Library shelves

This course of study is designed to guide students to develop specialized knowledge and skills related to the organization of information objects in all formats and obtain hands-on practices in metadata standards, database management, and the management of physical and digital information resources. Coursework provides students with a solid foundation in the following areas: the theory and principles of information organization, standards and best practices in information organization and management, knowledge of user needs and information seeking behavior, proficient use of technologies for organizing information, and application of research findings. A student who completes this course of study will be well-prepared to work in any type of library or information center, and will be qualified for positions such as: cataloger, indexer, metadata specialist, digital library specialist, electronic resources librarian, and technical services librarian.

Courses

The department offers a variety of courses that focus on the organization of information. Students interested in this course of study will take the four required courses plus the six highly recommended courses and two of the elective courses listed below. Interested students are encouraged to consult with their advisor to plan a course of study that will best meet their personal and professional needs.

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

Highly Recommended Courses (4 courses: 12 credits)

  • LSC 565: Data on the Web
  • LSC 606: Cataloging and Classification
  • LSC 612: Foundations of Digital Libraries
  • LSC 615: Metadata
  • LSC 616: Knowledge Organization Systems
  • LSC 713: Description and Access for Non-Print and Digital Resource

Other Electives (4 courses: 12 credits)

  • LSC: 635: Human Information Behavior
  • LSC 641: Collection Development and Management
  • LSC 646: Archives Management 
  • LSC 650: Information Architecture and Web Design
  • LSC 654: Database Management
  • LSC 675: Research Methods in Library and Information Science
  • LSC 695A: Practicum
  • LSC 747: Special Collections
  • LSC 753: Programming for Web Applications
  • LSC 832: Rare books

Organization of Information course of study checklist (.docx)

Online Resources and Publications

For more information about the area of information organization and recent trends, the following resources might be of interest to students:

Professional Associations
Professional associations provide a variety of resources for students, professionals, and paraprofessionals including continuing education classes and seminars, networking opportunities, listservs, and much more. Most have student discounts and some offer mentoring programs for new graduates. Some associations related to health informatics include:

 

Revised January 2020