INLS843 | seminar in public libraries
According to the SILS descriptiopn, this seminar covers ...
Selected topics in public library services, systems, networks, and their management. Current issues are emphasized, along with the interests of the participants.
This will be less a "how-to" seminar and more a "why" seminar. There are no pat answers, but there are topics that deserve wide-ranging exploration.
We will spend most of our time discussing topics related to the subject. Our first few weeks will be spent thinking about why the public library exists, what its milieu is, and how the librarianship profession has related to it. Our goal will be to develop a nuanced understanding of the public library as an institution, a big picture appreciation of the concept, which will lead into a more fine-grained introduction to issues of concern to public libraries today.
The remaining seminars will be devoted to topics of your choosing. Each of you will determine a topic relating to public libraries that you are interested in and wish to explore in a seminar setting. You will select the readings and plan to lead the discussion. If individuals share a session, each person will be expected to lead a part of the shared seminar. If more than one of you wants to work together in a team, the time the team will lead a seminar will expand accordingly.
Depending on the schedule, we may have some guest speakers join us. But we may also use our Fridays for road trips to local public libraries, to discuss the reality of the setting with those working there. Plan your Fridays accordingly.
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