LIS 544: LIBRARY COOPERATION AND NETWORKS COURSE
 

YOU SHOULD TAKE THE COURSE IF:

You are interested in how the concept of library cooperation and networks came about and how library such cooperation is likely to evolve in the future in the context of digital librarianship.

You would like to learn more about the role of state and federal legislation in library development.

If you are curious about how library standards and performance guidelines are established.

If you want to know more about the role of the local library in multi-type library cooperatives and networks.

If you are interested in exploring library organization and development differs from state to state in the U. S.

If you have an interest in how state, regional and national networks such as ILLINET, OCLC, or RLIN have developed and are administered.

If you are interested in learning more about the administration digital library collections and national information infrastructures and the planning and possible administration of both electronic and traditional cooperative networks.

Although there is an emphasis on the public library in the course, librarians for all other types of libraries will find the course of interest. Library cooperation and networks are very important to academic, school, and special libraries, and the roles of these types of libraries in cooperatives and networks are explored. Students who have an interest in international librarianship are also welcome to explore international cooperative efforts or cooperative networks that exist in other countries.

The focus of the course is on the administrative and organizational structure of cooperation and not on the technical aspects. Thus Library Administration is a suggested prerequisite for the course. Individuals who have not had Library Administration, or are not enrolling in Library Administration during the same semester, but are interested in the course, should consult with the instructor.