Public Library

In societies that are increasingly diverse—culturally, linguistically, and technologically—library and information professionals have many opportunities to contribute to the lives of individuals and communities. The Community-Engaged LIS (CELIS) track prepares students for meaningful and impactful professional engagement with community members in their respective areas of practice, including libraries, museums, archives, and other information and cultural heritage organizations. Librarians, archivists, and information professionals skilled in community engagement can work effectively in both traditional roles (e.g., reference, outreach, programming, information literacy, community archiving) and emergent roles (e.g., community engagement initiatives, fundraising, partnership building, advocacy, and marketing).

Students completing this track will gain knowledge of how to understand community life and culture, identify the goals and needs of its members, help community members tap into their resources and potential, and work alongside them to improve their well-being. Community-engaged professionals excel at connecting communities with resources and services in libraries, archives, and information organizations, co-creating knowledge and co-designing innovative programs with community members, and engaging in advocacy and policy change.

Representative job titles related to this track include Community Engagement Librarian, Outreach Librarian/Outreach Archivist, Reference Librarian, Instruction and Collections Archivist, Liaison Librarian, Marketing and Outreach Librarian, and Community Archivist.

Course Selection

Required Courses (4 courses: 12 credits):

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

Recommended Electives:

  • LSC 837: Community Engagement
  • LSC 672: Managing Libraries, Museums & Archives
  • LSC 838: The Reading Experience in Libraries, Archives and Museums
  • LSC 843: Public Programs, Outreach and Digital Exhibits in Libraries, Archives, and Museums
  • LSC 644: Information Literacy Instruction
  • LSC 631: Storytelling
  • LSC 695: Practicum

Other Electives:

  • LSC 889: The Public Library
  • LSC 881: The College and University Library
  • LSC 635: Human Information Behavior
  • LSC 641: Collection Development and Management
  • LSC 848: Media for Children
  • LSC 849: Media for Young Adults
  • LSC 675: Research Methods in Library and Information Science

Courses mapped to the areas of the Department of Information Sciences Professional Competencies

Information Organization

Resources & Services

Information Technology

Professional Identity & Management

Required Courses

551

553

555

557

Recommended Electives

838

644

837        672      838

843        644      631

838

837   672     838

843   695     

Other
Electives

889    881       635    641   848        849

641

889    881   675

CELIS CWP (Coursework Plan)


Select Publications of Interest

  • The Library Quarterly: Information, Community, Policy
  • Journal of Librarianship & Information Science  
  • American Archivist 
  • Archival Science
  • College & Research Libraries
  • Journal of Academic Librarianship
  • Journal of Information Literacy 
  • Journal of Library Administration
  • Public Library Quarterly
  • Public Services Quarterly
  • Reference and User Services Quarterly
  • Reference Services Review 
  • The Reference Librarian

Select Organizations of Interest


Adopted 2026
Updated July 2026