MLIS Program-Level Student Learning Outcomes
University of South Florida
School of Information
Goal I
Leadership and Innovation
Students are innovative, ethical, problem-solvers able to lead and manage through communication, collaboration, and reflection.
I.a. Evaluate critically, reflect, and problem-solve individually as well as collaboratively.
I.b. Demonstrate effective communication skills.
I.c. Participate in professional and community engagement activities in the field.
I.d. Demonstrate leadership skills and innovation in a diverse and global environment
Demonstration:
In LIS 6271 Research Methods in Library & Information Science and LIS 6511 Collection Development & Maintenance, I collaborated on projects with a team of classmates throughout the semester. Being in a fully online program, we found it worked well for us to meet weekly online to synthesize the individual elements of the assigned project. We practiced leadership skills like delegation and communication to submit a synthesis of our course readings and to complete the collection development tasks of a Needs Assessment, Collection Development Policy, Collection Assessment, and the Action Plan and Selection. The collaborations in the Collection Development course emulated the process and teamwork necessary to complete collection development in a library.
The objectives of collaboration, communication, and professional engagement are displayed in the 2020 FLA presentation I co-authored with fellow USF MLIS classmate, now alum, Paul Bazile. Our presentation "When Diversity ≠ Equity & Inclusion: In a demographically diverse city, a public and academic library continue to strive for equity, inclusion, and serving underrepresented diversities" highlights methods our libraries have used to serve and do outreach to our diverse community and student populations.
Course Artifacts:
LIS 6511 Collection Development & Maintenance
• Library Needs Assessment, Collection Development
LIS 6946 Fieldwork at Northeast Florida Library Information Network (NEFLIN)
• NEFLIN Vendor Discount Program Website & List of Vendors
LIS 5020 Foundations of Library & Information Science
• The Inquisitive Side of Service, interview with Library Director Nicole Covone
Co-Curricular Artifact:
Florida Library Association Presentation "Diversity ≠ Equity & Inclusion: Institutional Strategies for Diverse Communities"
Goal II
Systems and Services
Students understand the systems and technologies that facilitate the management and use of information resources to serve the diverse needs of users.
II.a. Identify and analyze diverse information needs of individuals and communities.
II.b. Evaluate and select print and digital information resources and systems to meet needs of users.
II.c. Understand and use appropriate information technology for information services.
Demonstration:
LIS 6603 Basic Information Sources & Services, LIS 5937 Cultural Heritage (Spring 2020), LIS 5937 Human Rights and Libraries helped me identify and analyze diverse information needs of individuals and communities. Basic Information Sources & Services was one of the first classes in my first semester at USF. Building a LibGuide and reading the texts highlighting reference and instruction services helped me when I began my position as a reference and instruction librarian at Johnson & Wales University. Having prior experience with LibGuides and knowledge of conducting a reference interview allowed me to put my skills to use right away at JWU. Working in a library setting while completing my final semesters in my MLIS was ideal to gain practice and experience in the skills and knowledge I was developing.
As a reference and instruction librarian at JWU in North Miami, I teach information literacy instruction and access scholarship through our books, eBooks, and databases. I preview databases with JWU librarians from our campuses in Denver, Charlotte, and Providence; one of the most recent database additions I worked on is LGBTQ+ Source. As the liaison librarian to the School of Business, I consult with faculty to ensure our library is meeting the needs of our faculty, staff, and students, particularly with our recent addition of an MBA degree. I am a co-coordinator of our annual Literary Cake Contest, and I teach library instruction in the E-Lab with a focus on resources for small businesses and entrepreneurs.
Course Artifacts:
LIS 6603 Basic Information Sources & Services
• North Miami Resources LibGuide
LIS 5937 Human Rights & Libraries
• TransCon, Community Engagement Report
LIS 5937 Makerspaces & Making
• Makerspace LibGuide for JWU Culinary, Baking & Pastry, and Fashion Departments
LIS 6409 Introduction to Library Administration
• Strategic Plan: Implementing Evening Hours at the Johnson & Wales University Library
Co-Curricular Artifact:
Literary Cake Contest JWU ScholarsArchives
Goal III
Knowledge Representation
Students are proficient in the theory and application of skills essential for knowledge representation in evolving technology environments, in any chosen area of specialization.
III.a. Analyze, organize and describe various formats of information objects.
III.b. Identify and apply best practices in the use of different technologies for knowledge representation.
Demonstration:
My MLIS courses of LIS 6773 Digital Curation (Spring 2020), LIS 6515 Web Archiving, and LIS 6026 Archives & Records Management (Spring 2020) have helped me build me a foundation in technology and preservation in libraries, museums, special collections, and archives. Archive-It, the Internet Archive and its Wayback Machine, the web archive at the Library of Congress, and becoming familiar with Describing Archives: A Content Standard (DACS) have prepared me to pursue a career in music archives and special collections.
Pairing these courses with my experiences at the archival fellowship at the Institute of Jazz Studies at Rutgers University and the skills I am learning as a librarian at JWU have provided me with opportunities to utilize and apply discovery and access technologies within my current positions. I completed a poster for FACRL based on experiences from the IJS Fellowship.
Course Artifacts:
LIS 6711 Organization of Knowledge I
• How Recent Changes in Subject Descriptions Improve Classification
LIS 6515 Web Archiving
• Comparing the Web Archives at Library of Congress and the National Library of Australia
Co-Curricular Artifact:
FACRL Poster based on Archival Fellowship at the Institute of Jazz Studies
Goal IV
Theory and Praxis
Students have a critical grounding in theoretical perspectives that draw on research in LIS as well as other fields of knowledge, that inform their professional practices including research, organization, management, and access to information.
IV.a. Describe applications of quantitative and qualitative research methodologies in library and information science.
IV.b. Identify opportunities and develop plans for research in applied settings in library and information science.
Demonstration:
LIS 6271 Research Methods in Library & Information Science prepared me to recognize opportunities for current research within my position at JWU and to identify research methodologies to use in my scholarship. This course complimented my experiences as the supervisor of library services at Broward College (BC). At BC I obtained Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval to assist with the Aspen Institute Faculty Innovation Grant Poster Collection, and I attended the faculty semester seminar the Science of Teaching and Learning (SoTL). This course and these experiences helped me research and collaborate on my conference posters and presentation and recognize future opportunities in librarianship where I can play an active role in research, scholarship, and innovation.
Course Artifact:
LIS 6271 Research Methods in Library & Information Science
• A Brief Examination of How the US News Media Creates a False Equivalency of Ideology and Social Theory
Co-Curricular Artifacts: