Library and Information Science Course

Lesson 1 • Professional Ethics and Standards

This covers ethical obligations including confidentiality, intellectual freedom, and equitable access. It grounds professional conduct in internationally recognised codes.

Lesson 2 • Types of Libraries and Information Centers

This surveys public, academic, special, and digital library models. It clarifies how institutional context shapes collection and service priorities.

Lesson 3 • History and Evolution of Libraries

This traces libraries from ancient collections to modern digital repositories. It provides historical context that frames contemporary professional practice.

Lesson 4 • Core Concepts in Documentation

This defines documentation as the systematic recording and organisation of knowledge. It connects document theory to daily cataloguing and retrieval tasks.

Lesson 1 • Collection Assessment and Weeding

This introduces quantitative and qualitative methods for evaluating collection strength. It ensures collections remain current, relevant, and physically accessible.

Lesson 2 • Digital and Electronic Resources

This addresses licensing, access models, and management of e-resources. It extends collection skills to databases, e-books, and open-access materials.

Lesson 3 • Collection Development Policy

This defines the purpose and components of a formal collection policy. It anchors all acquisition decisions in documented institutional priorities.

Lesson 4 • Selection and Acquisition Processes

This covers tools and workflows for identifying and procuring materials. It links selection decisions to user needs and collection gaps.

Lesson 1 • Subject Analysis and Classification

This develops skills in assigning subject headings and classification numbers. It enables users to browse and retrieve materials by topic effectively.

Lesson 2 • Descriptive Cataloguing Standards

This applies current international descriptive cataloguing rules to varied material types. It builds competency in creating compliant records for monographs, serials, and media.

Lesson 3 • Principles of Bibliographic Description

This introduces the logic of standardised description for consistent record creation. It establishes why uniform data elements improve interoperability across systems.

Lesson 4 • Thesaurus Construction and Use

This explains how thesauri structure relationships between terms for precise retrieval. It prepares students to apply and build domain-specific controlled vocabularies.

Lesson 1 • Fundamentals of Information Retrieval

This explains indexing, query processing, and relevance ranking in retrieval systems. It provides the theoretical base for all subsequent search strategy work.

Lesson 2 • Evaluating and Presenting Search Results

This provides criteria for assessing source quality, currency, and authority. It prepares students to deliver organised, annotated results to users.

Lesson 3 • Reference Interview and Query Analysis

This teaches structured techniques for clarifying user queries before searching. It improves search relevance by translating vague requests into precise strategies.

Lesson 4 • Web and Deep Web Searching

This covers search engine mechanics, invisible web resources, and advanced web operators. It extends retrieval skills beyond library catalogues to open internet sources.

Lesson 1 • Information Literacy Frameworks

This introduces major frameworks defining information literacy competencies for learners. It grounds instructional design in recognised professional standards.

Lesson 2 • Instructional Design for Library Sessions

This applies instructional design principles to one-shot and embedded library instruction. It produces learning objectives, activities, and assessments for library sessions.

Lesson 3 • Models of Reference Service

This surveys traditional, virtual, and roving reference service models. It establishes service design principles applicable across physical and digital environments.

Lesson 4 • Outreach and Community Engagement

This covers strategies for promoting library services to underserved and new user groups. It connects outreach planning to institutional equity and access goals.

Lesson 1 • Integrated Library System Architecture

This explains the modular structure of ILS platforms and data flow between components. It provides the technical foundation for all subsequent system administration tasks.

Lesson 2 • System Evaluation and Migration

This provides criteria and processes for evaluating, selecting, and migrating library systems. It prepares students to lead or support technology transitions effectively.

Lesson 3 • Serials and Acquisitions Management

This addresses subscription tracking, claiming, and fund accounting within the ILS. It ensures continuity of serial access and accurate budget reporting.

Lesson 4 • Circulation and Patron Management

This covers borrowing rules, holds, fines, and patron record administration. It connects circulation policy to system configuration and user experience.

Lesson 1 • Archival Arrangement and Description

This applies provenance and original order principles to processing archival collections. It produces finding aids that enable researcher access to primary sources.

Lesson 2 • Reference Services in Archives

This covers researcher registration, access policies, and handling procedures for archival materials. It balances open access with preservation and privacy obligations.

Lesson 3 • Electronic Records and Digital Preservation

This addresses challenges of managing born-digital records over time. It connects electronic records management to long-term digital preservation strategies.

Lesson 4 • Classification and Retention Scheduling

This teaches functional classification schemes and legally defensible retention periods. It enables students to build and maintain institutional retention schedules.

Lesson 1 • Service Quality and Performance Measurement

This introduces quantitative and qualitative metrics for evaluating library services. It enables data-driven decisions to improve user satisfaction and operational efficiency.

Lesson 2 • Human Resources and Staff Development

This addresses hiring, supervision, performance evaluation, and continuing education. It connects staff development to service quality and organisational resilience.

Lesson 3 • Strategic Planning for Libraries

This applies environmental scanning and goal-setting frameworks to library contexts. It produces actionable strategic plans aligned with institutional mission.

Lesson 4 • Financial Management and Budgeting

This covers budget types, preparation processes, and financial reporting for libraries. It builds fiscal accountability skills essential for department leadership.