in medical and public libraries, healthcare organizations, community agencies, and academic libraries with students and faculty interested in the helping or service professions, especially in fields that focus on older people.
LIS 2500 REFERENCE RESOURCES AND SERVICES
Survey and application of tools (paper and electronic) needed to respond to questions in the changing reference environment. Discussion of philosophies and theories underlying the practice of general reference. Introduction to subject reference tools and services. Prerequisite/corequisite: LIS 2005.
LIS 2537 GOVERNMENT INFORMATION RESOURCES AND SERVICES
The American political environment and its impact on the availability and control of information emanating from the federal government. Consideration and analysis of federal-government materials in many formats. Pre/Co-requisite: LIS 2005.
LIS 2585 HEALTH CONSUMER RESOURCES AND SERVICES
Collection development, reference, and educational services in the domain of consumer-health resources in print, non-print, and electronic formats. Identification of appropriate and accurate resources for consumer health and family education; policy issues in providing consumer and family-health information in different settings; role of public media; and information and referral services to and from healthcare organizations, community agencies, and public libraries.
LIS 2586 HEALTH SCIENCES RESOURCES AND SERVICES
Survey and evaluation of current sources, services, and trends related to information transfer in the health sciences, including medicine, nursing, pharmacy, dentistry, allied health, and veterinary science. Materials and services appropriate to hospital, academic, and special libraries, and information centers.
LIS 2587 APPLICATIONS IN MEDICAL INFORMATICS
A survey of concepts and activities in medical informatics, including an introduction to the applications of information technology in the areas of knowledge-based information and library informatics; integrated hospital information systems and patient-specific information; nursing, radiology, pathology, and pharmacy services; clinical decision support; telehealth; and medical education. Also included are concepts related to informatics in healthcare financing; legal, ethical, and philosophical issues in medical informatics; and consumer informatics.
LIS 2633 TECHNOLOGY IN THE LIVES OF CHILDREN AND YOUTH
Effects of media on young people, ages birth to 18 years; technology in everyday life--from toys to television; gaming and libraries; filtering; privacy and child safety; social networking/cyber bullying; information/media literacy instruction in children’s libraries (public); digital libraries for children; evaluation of digital resources for children; children’s information behavior; interaction/interface design for young people; digital divide and social equity issues; global perspectives--technology in young people’s lives around the world; future trends.
LIS 2635 INFORMATION ARCHITECTURE
Practical and theoretical issues associated with information architecture in organizations. User and organizational information needs and uses provide the basis for the conceptual design of Web-based information systems and methods for analysis of stakeholder needs. Designed for students wishing to enhance knowledge and skills related to Web development, networks, and related concepts. Prerequisite: LIS 2600.
LIS 2670 DIGITAL LIBRARIES
An examination of the conditions and factors influencing the development of digital library services, focusing largely on socioeconomic and technological issues. Prerequisite: LIS 2600
For information about careers in librarianship, you should check the websites of the American Library Association and the Public Library Association.
For more information, please contact our Student Recruitment Coordinator at lisinq@sis.pitt.edu or 412-648-3108.
