Library & Information Science Bridge Strategic Plan 2023-2026

1.Provide Transformative Learning for Information Professionals who will Lead the Field

Alignment with former UNCG and SOE Plans

  • UNCG: Student Transformation: Vibrant Communities & Global Connections
  • SOE: 1 ,2 & 5 

1.1Improve learning, assessment, and student experience in the capstone

1.1.1Increase advisor training and interaction with students

1.1.2Increase student support for the capstone across their matriculation

1.1.3Ensure the PLOs are used by 100% of our students to develop goals for the field experience

1.1.4Ensure course SLOs are explicitly mapped to PLOs for every course

1.1.5Ensure we are using data from the field experience and portfolio to improve the curriculum

1.2Improve curriculum to better serve the needs of public libraries

1.2.1Survey public library employers to assess needs

1.2.2Survey alumni in working in public libraries to assess what can be improved in their preparation

1.2.3Create a concentration that reflects those needs

1.2.4Expand on management and soft skills (interpersonal, emotional intelligence, conflict management, mental health issues)

1.2.5Create a post-bac certificate to support staff working in public libraries without the MLIS

2.Lead Innovation and Discovery in the Library & Information Science field

Alignment with former UNCG and SOE Plans

  • UNCG: Knowledge Transfer: Vibrant Communities & Global Connections
  • SOE: 3 & 4

2.1Increase research on innovative pedagogy

2.1.1Explore gamification for learning

2.1.2Explore greater integration of digital technologies and making on learning

2.1.3Explore the impact of field-integrated activities on learning

2.2Increase support for areas of research that connect to campus priorities and to the needs of the field

2.2.1Make connections to AI research through increased faculty expertise

2.2.2Make connections to eSports and Gaming

2.2.3Create connections to sports and health informatics

3.Promote Equal Access to learning

Alignment with former UNCG and SOE Plans

  • UNCG: Student and Knowledge Transfer; Student Transformation: Vibrant Communities & Global Connections
  • SOE 2 & 5

3.1Continue to strengthen faculty and staff competence

3.1.1Integrate equal access, including accessibility, across all forms of faculty assessment (annual reports and reviews and peer review of teaching)

3.1.2Engage in accessibility audits and training for online course content

3.2Make program goals, strategies, and actions related to equal access more coherent and transparent to students and other stakeholders

3.2.1Include updates in public meetings such as Cora Paul and Town Halls

3.2.1.1Produce written forms of communicating these activities to students and other stakeholders

4.Engage Community to Strengthen our Program

Alignment with former UNCG and SOE Plans

  • UNCG: Regional Transformation: Vibrant Communities
  • SOE 3& 5

4.1Increase experiential learning across the curriculum

4.1.1Expand networks for field placement, practica, and student research partnerships

4.1.2Increase field-based projects across the curriculum through partnerships (such as the Student Opportunity Center)

4.2Increase support for student participation in professional organizations

4.2.1Work with development to increase discretionary funds that might be used for this purpose

4.2.2Develop a scalable process for students to apply and pay for conference support.

4.3Increase pre- and post-graduation placement support and data for focused populations

4.3.1Leverage and increase collaborations with existing placement support to improve support and better track data (i.e. GLAM; alumni office, ALA)

4.3.2Focus on sources for data on alumni experiences, particularly for those employed in public librarianship

4.3.3Make improvements to job boards usability and increase promotion of that resource

4.3.4Maintain high response rate to LJ survey and strategically examine data to identify trends for improvement