DEPARTMENT OF LIBRARY SCIENCE

The Department of Library Science is charged with applying the University’s mission specifically to the field of Library and Information Science. The goals of the Department of Library Science are to: 1) prepare competent professionals for school librarianship; 2) encourage and support scholarly research and publications; 3) promote and participate in faculty growth and development; 4) offer educational services to schools, libraries, and the community; and 5) plan, implement, and evaluate the academic curriculum, teaching effectiveness, physical resources, program policies, and the learning environment.

REQUIREMENTS FOR ADMISSION

Students who wish to pursue the certification, the MLS degree or the Specialist Certification should request an application for admission to the Master of Library Science Program from the Department of Library Science, Sam Houston State University, Box 2236, Huntsville, Texas 77341, or online at https://www.shsu.edu/libraryscience. This form is in addition to the Graduate Application for Admission which must be completed and filed with the Dean, College of Education and Applied Science.

Admission is formula based and considers:

• last 60 hours GPA
• GRE scores on Verbal, Quantitative, and Writing.

CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS NOTICE

The State Board for Educator Certification may mandate changes in certification programs which may become effective for students enrolled in the University under this catalogue. Such changes may affect the graduation and certification requirements listed in this catalogue.

CERTIFICATION AS A SCHOOL LIBRARIAN

(formerly known as LRE)
This is the credential required for school librarians for employment in Texas schools including the Windham School System of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Institutional Division.

This credential may be issued to one who has a Master’s Degree, a valid Texas teacher’s certificate, two years of classroom teaching experience, 21 approved semester hours, 3 semester hours of practicum working in a library or 3 additional semester hours directly related to school librarian course work and one year of successful experience on a permit as a full-time public school librarian. A passing score on the Texas Examination of Educator Standards (TExES) is required.

Six of the seven courses necessary for the certification are LS 530, LS 532, LS 534, LS 537, LS 570, and LS 585. The final course is LS 566, Library Internship. LS 585 satisfies the state of Texas multi-ethnic course requirement. LS 560 is a Department of Library Science requirement for the certification. No course which is over six (6) years old is acceptable towards certification. Application for this certification is made to the State Board for Educator Certification at http://www.sbec.state.tx.us. Note prerequisites under individual courses.

This 36-hour degree provides for the principles and procedures common to libraries and information centers. The primary mission of the Department of Library Science is the preparation of school librarians for grades EC-12.
Required courses include: LS 530, LS 532, LS 534, LS 537, LS 560, LS 566, LS 567, LS 570, LS 585, LS 591, LS 596, 1 elective.

GRADUATE COURSES

LIBRARY SCIENCE COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

LS 530 COLLECTION DEVELOPMENT. Principles of selection of library materials and procedures involved in building collections for all types of libraries, archives, and information centers. Includes latest technological developments, research theories and site-based applications. Required for certification and MLS.

LS 532 ORGANIZATION OF COLLECTIONS I. Introduction to the principles of descriptive cataloging and classification and subject analysis using the latest editions of The Anglo-American Cataloging Rules, Dewey Decimal Classification, Subject Headings [Sears and Library of Congress], and ALA Filing Rules. Focus on broad-based use of the MARC format. Provides an overview of technical services, processing centers, bibliographic control, and commercial cataloging utilities. Required for certification and MLS.

LS 534 INFORMATION SERVICES AND RESOURCES I. Skills, techniques, and philosophy of the reference process with emphasis on the interview and strategy. Examination and discussion of basic reference tools using specific evaluative criteria. Analysis of library systems, networks, automated databases, latest trends and research in the field of reference. Covers online [commercial databases, the Internet] and laser optical disc searching techniques. Required for certification and MLS.

LS 537 SCHOOL LIBRARY ADMINISTRATION. Planning, organizing, policy making, staffing, budgeting, facilities planning, decision making and services. Study of standards, trends, services, research, and evaluation of the library will be emphasized. Required for certification and MLS.
Prerequisites: LS 530, 532, 534.

LS 560 LITERATURE FOR CHILDREN. Acquaints students with the selection, critical analysis, and historical development of literature for children. Emphasis will be placed on selecting recreational and informational materials for children reflecting our multicultural society; identifying techniques, activities, and strategies which motivate children to read and respond to literature; and developing critical abilities for evaluating literature for children. Required for certification and MLS.

LS 561 CURRENT TRENDS IN MATERIALS FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG ADULTS. Introduction to recent trends in materials for children and young adults with emphasis on multicultural understanding. Elective. Prerequisites: LS 560, 585

LS 564 INFORMATION SERVICES AND RESOURCES II. Study of reference materials and services on a specialized level. Modes of searching include online and laser optical techniques. Expertise in solving reference problems is developed through role playing, case studies, etc. Analysis of the latest trends and research in reference methods and technology (e.g., the Internet, networking). Covers grantsmanship and proposal writing as instruments in securing funding for information resources. Elective.

LS 566 LIBRARY INTERNSHIP. Supervised practice in a school library, incorporating seminars, conferences, journal, and evaluation. Required for certification and MLS. Prerequisites: LS 530, 532, 534, 537, 560, 570, 585.

LS 567 RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODOLOGY. The study of research methods, project designs, and data-gathering instruments pertinent to librarians. Research techniques are applied to library/media center-based issues. Centered around the production of a research or grant proposal. Required for MLS.

LS 568 LIBRARY SERVICES AND PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG ADULTS. Programming of children and young adult services, including promotional activities, storytelling, book talks, reading guidance, library skills and instruction, innovative projects and informal library use. Study of trends and evaluation of research in the area. Elective. Prerequisite: LS 560.

LS 570 INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGN AND LIBRARY MEDIA PRODUCTION. Design and development of curriculum which utilizes the systematic approach to instruction. Emphasis on explicitly stated objectives, appropriate teaching strategies, and production of materials to facilitate achievement of goals using the latest in instructional technologies, including multimedia. Required for certification and MLS.

LS 575 DIRECTED INDIVIDUAL STUDY IN LIBRARY SCIENCE. Independent research based on submitted research proposal. Elective. Prerequisite: Requires approval of Department Chair.

LS 580 MASTER’S SEMINAR. In-depth study of specialized subjects. May be repeated as topics vary. Examples of topics: Integrated On-line Library Systems; Nonfiction Literature for Children and Young Adults; Selecting and Evaluating Multicultural Materials for Youth; Teacher/Librarian Cooperation Emphasizing Creative Thinking; Update for School Librarians; and Elective. Prerequisites: Appropriate required courses and approval of the Department Chair.

LS 585 LITERATURE FOR YOUNG ADULTS. Acquaints students with the selection, critical analysis and historical developments for young adults. Emphasis will be placed on selecting recreational and informational materials for young adults reflecting our multicultural society; identifying techniques, activities and strategies which motivate young adults to read and respond to literature; and developing critical abilities for evaluating literature for young adults. Required for certification and MLS.

LS 591 THE INTERNET FOR SCHOOL LIBRARIANS. An introduction to the Internet and telecommunications for school librarians. Some of the topics to be covered include evaluation of Internet resources, various search tools, and a variety of communication tools. In addition ethical issues related to responsible use information technology and a wide variety of curriculum connections will be explored. Required for certification and MLS. Prerequisite LS 570.

LS 593 THE HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF LITERATURE FOR CHILDREN. Examination of the historical development of a separate literature for children. Traces the history from the earliest books for children to current trends and issues in the field. Elective. Prerequisite: LS 560.

LS 596 COMPUTER SCIENCE APPLICATIONS TO LIBRARIANSHIP. History and current status of automated library services. Examination of the international standards, hardware, and software commercially available to support cataloging, circulation, on-line catalogs, reference services, and administrative tasks. Required for MLS. Prerequisites: LS 530, 532, 534, 570.