4. Information Systems: Students will master the theory, knowledge, and skills necessary for entry-level performance of information systems responsibilities. 

           Procuring a diverse skillset requires a working knowledge of the information systems that every working librarian will use during the course of their career. Prior to completing the Organization of Knowledge (LIS 6711) course, my knowledge of library information systems was limited to knowing about the Dewey Decimal and Library of Congress classification systems. However, this course, taught by Dr. Jinfang Niu, required students to delve into the minutia of each classification and information system in order to become comfortable with its implementation. Systems such as RDA and MARC were also introduced during this course so that future catalogers could discover their interest in the field and gain a comprehension education that can then be complemented with hands-on work. Though I have experience and an understanding of these information systems, this specialty area is one that I would enjoy getting more hands-on, practical experience with in a real library setting in order to develop a confident full mastery of the various systems.

         

4.1. Students will describe theories of information organization and intellectual access, including relevant national and international standards.

          As a part of the course curriculum, we were not only learning about each system but critical analysis was also encouraged. I found that the RDA and MARC cataloging systems were very precise in their abilities to provide succinct cataloging information that enables researchers to find sources using subject headings, call numbers and other item-specific information that be pulled from the different fields of the entry. To add more depth to this information, these systems are able to contain more points of data through additional indicators and subfields. Additionally, these systems have grown out of a need to standardize the information systems used across the globe. As a result, libraries use the Anglo-American Cataloguing Rules to provide stable and uniform entries that streamline the steps a researcher must take when looking for a resource on a specific topic, time period, etc. 

 

4.2. Students will use theories and demonstrate methods of data analysis, including thesaurus creation, indexing, classification, and subject analysis and 4.3. Students will use cataloging tools and bibliographic utilities to create bibliographic records.

           To practice the theories presented through the Organization of Knowledge (LIS 6711) course, creating bibliographic entries was a requirement that needed to be completed through semester projects and homework. Since the course was provided online, as the program is an online-based one, it was an interesting challenge to create records using online resources. However, this practice only served to model how these information systems are useful to users in person and via the internet, as individuals can create records from their own homes as well as their work desks.The creation of each record required students to carefully review the notes and gather supplementary resources that culminated in a fully-formed record throughout the multiple systems studied in the course.