Library and Information Science (LIS) Minor (21 credit hours)

All classes available online.

Core Curriculum (15 credit hours) required

• LIS 1021 Information Literacy (1)
• LIS 2012 Foundations of Library & Information Science (2)
• LIS 3013 Library Public Services (3)
• LIS 3033 Technology in Library & Information Science (3)
• LIS 4013 Reference in the Digital Age (3)
• LIS 4023 Organization of Knowledge (3)

Elective Courses (6 credit hours)

• LIS 4123 Library Management & Leadership (3)
  OR
• LIS 4703 Library & Information Science Internship (3)
• LIS 4143 Collection Development (3)
  OR
• LIS 4163 Introduction to Archives (3)

To view Library & Information Science course rotations click on the following link: LIS Course Rotations.

LIS 1021, Information Literacy: An introduction to the identification, location, evaluation, and use of information sources. Overviews steps of the research process including developing research questions, research planning and methods, use of electronic and print resources, and the evaluation of information relevance and reliability. Open to all students who wish to improve research skills.

LIS 2012, Foundations of Library & Information Science: Introduction to the history of library science as a discipline, current use of information in society, and current issues in librarianship. Covers theories of organization, classification, and information retrieval, as well as types of librarianship, professional organizations, and career opportunities.

LIS 3013, Library Public Services: Focusing on librarianship as a public service, this course focuses on information-seeking behavior and satisfying patron needs in a wide range of contexts. The course explores principles of research and reference, information literacy, reader’s advisory, library program development, and curation of information resources.

LIS 3033, Technology in Library & Information Science: An overview of technological trends in libraries, including current and emerging technologies. Provides and introduction to tools, processes, web applications, and integrated library systems.

LIS 4013, Reference in the Digital Age: An introduction to the knowledge and skills involved in reference services. Phases of the research process and reference interviews are emphasized. Students learn types of reference sources and differences between print and digital, and to select the most appropriate sources to meet research needs. Instruction includes database and online searching. Travel to cooperative libraries required for some assignments.

LIS 4023, Organization of Knowledge: An introduction to the classification and arrangement of information resources, both print and digital. Includes a history of classification and discussion of major classification systems. Basics of cataloging, controlled vocabulary, intellectual control, and retrieval are also covered along with basics of technical service.

LIS 4123, Library Management & Leadership: An overview of management and leadership as it relates to libraries. Covering a variety of libraries and information centers, this course describes organizational structure, planning, budgeting, human resources, and policy creation as well as promotion and advocacy.

LIS 4143, Collection Development: Covering the basics of collection development and management, this class covers subjects of collection evaluation, selection, planning, budgeting, maintenance, weeding, and censorship. Includes overview of genres and selection of audience-appropriate material. Students will create a collection development policy for a hypothetical library.

LIS 4163, Introduction to Archives: An introduction to archives and manuscripts, students will learn theories and practice of archival arrangement and description as well as basics of appraisal, intellectual control, preservation and conservation, disaster planning, access, and archival management. Both physical and digital materials are discussed.

LIS 4703 Library & Information Science Internship (SL): Enables each student to meet his/her educational and professional objectives through participation with a well-planned and organized practical experience in the field of library and information science under the guidance of the faculty mentor and the supervision of a designed professional. This course requires 96 hours of supervised practical experience in a library, archives, museum, or other information center. Pre: Completion of 12 hours in LIS course, 2.5 GPA, and permission of instructor. Includes a service learning component.

Course Rotations

• Library and Information Science Minor

Plans of Study

• Library and Information Science Minor

• Access to more than 90 article, newspaper and eBook databases. 

• These resources can be accessed 

• while off-campus

• J.W. Martin Library houses more than 90,000 books, more than 23,000 journals, 5,500 microfilm, and maintains an archive with more than 500 items

• J.W. Martin Library accommodated almost 50,000 students, faculty, staff, alumni, and members of the Northwestern community in 2019

• Offers a 21-credit hour Library and Information Science Minor program

NWOSU LIS Minor Program Outcomes

The Library and Information Science minor program at Northwestern Oklahoma State University focuses primarily on the core competencies of librarianship outlined by the American Library Association in the document ALA’s Core Competencies of Librarianship, approved by the ALA Council on January 27th of 2009.

The competencies fall under eight broad categories:

1. Foundations of the Profession
2. Information Resources
3. Organization of Recorded Knowledge and Information
4. Technological Knowledge and Skills
5. Reference and User Services
6. Research
7. Continuing Education and Lifelong Learning
8. Administration and Management

Specific competencies, quoted from the above document, are organized below according to the classes in the LIS minor that address them. Standards and competencies from other organizations are integrated where appropriate.

LIS 1021: Information Literacy

The standards for LIS 1021: Information Literacy are taken from Student Standard 3, “Knowledge Constructor,” of the International Society for Technology in Education.

1. “Students plan and employ effective research strategies to locate information and other resources for their intellectual or creative pursuits” (Standard 3A).
2. “Students evaluate the accuracy, perspective, credibility and relevance of information, media, data or other resources” (Standard 3b).
3. “Students curate information from digital resources using a variety of tools and methods to create collections of artifacts that demonstrate meaningful connections or conclusions” (Standard 3b).
4. “Students build knowledge by actively exploring real-world issues and problems, developing ideas and theories and pursuing answers and solutions” (Standard 3d).

LIS 2021: Foundations of Library & Information Science

The standards for LIS 2021: Foundations of Library & Information Science are taken from ALA’s Core Competencies of Librarianship.

1. Students explain “the ethics, values, and foundational principles of the library and information profession” (Core Competency 1A).
2. Students describe “the role of library and information professionals in the promotion of democratic principles and intellectual freedom (including freedom of expression, thought, and conscience)” (Core Competency 1B).
3. Students recall “the history of libraries and librarianship” (Core Competency 1C).
4. Students identify “current types of library (school, public, academic, special, etc.) and closely related information agencies” (Core Competency 1E).
5. Students identify “certification and/or licensure requirements of specialized areas of the profession” (Core Competency 1K).
6. Students analyze and critique some of “the central research findings and research literature of the field” (Core Competency 6B).
7. Students discuss “the role of the library in the lifelong learning of patrons, including an understanding of lifelong learning in the provision of quality service and the use of lifelong learning in the promotion of library services” (Core Competency 7B).

LIS 3013: Library Public Services

The standards for LIS 3013: Public Services are taken from ALA’s Core Competencies of Librarianship.

1. Students identify and describe “the importance of effective advocacy for libraries, librarians, other library workers, and library services” (Core Competency 1H).
2. Students examine and compare “the central research findings and research literature in the field” (Core Competency 6B).
3. Students explain “the role of the library in the lifelong learning of patrons, including an understanding of lifelong learning in the provision of quality service and the use of lifelong learning in the promotion of library services” (Core Competency 7B).

LIS 3033: Technology in Libraries and Information Service

The standards for LIS 3033: Technology in Libraries and Information Service are taken from ALA’s Core Competencies of Librarianship.

1. Students identify and cite examples of “information, communication, assistive, and related technologies as they affect the resources, service delivery, and uses of libraries and other information agencies” (Core Competency 4A).
2. Students utilize “information, communication, assistive, and related technology and tools consistent with professional ethics and prevailing service norms and applications” (Core Competency 4B).
3. Students “identify and analyze emerging technologies and innovations in order to recognize and implement relevant technological improvements” (Core Competency 4D).

LIS 4013: Reference

The standards for LIS 4013: Reference are taken from ALA’s Core Competencies of Librarianship.

1. Students demonstrate “the concepts, principles, and techniques of reference and user services that provide access to relevant and accurate recorded knowledge and information to individuals of all ages and groups” (Core Competency 5A).
2. Students perform “techniques used to retrieve, evaluate, and synthesize information from diverse sources for use by individuals of all ages and groups” (Core Competency 5B).
3. Students implement “the methods used to interact successfully with individuals of all ages and groups to provide consultation, mediation, and guidance in their use of recorded knowledge and information” (Competency 5C).
4. Students locate and evaluate “the central research findings and research literature of the field” (Competency 6B).

LIS 4023: Organization of Knowledge

The standards for LIS 4023: Organization of Knowledge are taken from ALA’s Core Competencies of Librarianship.

1. Students discuss “the principles involved in the organization and representation of recorded knowledge and information” (Core Competency 3A).
2. Students practice “the developmental, descriptive, and evaluative skills needed to organize recorded knowledge and information resources” (Core Competency 3B).
3. Students compare and contrast “the systems of cataloguing, metadata, indexing, and classification standards and methods used to organize recorded knowledge and information” (Core Competency 3C).

LIS 4123: Library Management and Leadership

The standards for LIS 4123: Library Management and Leadership are taken from ALA’s Core Competencies of Librarianship.

1. Students articulate “the necessity of continuing professional development of practitioners in libraries and other information agencies” (Core Competency 7A).
2. Students simulate “planning and budgeting in libraries and other information agencies” (Core Competency 8A).
3. Students examine “the principles of effective personnel practices and human resource development” (Core Competency 8B).
4. Students analyze “the concepts behind, and methods for, assessment and evaluation of library services and their outcomes” (Core Competency 8C).
5. Students discuss “the concepts behind, and methods for, developing partnerships, collaborations, networks, and other structures with all stakeholders and within communities served” (Core Competency 8D).

LIS 4143: Collection Development

The standards for LIS 4143: Collection Development are taken from ALA’s Core Competencies of Librarianship.

1. Students simulate “acquisition and disposition of resources, including evaluation, selection, purchasing, processing, storing, and deselection” (Core Competency 2B).
2. Students review “concepts, issues, and methods related to the maintenance of collections, including preservation and conservation” (Core Competency 2D).

LIS 4163: Introduction to Archives

The standards for LIS 4163: Introduction to Archives are adapted from the Curriculum section of the Guidelines for a Graduate Program in Archival Studies of the Society of American Archivists.

1. Students articulate and when appropriate implement archival materials and functions, including the concept of archives, selection, appraisal, acquisition, arrangement, description, preservation, and access (Guideline A1), including:

1. Problems and issues related to physical collections
2. Problems and issues related to electronic records and digital media.

2. Students review a broad knowledge of the profession, including history of archives, nature of archival records and manuscripts, and ethics of archival work (Guideline A2).
3. Students identify and discuss legal and financial issues, including laws and ethics related to archival preservation and access (Guideline A3).

LIS 4703: Library and Information Science Internship

The standards for LIS 4703: Library and Information Science Internship are taken from the academic learning objectives of the Service Learning/Civic Engagement (SLICE) program.

1. “Involves experience with a community-based organization suitable for promoting civic learning.”
2. “Incorporates voluntary reflection by students in order to gain better understanding of the material they are studying.”
3. “Results in students having a greater appreciation of the discipline they are studying.”
4. “Based upon principles of a campus-community partnership and reciprocity.”