Seminar in Special Libraries
Cheryl Dee, Ph.D. LIS6472 cdee@cas.usf.edu Office: CIS 2023
Course Description: The seminar introduces the major types of special libraries, their purposes and functions, principles of practical management techniques, innovative marketing and public relations, professional networking and aspects of collections and services. Class will meet at special libraries in Tampa and surrounding communities and will investigative and compare the library’s goals and objectives with those of the parent organization. Corporate intelligence will provide background material on the parent organizations prior to the site visits. Semester projects offer a variety of opportunities to explore special libraries. Each student will have a special library mentor matched to the students’ interests to provide personal insights into special librarianship.
Course Objectives: Upon completion of the course the student will have the following skills.
Understand and appreciate special libraries from close personal observation of a variety of different types of local special libraries through site visits, guest lecturers and mentors.
Be able to apply dynamic principles of management in the special library environment including the importance of the service component.
Know the placement of the special library within the parent organization and understand its mission, governance, communication patterns, role, and scope.
Have an understanding of the importance of marketing and the development of programs to market the services of the special library.
Perform online database searches for corporate intelligence.
Know the professional organizations in the special library field and begin active participation and networking.
Class participation and Discussion: Students are expected to attend all scheduled classes whether held at SLIS or at local libraries. Classes held at SLIS involve discussions led by the instructor and guest speakers. Students are expected to be knowledgeable about the topic being discussed based on readings and are expected to participate in discussion. Participation grade is based on the students’ attendance at SLIS classes, special library class meetings and class discussion at either site reflecting their knowledge of the assigned readings and research.
Site Visits: Classes held at special library sites include tours, meeting special librarians, and recording information about the special libraries. Students will research the special library’s parent company and have a clear understanding of the company prior to the tour of the special library. Students will keep a journal of the new knowledge obtained from special librarians for use in a paper written about special libraries. Students are expected to act professionally and dress respectfully for the library visits.
Tampa Tribune (local TV personalities often around)
St. Petersburg Times
Stetson Law School (whole Stetson professional staff participates)
Shimberg Health Science Center Library
H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center
Mote Marine Library (Sarasota) (all day trip to attend Mote and Ringling)
Ringling Museum of Art Library (Sarasota)
CAE (makes helicopter guidance equipment – high bay tour usually included)
USF Tampa Library Special Collections
Disney Library (Orlando)
Mentor Project: Each student will have a mentor. The student will interview the mentor in person, by telephone or by email. Suggestions for the interview will be given to the students, if requested. Additional meetings with the mentors will be at the discretion of the mentor and the student.
Semester Project: No examinations will be given. The semester project will be an in-depth project on marketing a specific special library. The purpose is to enable students to focus on a type of library or career path.
No Textbook is required:
Mount, Ellis and Renee Massoud. Special Libraries and Information Centers. 4th ed. SLA Publishing, 1999 will be on One Day Reserve at the USF Tampa Library. Excellent textbook and strongly recommended that you read it. It is not required because of its 1999 date but most of the information is not out-dated.
Numeric average Final grade
100 and above A
90-93 A-
86-89 B+
83-86 B
80-82 B-
76-79 C+
Attendance Policy
Students have the responsibility of observing the class schedule and keeping up with all readings, lectures, assignments and discussions.
Incomplete Grade Policy
For this course, a final grade of incomplete (I) will be awarded only if no more than 20% of the student's work is incomplete, and only if the student is otherwise earning a passing grade. If more than 20% remains to be completed, an F will be given and this grade can be changed when work is complete.
Copyright
Students are not permitted to use the contents of this course for any purpose than for this class. Tapes or notes from class may be shared between student colleagues in the class but may not be sold or shared beyond the class without the professor’s permission.
Religious Preference Absence Policy
Students who anticipate the necessity of being absent from class due to the observation of a major religious observance please provide notice of the date(s) by the second class meeting.
Disability
This class meets at a variety of locations in Central Florida and students will need transportation to the class sites. Class attendance is required at all class site locations. Since some sites are beyond the Tampa Bay area, distance transportation will be necessary.
Any student with a disability is encouraged to meet with me privately during the first week of class to discuss disability accommodations other than transportation. Students may personally contact the hosts at the class sites to discuss accommodations disabilities. Each student must bring a current Memorandum of Accommodations from the Office of Student Disability Services that is prerequisite for receiving classroom accommodations.