In a few days' time I will be starting my third semester of the Masters of Library and Information Science (MLIS) program at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee's School of Information Studies. I can't believe this is already going to be my last semester as a full-time grad student! That means I'll only have one online class and the capstone project to complete during the summer term before graduating, and then I'll be done with school FOREVER – I mean it this time!
I'll be honest. Last semester wiped me out completely! Taking three of the four required courses in one semester (especially on top of working two part-time library gigs and dealing with some personal issues) was a HUGE no-no. To be fair (as my fiancé likes to remind me) I was told at orientation not to take all of the required courses during one semester ... but I figured taking a mere three of them would be OK – not so much. Oh well ... I survived, but I would strongly discourage anyone else from choosing to put themselves through that undue stress mess. But I guess all the insanity I went through last semester turned out to be worth it because ...
THIS SEMESTER IS GOING TO BE AWESOME!
I mean it. I'm only taking three classes this term (which sounds like a vacation!), and they are all pretty spectacular. Here's a look at which courses I'll be taking this semester:
Management of Libraries and Information Services (INFOST 524 – online): This elective course focuses on the library/information center as a service organization. It particularly deals with management of the library/information center including planning, budgeting, decision making, leadership styles, motivation, communication, personnel and financial management. Considering I hope to be a youth services supervisor and eventual library director, taking this class will definitely pay off!
Managing Library Collections (INFOST 520): According to the course catalog description, this class is all about "the theory and practice of collection management across formats including selection tools and criteria, acquisition and evaluation of collections, deselection, preservation, and other collection development topics." Put more simply, it's largely about how and why librarians decide to put certain items on the shelves (or online) and – as I'm getting a TON of experience doing at my internship – choosing which items to take out of the collection.
And here's the class I am most excited about taking ... Drum roll, please!
Special Topics in Information Science – Readers and Readers' Advisory (INFOST 691 – online):
This elective deals with serving adult reading needs that addresses popular fiction and nonfiction, audiobooks, illustrated books and other popular media, as well as research on readers, readers’ advisory, and the readers’ advisory interview. So what does the syllabus say? Read good books. For the homework? Review good books. For the discussions? Discuss good books. Having an academic obligation to sit around and read for fun ... somebody pinch me! It sounds like this class will be hard to top!
Here's to another fun, educational and formative year of library school at UWM! More importantly, I'm one step closer to graduation and my first real, big-girl job as a professional librarian! Paid sick time, personal days, vacation time, and health and dental insurance, here I come!
I'll be honest. Last semester wiped me out completely! Taking three of the four required courses in one semester (especially on top of working two part-time library gigs and dealing with some personal issues) was a HUGE no-no. To be fair (as my fiancé likes to remind me) I was told at orientation not to take all of the required courses during one semester ... but I figured taking a mere three of them would be OK – not so much. Oh well ... I survived, but I would strongly discourage anyone else from choosing to put themselves through that undue stress mess. But I guess all the insanity I went through last semester turned out to be worth it because ...
THIS SEMESTER IS GOING TO BE AWESOME!
I mean it. I'm only taking three classes this term (which sounds like a vacation!), and they are all pretty spectacular. Here's a look at which courses I'll be taking this semester:
Management of Libraries and Information Services (INFOST 524 – online): This elective course focuses on the library/information center as a service organization. It particularly deals with management of the library/information center including planning, budgeting, decision making, leadership styles, motivation, communication, personnel and financial management. Considering I hope to be a youth services supervisor and eventual library director, taking this class will definitely pay off!
Managing Library Collections (INFOST 520): According to the course catalog description, this class is all about "the theory and practice of collection management across formats including selection tools and criteria, acquisition and evaluation of collections, deselection, preservation, and other collection development topics." Put more simply, it's largely about how and why librarians decide to put certain items on the shelves (or online) and – as I'm getting a TON of experience doing at my internship – choosing which items to take out of the collection.
And here's the class I am most excited about taking ... Drum roll, please!
Special Topics in Information Science – Readers and Readers' Advisory (INFOST 691 – online):
This elective deals with serving adult reading needs that addresses popular fiction and nonfiction, audiobooks, illustrated books and other popular media, as well as research on readers, readers’ advisory, and the readers’ advisory interview. So what does the syllabus say? Read good books. For the homework? Review good books. For the discussions? Discuss good books. Having an academic obligation to sit around and read for fun ... somebody pinch me! It sounds like this class will be hard to top!
Here's to another fun, educational and formative year of library school at UWM! More importantly, I'm one step closer to graduation and my first real, big-girl job as a professional librarian! Paid sick time, personal days, vacation time, and health and dental insurance, here I come!
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