Graduate Bulletin
Document Number 3.02.03

LIBRARY MEDIA AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES

[1] Objectives

The goal of the graduate programs in library media and information technologies is to prepare individuals for professional positions in a variety of information and educational settings. These graduate programs of study, located within the Department of Teaching, Learning, and Technology, are designed for individuals who may be (1) planning careers in school library media centers at the elementary, middle, and secondary district levels and at regional educational cooperatives; (2) planning careers as associates in public, college, and special information centers; and (3) planning careers as computer technology coordinators in public schools.

To achieve this goal, the program seeks to create an environment in which students

Acquire attitudes, knowledge, and skills necessary to practice their chosen profession;
Become cognizant of the human relation attitudes, knowledge, and skills required to develop, operate, and access information and instructional systems effectively;
Develop professional competencies to higher levels of proficiency and in new areas of interest;
Are encouraged to pursue life-long learning through information and instruction-related professional organizations; and
Recognize the need to continuously evaluate and implement information and instruction-related programs in response to social, economic, and technological changes.

[2] Program Admission Requirements

To be accepted into the degree program in library media and information technologies, an individual must

Meet the general admission requirements of the university;
Provide the department with copies of transcripts of all previous academic work;
Provide Graduate Record Examination (GRE) general test scores;
Provide copies of teaching licensure (if applying for Program Option I: School Library Media);
Provide evidence to establish past or present employment in a P-12 academic setting (if applying for Program Option I: School Library Media).

Enrollment in regular courses, workshops, or special programs does not imply automatic admission to the degree program. No action will be taken relative to admission until all materials/information are received. Admission materials/information should be received by the department prior to registration for the second term of course work.

Submission of an application and its approval constitutes an agreement by the individual to accept any practicum assignments in locations where the objectives of practicum experiences can be met. Failure to accept practicum assignments relieves the department and the university of responsibility relating to the individual's practicum experience or program of study.

Transfer credit is limited to six approved semester credit hours. All transfer work must be approved by the graduate office and the LIBM Program Coordinator.

[3] Research and Culminating Experience Policies

As a culminating experience in the graduate preparatory programs, candidates must satisfactorily complete a program portfolio (Program Option I and Option II) and present satisfactory scores on the appropriate PRAXIS II examination (Program Option I - only) or on the written comprehensive examination (Program Option II – only). The program portfolio must demonstrate the candidate's ability to meet competencies as outlined by the program goals, the American Association of School Librarians (AASL), and the Association for Educational Communications and Technology (AECT). The program portfolio must reflect the candidate’s ability to assimilate competencies demonstrating growth and the ability to collect, evaluate, and analyze data and information. The PRAXIS II examination (Program Option I – only) should be taken the semester prior to the semester in which the candidate plans to graduate. The comprehensive written examination (Program Option II – only) will be scheduled during the candidate's last semester of work.

[4] Program Requirements

Two options of study are offered to candidates pursuing the Master of Science degree in Library Media and Information Technologies: School Library Media, and Public Information Agencies. Thirty-six semester hours are required for each of the two program options.

[4.1] Program Option I: School Library Media

This program option has been accredited by AASL and NCATE. The following courses are required of all students pursuing a degree program with a specialization in school library media and terminating in a recommendation for Arkansas licensure:

[4.1.1] Core Courses (20 Hours)

LIBM 6398 Research Methods, LIBM 6380 Administration of Information Programs, LIBM 6320 Introduction to Information Studies and Technology, LIBM 6360 Developing Information Collections, LIBM 6332 Organization of Information I, LIBM 6231 Technical Services, and 6330 Information Resources and Search Strategies.

[4.1.2] School Library Media Specialization Courses (15 Hours)

LIBM 6368 Technology Planning and Leadership, LIBM 6340 Design and Production of Media I, LIBM 6353 Instructional Role of the School Library Media Specialist, LIBM 6370 Integration of School Library Media Resources into the Curriculum, and LIBM 6390 Practicum.

[4.1.3] Electives (1 hour)

Candidates are also required to complete a 1 hour course elective.

Additionally, a candidate pursuing the school library media specialization must present a course in children's or adolescent literature or an equivalent (LIBM 6371).

A teaching license is required as a prerequisite to recommendation for Arkansas licensure as a school library media specialist.

Candidates wishing to expand their Arkansas licensure to P-12 Library Media Specialist are required to take an additional 6 hours of course work and split their practicum hours (60 clock hours at the elementary level and 60 clock hours at the secondary level). The following is a list of the additional course work: LIBM 6371 Developing Information Programs for Children and Youth (or an equivalent) and ASTL 6385 Curriculum Development (or an equivalent).

Candidates may also elect to work toward endorsements, or stated areas of specialization which will appear on the school library media certificate. These endorsements include the following areas: Computer Technology – Hardware (LIBM 6318 Microcomputer Networking, LIBM 6357 Diagnostic Techniques for Computer Maintenance and Repair, and MSTS 6358) and Computer Technology – Software (LIBM 6354 Multimedia, LIBM 6341 Design and Production of Media II, and LIBM 6337 Computer Graphics and Animation). An endorsement requires completion of nine semester hours.

Objectives established for Program Option I: School Library Media reflect specific outcome expectations of those students who complete the Master of Science degree in Library Media and Information Technology. At an acceptable professional level, graduates should be able to

Articulate a philosophy of library media services which reflects an integration of principles of library science, educational media, and instructional design;
Design, implement, and market for specified client populations programs of services which further the curriculum objectives of the school/district by integrating them into the total educational programming of the school/district;
Apply principles of management, including planning, to the operation of the school library media center;
Select and build a quality collection of resources and equipment that meets the educational objectives of the school/district, promotes intellectual freedom, and meets clients' needs and purposes;
Organize and maintain collections of resources and equipment for efficient use reflecting the application of the latest uses of technologies;
Provide instructional opportunities, including bibliographic instruction, for various client populations as appropriate;
Use information technologies and networks to acquire and share information and for reference and referral services;
Analyze research data and use this information to assess and solve school library media related problems;
Work with other education professionals to address instructional and curricular problems, including those involved in establishing activities that enable the student to increasingly assume responsibilities for planning, understanding, and assessing their own learning, to implement student learning activities reflecting different learning styles, and to ensure a variety of student learning environments;
Incorporate into programming the resource and service needs of all users (e.g., the culturally diverse, the exceptional populations, the disabled); and
Recognize the importance of practicing effective leadership and interpersonal relationships within the educational, local, and professional communities.

[4.2] Program Option II: Public Information Agencies

The following courses are required of all students pursuing a degree program with a specialization in public information agencies:

[4.2.1] Core Courses (20 Hours)

LIBM 6398 Research Methods, LIBM 6380 Administration of Information Programs, LIBM 6320 Introduction to Information Studies and Technology, LIBM 6360 Developing Information Collections, LIBM 6332 Organization of Information I, LIBM 6231 Technical Services, and 6330 Information Resources and Search Strategies.

[4.2.2] Public Information Agencies Specialization (5 or 6 Hours)

LIBM 6272 Public Information Services

Administrative Option – LIBM 6281 Planning Information Facilities and LIBM 6382 Seminar on Information Management

Public Service Option – LIBM 6366 Information Sources and Bibliography and LIBM 6373 Public Information Service Agencies

Media Production Option – LIBM 6340 Design and Production of Media I and LIBM 6341 Design and Production of Media II

[4.2.3] Electives (8 or 9 hours)

Candidates are required to complete from 8 to 9 hours of course electives depending upon the specialization option chosen.

Graduates earning a Master of Science degree in Library Media and Information Technologies who complete the requirements for Program Option II: Public Information Agencies will have the competencies to

Manage resources and facilities in public information agencies;
Provide information services for clients;
Develop an appropriate collection of resources for public information agencies;
Use computer technologies for information storage and retrieval; and
Work with other information professionals to address and resolve issues related to the field.

[5] Graduate Courses in Library Media and Information Technologies (LIBM)

Follow this link for LIBM course descriptions: course link.

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