Public Library

In a global society that is increasingly diverse, culturally, linguistically, and technologically, library information professionals have many new opportunities to contribute to the lives of users, communities, and society at large. The Community Services Librarianship course of study prepares students for this type of outreach and engagement with members of a community or organization. Community services information professionals can work in public libraries, academic libraries, and all types of specialized libraries.

Students of this course of study will gain knowledge of how to understand the community’s life and culture, identify the goals and needs of its members, and work alongside them to improve their situation and their outcomes. Community services librarians excel at connecting the community with the resources and services of the library, design innovative programs to engage users, and advocate for the needs of the communities.

Representative position titles related to this course of study include  Community Engagement Specialist, Outreach Specialist, Instruction Librarian, Reference and Instruction Librarian, Liaison Librarian, Marketing and Outreach Librarian, and Community Services Librarian.

Within the Community Services course of study, students can concentrate on any of the following information environments. For ease of reference, specialized recommended courses are listed for each of the three types of information environment. In addition, students interested in community archives should consult the Cultural Heritage Information Management Course of Study for additional relevant courses.

  • Public Libraries
  • Academic Libraries
  • Specialized Libraries

Course Selection

Required Courses (4 courses: 12 credits):

  • LSC 551: Organization of Information
  • LSC 553: Information Sources and Services
  • LSC 555: Information Systems in Libraries and Information Centers
  • LSC 557: The Information Professions in Society

Recommended Common Electives:

  • LSC 635: Human Information Behavior
  • LSC 672: Management
  • LSC 695: Practicum

Specialized Recommended Electives:

Public Library Specialization Academic Library Specialization Specialized Library Specialization
Highly Recommended LSC 889: The Public Library LSC 881: The College and University Library LSC 887: Institute on Federal Library Resources

LSC 888: The Special Library/Information Center
Recommended specialized electives

LSC 631: Storytelling

LSC 641: Collection Development and Management

LSC 643: Oral History

LSC 644: Information Literacy Instruction

LSC 752: Design and Production of Multimedia

LSC 843: Public Programs, Outreach and Digital Exhibits in Libraries, Archives, and Museums

LSC 848: Media for Children

LSC 849: Media for Young Adults

LSC 527: Introduction to Data Science

LSC 633: Information Retrieval and Analysis

LSC 641: Collection Development and Management

LSC 644: Information Literacy Instruction

LSC 752: Design and Production of Multimedia

LSC 843: Public Programs, Outreach and Digital Exhibits in Libraries, Archives, and Museums

LSC 524: Actionable Intelligence

LSC 527: Introduction to Data Science

LSC563: Data Visualization

LSC 633: Information Retrieval and Analysis

LSC637: Government Data and Information

LSC 654: Database Management

LSC 675: Research Methods in Library and Information Science



Courses mapped to the areas of the DLIS Professional Competencies

Information Organization Resources/Services Information Technology Professional Identity/Management
Required Courses 551 553 555 557
Recommended Common Electives 635 672
695A

Specialized Recommended
Electives

524

637

631
641
643
644
848
849

527
563
633
654
752
843


674
881
887
888
889

 Community Services Librarianship Checklist 05-2020 (.docx)

Publications of Interest

  • Public Library Quarterly
  • Internet Reference Services Quarterly
  • Reference and User Services Quarterly
  • Public Services  Quarterly
  • Library Leadership Management

Organizations of Interest


 Adopted November 2017
Updated May 2020