The Master of Library and Information Science (M.L.I.S.) emphasizes the rapidly changing library and information field. The degree requires 36 semester hours and is accredited by the American Library Association.
Below, you will find deeper information regarding the M.L.I.S. program, including ways to customize the degree, the Capstone, and program learning outcomes.
Customizing the M.L.I.S. Degree
Professionals in the field of Library and Information Science work in a variety of contexts require diverse knowledge and skills. As a student in the M.L.I.S. program, you have the opportunity to focus on developing your skill set in specific areas. Below are some suggested courses to help students plan out a particular destination in their studies. None of these courses are required, but they can help students who wish to refine their academic experience within a particular area.
- LIS 656 The Academic Library
- LIS 665 Information Literacy
- LIS 672 Instructional Design
- LIS 635 Introduction to Technology
- LIS 630 Computer-Related Tech for Info Management
- LIS 631 Emerging Technological Trends in Information Access
- LIS 636 Website Production and Usability for Librarians
- LIS 661 Library and Information Science Research
- LIS 662 Information Services to Diverse Client Groups
- LIS 667 Information Services for Adults
- LIS 610 Collection Management
- LIS 639 History of Information Technologies
- LIS 657 The Special Library
- LIS 658 Archival Management
- LIS 681 Rare Books, Manuscripts, and Special Collections
- LIS 683 Archival Preservation, Curation and Access
- LIS 641 Cataloging and Classification
- LIS 643 Metadata
- LIS 617 Materials for Children
- LIS 618 Materials for Adolescents
- LIS 619 Storytelling
- LIS 635 Introduction to Technology Resources
- LIS 625 Electronic Resources for Youth
- LIS 663 Library Services for Young People
- LIS 664 Reading and Literacy in the Library
- LIS 674 Seminar: Issues of the Virtual Community
- LIS 634 Libraries and MakerSpaces
- LIS 631 Emerging Technologies
- LIS 644 Digital Libraries
- LIS 643 Metadata
- LIS 641 Cataloging and Classification
- LIS 642 Seminar in Indexing and Abstracting
- LIS 643 Metadata
- LIS 644 Digital Libraries
Click here to access this link from the State Library
Required by State Library Certification
- LIS 610 Collection Management
- OR LIS 617 Materials for Children & LIS 618 Materials for Adolescents
Other good electives courses for public library service include:
- LIS 655 Public Libraries
- LIS 631 Emerging Technological Trends in Information Access
- LIS 635 Introduction to Technology Resources
- LIS 636 Website Production
- LIS 661 Library and Information Science Research
- LIS 662 Information Services to Diverse Client Groups
- LIS 663 Library Services for Young People
- LIS 665 Information Literacy
- LIS 667 Information Services for Adults
- LIS 668 Community Informatics
- LIS 672 Instructional Design
** You can take either LIS 610 or LIS 617 with LIS 618
A combination of collections and resources**
- LIS 623 Principles of Database Information Retrieval
- LIS 628 Science and Technology Information Sources
- LIS 674 Seminar: Issues in the Virtual Community
- LIS 682 Seminar: Advanced Information Sources and Services
Required by DPI
- LIS 617 Materials for Children
- LIS 618 Materials for Adolescents
- LIS 635 Introduction to Technology Resources
- LIS 653 The School Library
- LIS 654 School Library Media Specialist and the Curriculum
- LIS 693 Capstone Practicum
Recommended Electives
- LIS 619 Storytelling
- LIS 625 Electronic Resources for Youth
- LIS 663 Library Services for Young People
- LIS 664 Reading and Literacy in the Library
- LIS 674 Seminar: Issues of the Virtual Community
- LIS 634 Libraries and MakerSpaces
- LIS 688 Seminar: Legal Ethical Issues in School LIbraries
The Capstone at UNCG
The Capstone is a reflective practice in which you will implement what you learned during your M.L.I.S. studies. Rather than restating what you’ve already learned, you will apply what you’ve learned to new situations and analyze where you are (what you know now!) as you finish the degree. This will require that you examine your soft skills (interpersonal relationships, public speaking, organization, ability to make mistakes and move on, etc,) as well as the knowledge you accrued during the program. You will report your Capstone experience and relate it to the departmental PLOs in your Capstone Portfolio.
- All students take the Capstone during their last semester in the M.L.I.S. program which includes some form of field experience.
- Already working in a library and don’t have time to go someplace else for a field experience? You also have the option of completing a project.
- Plan ahead. Customize your program around the career(s) you are most interested in, centering around your critical program learning outcomes. Narrow down your preferences as you gain more knowledge and skills in the program. BUT keep in mind that it is okay to change your mind about what you’re interested in (at least until you get to planning your Capstone experience).
- Customize your Capstone experience around your career goal(s). Design an experience that prepares you for the career you want.
- Your Capstone isn’t just a field experience. You will also complete a portfolio, showing what you know as you prepare to graduate with your MLIS and how you have met the LIS Department’s PLOs.
- As you go through the M.L.I.S., make sure you save everything! You will not need all of it to complete your capstone, but you won’t know what you will need until the end.
- Your Capstone should serve as real-world experience. You should be working on projects, tasks, jobs, etc. that use the skills you’ve learned during your M.L.I.S. studies. While “small” tasks like shelving books are valuable and are fine as a small portion of your work, they should not constitute the majority of your work during the Capstone.
The Capstone Practicum Experience should provide school library students with a professional-level work experience. This is the opportunity for each student to apply their learning throughout the program and put it into practice in a working school library. This will require sustained professional interaction with a licensed school librarian or school administrator as a supervisor.
- If you are not currently hired as a school librarian, the supervisor must be a licensed school library media coordinator with three (3) or more years of experience.
- If you are hired in a school as a school librarian, the school administrator completing your final evaluation can be your supervisor.
The supervisor will collaborate with you throughout the semester to complete a needs assessment of the current school library program, plan and implement objectives throughout the semester, and fill out an evaluation for you at the end of the semester.
You must complete 120 contact hours during your practicum experience. This usually means you will need to be onsite working for 120 hours over the course of your practicum semester. You and your site supervisor will determine what will count toward your 120 hours.
Contact Tammy Gruer gruert@uncg.edu for any questions or concerns regarding school library licensure or practicum placement.
Schedule
- All students take LIS 693 the Capstone during their last semester in the M.L.I.S. program.
- When you enter the program: Talk with your advisor about the licensure requirements for school librarianship and review your working plan of study. Due to the requirements there is very little room for electives, so plan ahead.
- Make sure to upload your assignments to your Hallmark Planning Guide (found on your working plan of study) at the end of each semester.
- One semester before your final semester:
- Talk to your advisor to access the Final Semester Checklist and complete each step prior to beginning your practicum.
- Register for the Capstone Practicum by filling out this Google form. This form will ask about school libraries or school districts and levels you would like to work in. If you have a school library program you are interested in working in please list it here.
- Complete your Background Check (This is a requirement by the University. Even if you are hired by the school district you will be in during LIS 693, it is required. Cost $28 )
- If you have any questions about your placement or requirements contact Tammy S. Gruer gruert@uncg.edu
Assignments
- Evidence Based Goal Project- Determined by needs assessment
- Collaborative Teaching Lesson (Must include Lesson Plan, Recording, and Reflection)
- Hallmark Project- Students will compile an electronic portfolio to document proficiency with the AASL Standards for the Initial Preparation of School Librarians.
- Professional Development Plan (Must include Lesson Plan, Reflection)
Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs)
The following outcomes are undergirded by the application of ethics, the use of technology, and the value of diversity.
- Connect people to information and information technology, particularly to promote a just and equitable society [Information Organization, Access and Retrieval] **
- Assess and respond to the needs of diverse communities [Planning, Outreach & Assessment]
- Analyze problems and propose solutions through the application of evidence. [Evidence-based Practice]
- Utilize instructional strategies and communication in both formal and informal interactions to increase information competence [Instructional Communication and Methods]
- Advocate for public policies, laws, organizations, and resources that promote a just information society [Advocacy & Public Policy]
- Embrace change to lead organizational innovation. [Leadership, Management, Innovation, Professional Development/Lifelong Learning
- Communicate and collaborate with colleagues and communities [Written & Oral Communication, Team Work, Community Engagement]
**Broad categories in bold are presented here only to provide a helpful context for the outcomes as they relate to the planning documents and to the previous PLOs.
- Program Forms
- To browse available Practicum opportunities, look at the ILRS Job Board.
- Grad School Forms
- Independent Study Forms
- Program Forms
- Grad School Forms
- Independent Study Forms
SOE SCHOLARSHIPS & FUNDING
A variety of financial aid is available to our students, including scholarships based on academic merit and financial need. We invite you to explore the many scholarship and funding opportunities offered in the School of Education.
DEPARTMENT OF Information, Library, and Research Sciences (ILRS)
Location:
School of Education Building, Room 446
Mailing Address:
PO Box 26170
Greensboro, NC 27402