"Whether termed 'librarians' or 'information professionals', special librarians ... have to be aware of management interests and to respond to these by providing a customized, tailor-made service; special librarians must be flexible, resourceful and knowledgeable about information resources. They must be both generalist and specialist in many fields; they must be pragmatic, and they must have the imagination to seek information from unlikely sources." -- Peter Drucker

Note: If you are registered for this course, please go to the Student Information Form, fill it out and submit it. This will allow us to make a class list that will be useful to you and your classmates.

People who perform information services in organizations have various titles. Two of the most traditional are special librarian and information resources manager; people with these titles usually have responsibility for a collection and a service facility. Other titles include market researcher, competitive intelligence specialist, information analyst, knowledge manager or simply research associate; people with these titles gather and analyze external information, compare it to internal information and compile summary reports. People working in knowledge management often help formalize communities of practice and create databases for internal "tacit" knowledge of work practices. Still other information people work independently and form their own businesses. Two typical titles for the independent folks are information broker and information consultant.

Although the titles differ and the organizational context affects the nature of services delivered, a common knowledge base and theoretical framework undergirds all these positions. In addition, they share a need for a common set of professional and personal competencies. The knowledge base and theoretical framework for the class comes from the knowledge management literature. Relevant applications are drawn from the library/information science (LIS) literature in particular from the Special Libraries Association (SLA), the professional society for many information professionals. Within the course, professional and personal competencies promulgated by SLA (see http://www.sla.org/content/learn/comp2003/index.cfm.

"The core of knowledge management is the organization of processes in which new knowledge is developed, knowledge is distributed to those who need it knowledge is made accessible for current and future use and use by the whole organization and knowledge areas are combined."

The goal of the instructors is that each student learn:

To define potential career paths in knowledge management To investigate current trends in knowledge management and their manifestations in business and industry To design appropriate information services with accompanying performance measures for a sected organizational environment To examine and practice management competencies in the framework of knowledge organizations To achieve self-reliance and self-confidence in presenting the need for information services to upper level management and other members of the organization To develop strategies for continual development of leadership skills

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"The ultimate corporate resource has become information -- the ultimate competitive advantage is the ability to use it -- the sum of the two is knowledge management." -- Nigel Oxbow

Two textbooks have been selected for the class:

Bryson, Jo. MANAGING INFORMATION SERVICES; A Transformational Approach. 2nd ed. Burlington, VT: Ashgate, 2006. ISBN 0-7546-4634-3 (pbk).

Choo, Chun Wei. THE KNOWING ORGANIZATION; How Organizations Use Information to Construct Meaning, Create Knowledge, and Make Decisions. 2nd ed. New York: Oxford, 2006. ISBN 10: 0-19-517678-2 (pbk).

These two texts provide complementary approachs. The Choo book will provide a deep understanding of organizations as sense-making, knowledge creating, and decision-making systems. Its focus on information as fundamental to all the functions or the organization provides the framework for the practice of knowledge management and the provision of information services. The Bryson text emphasizes the knowledge, skills and attitudes (KSAs) that information professionals need. It reviews basic management theory and presents an activist philosophy consistent with that of the instructors's views.

In addition, you will want to explore other readings on relevant topics that are applicable to your chosen career path. To this end, you are invited to share one substantive reading for each class. The reading can come from the professional or business literature; it can be an article in a news magazine or newspaper, a chapter from a book (there are several on reserve for the class), a website or blog that you find helpful. The outside readings are to be posted to the course Blackboard site so all members of the class can access them. Your skill in concisely summarizing the key points of the reading will be good practice.

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The course will be conducted by lecture, classroom discussion and student presentation. Readings, visits, and invited speakers will extend understanding of possible career options and the dynamics of particular settings and functional activities. You will want to participate actively and regularly in the class through postings to Blackboard discussion forum and attendance. Active involvement is fundamental to learning. Providing encouragement to fellow classmates through your comments, questions, and suggestions will help to create an effective and enjoyable learning environment and will make you a good citizen of the class.

Six assignments are planned for you to develop appropriate knowledge, skills, and attitudes. You may propose an alternative assignment for any of the assignments if you have particular needs and interests; the chances are high that we can work out an accommodation.

The assignments will be described in detail and posted to the Blackboard site with grading rubrics.

Below are the grading weights for the assignments and your class participation:

Assignments Class Participation Assignment 1: Career Journal, Chapter One Assignment 2: Profile of an Industry Assignment 3: Environmental Analysis of an Organization Assignment 4: Designing Services Offerings with Performance Measures Assignment 5: Developing a Marketing Plan Assignment 6: Issue Paper on Your Choice of Topic

15% 15% 15% 15% 15% 15% 10%

The first and last assignments are individual. The second assignment is to be done as a team. Assignments 3, 4, and 5 may be done either individually as as a team. If the latter, all members of the team will receive the same grade unless thee is overwhelming evidence why it should be otherwise.

Our expectation is that all of you will do well and pass the course with a solid P; some of you will do the outstanding work that will merit an H.

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Class Policies

"The people who get on in the world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances they want, and, if they can't find them, make them." -- George Bernard Shaw

With the exception of the individual assignments, collaboration with your classmates is highly desirable and encouraged. Sharing your work and giving and receiving assistance from others in the class is valuable. Our major interest is in your learning which will best proceed as we share questions, answers, and experiences.

We will work from a schedule that is available for you on Blackboard. It shows the topics, readings, assignments and class activities. We may deviate from the schedule as opportunity arises but, if so, we will make sure you will have sufficient notice of the change. Please plan to set aside each week about three-four hours for assigned reading, about three-four hours in planning and writing your assignments, and three hours for class time.

Class policies that you should be aware of:

• All assignment due dates are posted in advance. Reading assignments should be done before each week's live session (except for the first session). Any major changes in the schedule will be announced in class at least a week ahead of time and also posted on the "Announcements" bulletin board in Blackboard.

• Your assignments may be private if you wish but we would prefer that you post them on the designated bulletin board so that your colleagues can read them and respond with comments and/or suggestions for improvement. In any event, each assignment carries a presentation requirement to give you confidence and skill in orally presenting information.

• Active participation in class is expected. Please let one of the instructors know, in advance if possible, if you have to be absent.

• It is our intention to make the class interesting and engaging for all of you.

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Revised 1/3/2008.