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Master’s in Library and Information Science Program Bulletin Fall 2014

Classes in library science were first offered at the University of Kentucky in 1918. During its formative years, the program emphasized school librarianship. However, by the mid 1950’s the program had expanded to include all aspects of library science. In 1982 the name was changed to the School of Library and Information Science in recognition of the expanding scope of the School’s teaching and research programs.

The School awards a master’s degree in library and information science (LIS), an undergraduate minor in information studies (IS), and an undergraduate Bachelor of Science degree in Information Communication Technology (ICT). The master’s in library and information science is one of approximately 63 educational programs in the United States currently accredited by the American Library Association. It is the only such program located in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. The School is a member of the Association for Library and Information Science Education.

Vision The School of Library and Information Science will be one of the nation's 20 best Schools for information professionals.

Mission The mission of the School of Library and Information Science is: through teaching, to prepare men and women for an ever-expanding array of careers in the information field; through scholarship, to contribute to society's fund of information and knowledge of ways to store, retrieve, and use that information; through professional

service, to assist in the transfer of the discoveries of research to the improvement of lives.

Program Learning Outcomes Core Competency 1: Foundations of the Profession 1.1 Students will describe the roles of information agencies in curating and preserving the cultural record. 1.2 Students will critically evaluate and apply core principles and theories of library and information science (e.g. the role of information agencies in a democratic and pluralistic society). 1.3 Students will define core ethical principles and describe how they should apply them to the practice of library and information science both as individuals and as part of the collective. 1.4 Students will describe major information policies and analyze how they impact the management, organization and dissemination of information in both national and global contexts. 1.5 Students will describe the symbiotic relationships library and information science shares with other disciplines. Core Competency 2: Information Resources 2.1 Students will employ appropriate methods to match information to users’ needs through the identification, selection, evaluation and dissemination of information. 2.2 Students will give special consideration to how information resources support diverse and under-served populations. Core Competency 3: Organization of Recorded Knowledge and Information 3.1 Students will describe and apply appropriate methods of acquiring information in all formats, physical and digital. 3.2 Students will describe and apply methods of information storage appropriate for various forms of physical and digital information. 3.3 Students will describe and apply appropriate methods and standards for describing information in physical and digital formats, with special emphasis given to the application of metadata standards.

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3.4 Students will describe and apply standards for classifying information in physical and digital formats. 3.5 Students will describe and apply appropriate models and methods of information retrieval. Core Competency 4: Technological Knowledge and Skills 4.1 Students will examine and assess various information technologies and describe how they can be used to meet system and user needs. 4.2 Students will experiment with appropriate technologies and tools to be prepared to implement them in a variety of information environments. 4.3 Students will examine emerging technologies to assess ways those technologies might advance the mission of information organizations. Core Competency 5: Information Services 5.1 Students will identify methods for assessing the needs of the constituencies served by an information organization. 5.2 Students will describe the attributes of high quality, user-centered information services. 5.3 Students will describe the professional behaviors that contribute to high quality information services. 5.4 Students will apply instructional strategies in the provision of information services. 5.5 Students will evaluate information services, particularly in light of the need to reach diverse and underserved populations. Core Competency 6: Research 6.1 Students will interpret and evaluate research. 6.2 Students will apply research to the analysis of professional problems. 6.3 Students will describe how empirical research advances the knowledge base and practice of library and information science. Core Competency 7: Continuing Education and Lifelong Learning

7.1 Students will describe the role of professional associations in the field of library and information studies. 7.2 Students will describe how professional service advances both their own professional competence and the field of library and information science. 7.3 Students will explain the importance of updating their professional skills throughout their careers and describe their strategies for doing so. Core Competency 8: Administration and Management 8.1 Students will examine management concepts and identify best leadership practices as they relate to the management of information organizations. 8.2 Students will describe the process of strategic planning. 8.3 Students will describe methods for integrating needs assessment data into strategic planning. 8.4 Students will demonstrate the roles resource management plays in strategic planning. Core Competency 9: Other Areas 9.1 Students will communicate effectively in writing. 9.2 Students will communicate effectively verbally. 9.3 Students will apply critical thinking to solve professional problems.

 

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Student Awards Students of the program are eligible for a number of special awards, including membership in Beta Phi Mu, the international honor society for library and information science graduates, and the Melody Trosper Award, given by the School to a student chosen by the faculty in recognition of excellence in scholarship, leadership, and service.

Student Organizations All students enrolled in the program are members of LISSO, the Library and Information Science Student Organization, which fosters fellowship among the students. In addition to LISSO, there are two other student organizations: a student chapter of the American Library Association (ALA) and a student group of the Special Libraries Association (SLA), both of which provide programming and services intended to help students develop as professionals.

Placement Job announcements are regularly posted on the program listserv. Student groups schedule an annual resume review/interview workshop with local managers and employers. Additionally, the program’s Lunch & Learn sessions regularly bring various professionals to campus to talk about the skills required for their particular information agency.

Online Instruction The program is primarily an online program. Online courses do not have any required campus visits. According to Distance Learning Programs at UK, those students who opt for solely online instruction will be charged the much lower resident (as opposed to non-resident) tuition rate.

For Individual Needs Degree requirements allow a student considerable freedom to design her/his program to suit individual needs and interests. The curriculum is sufficiently varied to permit opportunities to build both breadth and depth into the course of study. A faculty advisor who provides guidance and counsel assists the student in designing a course plan suited to his or her interests. Advisor assignment is based, when possible, on student interests and preferences.

Development Opportunities Students in the Library and Information Science program have excellent development opportunities – including the alternative spring break programs in conjunction with the Library of Congress and the National Library of Medicine. Students can also elect to earn up to 6 credit hours through participation in the program’s study abroad course, which is offered during the

Alternative  Spring  Break  Participants  

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Emily  Aldridge  and  Julie  VanHoose

summer every other year. The program’s Lunch & Learn series regularly brings various professionals from a wide variety of libraries and information agencies to campus to talk to students. The LIS 672 Practicum course allows students the opportunity to gain real world experience while also earning course credit.

Alumni There are over 4500 graduates of the program, many of whom hold major positions in libraries and other information agencies throughout the United States. The program publishes an electronic newsletter semiannually for alumni and other interested parties to maintain communication between the program and its graduates. The program also stays in touch with its graduates through a program listserv, Twitter, and Facebook.

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Facilities School administrative and faculty offices, five smart classrooms, and The McConnell Center for the Study of Youth Literature are located on the third floor of the Lucille Little Fine Arts Library (LCLI).

The McConnell Center for the Study of Children’s Literature is a joint project of the School and the Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives. It provides an examination and research collection of recent children’s and young adult literature, reference materials, criticism, and reviews; and it serves as a resource in book selection for university students, authors, and others in developing an appreciation and understanding of the creation, use, teaching, and critique of children’s literature.

The University library system, including the flagship William T. Young library, constitutes a major laboratory for the program’s students. University libraries are supplemented by other libraries in the area, including Transylvania University Library, Lexington Public Library, Lexington Theological Seminary Library, the Veteran’s Administration Medical Center Library, the State Department for Libraries and Archives in Frankfort, along with academic and public libraries in nearby communities. They provide opportunities for practicum placements and for part-time employment.

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Master’s Program Stated broadly, the educational goal of the program is to prepare students for careers as information professionals in all types of information agencies including libraries. All students enrolled in the master’s program must include the four required core courses and two qualifying technology courses in their program of study. School Media students must follow the guidelines for their specific course of study. Non school media students must also complete two courses to fulfill the foundational requirement. Beyond these courses, a student, with the assistance of her/his advisor, can select electives to develop a program of study that is tailored to his/her professional interests and career goals.

General Program Requirements In addition to the specific degree requirements below, students must complete a minimum of 18 hours of courses numbered 600 or above.

Once students are officially enrolled in classes, they are required to complete and submit confirmation for the following eT&D trainings from UK HR for Microsoft Office Suite during their first two semesters: Word—beginning and advanced, Excel—beginning and advanced, PowerPoint—beginning and advanced, and Access—beginning. These trainings are available free of charge.

Degree Requirements To successfully complete the MSLS program, a student must complete four required core courses, two qualifying technology courses, and two qualifying foundational courses. School Media students will follow a plan based on their rank/teaching status.

The required core courses are LIS 600 Information in Society; LIS 601 Information Seeking, Retrieval and Services; LIS 602 Information Representation and Access; and LIS 603 Management in Library and Information Science. Qualifying technology courses are LIS 636 Foundations of Information Technology, LIS 637 Information Technology, LIS 638 Internet Technologies and Information Services, LIS 668 Information Systems Design, and LIS 690 (any special topic IT course approved by the student’s adviser). Qualifying foundational courses are LIS 630 Online Information Retrieval, LIS 621 Introduction to Information Services, and LIS 672 Practicum. Beginning fall 2011, students must complete a program portfolio to satisfy University requirements.

The Master's in Science in Library Science (MSLS) requires successful completion of 36 hours (12 hours of electives along with the required courses described previously) and a program portfolio. With his/her faculty advisor's prior approval, a student may take as many as 6 elective hours in a cognate area of study.

In the design of the core courses, emphasis has been given to both the conceptual foundations of library and information science and to the acquisition of professional knowledge and skills that will provide students with a common foundation upon which to build their personalized programs of study. Other courses in the curriculum assume, and build upon, the foundation that is established by the four required core courses. For this reason, students are urged and expected to take the required core courses in their first 18 hours.

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Dean  Birdwhistell

School Media Librarianship Students who possess a valid teaching license can also pursue school library certification while working on their master's in library and information science. With careful course selection, certification can be completed in the 36 hours required for the master's degree.

Students from outside Kentucky should apply for a Kentucky teaching certificate (or letter of eligibility to teach) when they are admitted to the program. This is required prior to starting the school library practicum. Once the program is completed, students will submit their Kentucky endorsement to their home state for local certification.

Cognate Courses After admission into the program and with prior approval of the advisor, students may take as many as 6 credit hours of graduate courses outside the program in library and information science and have the courses apply to degree requirements. Used wisely, the cognate course option should enhance a student’s program of study. The cognate course option is neither a vehicle to permit a student to receive credit toward master’s program requirements for courses taken prior to enrolling in the master’s program nor a means to permit a student to take courses at another institution solely for reasons of convenience.

Doctoral Study Opportunities Opportunities exist for doctoral study at UK College of Communications and Information following the MSLS degree program. The College of Communications and Information offers a

PhD program in Communication, in which students enrolled in the School may take courses while completing the MSLS degree. Admission to the PhD program is a separate process, normally initiated after completing at least 12 hours in the master’s program. Once admitted to PhD studies, students may undertake interdisciplinary studies related to information transfer, drawing on the faculties and other resources of Library and Information Science, Communication, and Journalism and Telecommunications.

While in the PhD program, students with an “Information Studies focus” may continue to work with School of Library and Information Science faculty and research projects, along with those in other units of the College. Like many doctoral programs, it often takes four or five years to complete the degree and dissertation.

Program Portfolio Candidates for the MSLS must produce a satisfactory program portfolio, which is used to evaluate the candidate’s ability to discuss significant aspects of library and information science in an integrated and coherent manner. A student who has an I grade or who is on academic probation is not permitted to submit a portfolio. A final evaluation is required of all master's students at the University of Kentucky. Ultimately, it is the student’s responsibility to see that all program and Graduate School requirements are met prior to submitting a program portfolio.

Transfer Of Credits Under certain circumstances and with the approval of the student’s advisor and of the School’s Director of Graduate Studies, transfer credit may be given for courses taken elsewhere and applied to the 36-credit hour requirement of the master’s program. Also, any of the

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program’s courses taken while in post-baccalaureate status must be treated as transfer credit in order to be applied to degree requirements. The limit on transfer credit is 9 hours. Thirty of the 36 semester hours required for the master’s degree must be in library and information science. Graduate credits that may be considered for transfer include any combination of the following, up to a maximum of 9 credit hours:

• courses in the MSLS program taken while in post-baccalaureate status

• courses in library and information science taken at another ALA accredited program

• courses with the prior approval of the advisor taken as part of the MSLS program

Graduate transfer credit is not automatic, but is granted only when educational justification exists. Graduate transfer credit must meet the conditions specified above, have been earned while the student was enrolled in an accredited graduate school, and must have been graded B or better. No credit may be given for graduate work completed more than six years prior to the end of the semester in which the student completes the program of the School. Moreover, The Graduate School Bulletin states: “In no case will independent work, research, thesis or dissertation credit completed as part of the degree requirements for one program be considered to satisfy requirements of a subsequent master’s or specialist program.”

Requests for graduate transfer credit are made by petition on the part of the student, after s/he has been admitted and has begun taking classes in the School of Library and Information Science. If the student’s faculty advisor and the School’s Director of Graduate Studies believe that transfer credit is appropriate, recommendation is made to the Graduate School that it be awarded. However, the final decision about awarding transfer credit rests with the Graduate School.

Required GPA; C Grades While enrolled in the program, students must adhere to rules and regulations from both the School of Library & Information Science and the University Graduate School. A grade point average of 3.00 (B) must be maintained. Failure to do so results in academic probation and will result in dismissal, if, in the prescribed time, the grade point average is not raised to 3.00 or higher. A student who earns a third C (or lower) grade is dismissed from the program, even though the student may have earned the required minimum 3.00 grade point average. Students who are on probation are not eligible to submit the program portfolio or to graduate.

I (Incomplete) Grades For graduate students, any I (incomplete) grade must be replaced by a regular final letter grade within 12 months of the end of the semester or term in which the I grade was assigned, or prior to the student’s graduation, whichever occurs first. If at that time the I grade has not been changed to some other regular final letter grade, it will be changed to a grade of E.

 

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Application The program receives more applications than it can accept. Prospective students should apply early, as they will be evaluated once their application is complete. In order to apply to the master’s program, students must submit their application to the Graduate School through the ApplyYourself system.

Application Items Application to the Library and Information Science program requires the application, personal statement, transcripts, and three recommendations, all of which must be received by the application deadline. All materials should be submitted electronically through the Graduate School’s ApplyYourself system.

An application is not acted upon until it is complete, including transcripts and Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores. All applicants except those with an earned doctorate must submit GRE scores. For this purpose the UK Graduate School does not consider a JD an earned doctorate. We do not accept other exams in place of GRE scores. If admitted, a student must have the registrar at each college or university attended send 1 official transcript to The Graduate School, University of Kentucky, 106 Gillis Building, Lexington, KY 40506-0033. Admitted students must also ensure that the Graduate School receives official GRE test scores from ETS.

Notification When an application is completed, the School of Library and Information Science is asked to recommend that the applicant be

admitted or denied admission. If admission is recommended, the Graduate School notifies the applicant. If admission is not recommended, the School notifies the applicant, who is told why admission was not recommended. If admission is recommended, the Graduate School contacts the applicant with further information regarding setting up UK computing accounts, course registration, etc.

Application Deadlines Deadlines for domestic applications are July 15 for fall, November 15 for spring, and March 15 for summer. All supporting materials (including transcripts and GRE scores) must be received by the deadline and not merely postmarked. For fall admission the application deadline is January 15 in order to be considered for a Graduate School Multi-Year Fellowship and March 1 in order to be considered for a Graduate Assistantship or Internship.

International Applicants Applicants for whom English is not the native language must meet the Graduate School's required scores for the TOEFL exam. The Graduate School sets earlier deadlines for international applicants. The dates and other useful information are available at http://www.research.uky.edu/gs/ProspectiveStudents/Admission.html.

International applicants are responsible for ensuring that they can and do fulfill all requirements of their visas. Due to the University of Kentucky’s residency regulations governing students with F-1 visas, international students may find this program difficult to complete

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given that most of the courses are offered only in the online format. Completion of the program may be possible, but students’ choice of courses will be limited and the availability of the program’s face-to-face courses is not guaranteed.

Admission High enrollment and a continuing large number of applications make it impossible for the program to admit all who meet the admission criteria. The School’s budget and number of faculty limit enrollment. Therefore, meeting the GPA and GRE criteria (see below) does not guarantee admission. Admission decisions are competitive, based on analysis of a variety of relevant factors regarding the applicant and enrollment in the master’s program, which determines the number of applicants who can be admitted. The goal of the admission criteria is to enable the program to estimate the applicant’s potential as a graduate student and information professional.

Three primary factors are considered in deciding whether to admit an applicant to the program:

• a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution

• an undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 or higher, and a grade point average of 3.0 or higher on any prior graduate work, in both cases on a scale with A = 4.0

• Graduate Record Examination scores of 150 or higher on the verbal section (450 or higher for pre-2011 scores) and of 140 or higher on the quantitative section (400 or higher on pre-2011 scores) or a 4.0 or higher on the analytical section.

Other factors considered in the admission decision include personal references, work experience, academic background, other graduate work, progressive academic improvement, and the cultural and

geographic origin of the applicant. Program faculty expect all students to have certain computer competencies before entering the program, including using popular computer operating systems, word processing software, spreadsheet applications, and web based communications such as email, video conferencing, and instant messaging software.

Conditional Admission The Graduate School Bulletin states that a person who is “temporarily ineligible for regular graduate admission status may be recommended by the Director of Graduate Studies [in the program in which the person wishes to take courses] for conditional admission.” However, the School of Library and Information Science rarely recommends conditional admission, preferring to award openings to those who present a completed application and meet the admission criteria.

Requests for consideration for conditional admission must be in writing to the School’s Director of Graduate Studies. If the Admissions Committee recommends conditional admission, the conditions that must be satisfied for regular admission will be conveyed in writing to the applicant. Provisional status is limited to 12 hours.

 

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Funding Your Education Fellowships, scholarships, assistantships, and internships are available on a competitive basis.

Multi-Year fellowships require no service. Their purpose is to attract outstanding first-year graduate students, and thus they are not available to those already enrolled in the graduate program. They are open only to individuals nominated by their UK graduate programs who meet GPA and GRE requirements established by the Graduate School; they are not open to off-campus students. Because of the schedule the Graduate School sets for these awards, it is essential that an application for admission be received by January 15. The program will nominate only those who, in the program’s judgment and experience, are strong candidates.

Lyman T. Johnson Fellowships are available from the Graduate School to increase the number of underrepresented graduate students and first generation students. The fellowships match an award the student receives through the academic program.

Graduate Assistantships require the student to provide service, generally 15-20 hours per week. Most assistantships are awarded to begin the fall semester. The application deadline is March 1. The application form for a Graduate Assistantship can be found at https://ci.uky.edu/lis/content/graduate-assistanship-online-application. For information about other fellowships and scholarships, visit the Graduate School web site at http://www.research.uky.edu/gs/StudentFunding/funding.html

Scholarships from the program are also available. Scholarships include the Helen E. Fry, Vivian J. MacQuown, SLIS Alumni Endowed Fund, Hallie Day Blackburn, and Williena Burdine Broyles Memorial Scholarships. For more information on SLIS scholarships, go to https://ci.uky.edu/lis/content/funding-your-education.

The Kentucky Library Association has offered the Kentucky Library Association Scholarship for Minority Students the past several years. More information about that scholarship can be found at http://www.klaonline.org/scholarships965.cfm.

Other groups that may offer funding for library students include the American Library Association, the Medical Library Association, and the Special Libraries Association.

All applicants and students are encouraged to apply for Federal financial aid by submitting their FAFSA.

Academic Common Market The Academic Common Market enables a resident of Arkansas, Delaware, Virginia, or West Virginia to enroll in the School’s master’s program and pay in-state tuition. Information is available from:

Arkansas: Academic Common Market Coordinator Arkansas Department of Higher Education http://www.adhe.edu/divisions/academicaffairs/pages/aa_acm.aspx

Delaware: Academic Common Market Coordinator Delaware Higher Education Commission http://www.doe.k12.de.us/infosuites/Students_family/dheo/ACM/default.shtml

Virginia: Academic Common Market Coordinator Virginia State Council on Higher Education http://www.schev.edu

West Virginia: West Virginia State College and University Systems https://www.wvhepc.org/academic/ACM_Brochure.pdf

Information about the ACM is available at http://www.sreb.org/page/1304/academic_common_market.html

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