Course Syllabus
Acquisition of Library Materials
Library & Information Technology 108
Spring 2010
http://www.exo.net/L108

February 6, 20, and March 6, 9am-2:50pm
Location: L143
1 credit
Instructor: Debbie Hunt

Required reading: class handouts and articles linked from L108 website and/or on the class outline.

Course description: This is an introduction to the field of library acquisitions for paraprofessionals. This course offers an exploration of how libraries and information centers add library materials to their collections through print and online ordering, the Internet, and other means. It also explores how libraries decide what to order from the thousands of books, journals, multimedia, and other materials that are published. Classroom instruction will include lecture, discussion, guest speakers, written assignments, and oral presentations by students.

Course objectives:
a. The student will be expected to perform paraprofessional procedures for ordering and receiving library and information center materials. These materials include books, periodicals, reports, government documents, pamphlets, maps, archival materials, videotapes, CDs/DVDs, and software.
b. The student will be able to:

1. Verify library materials information
2. Learn about collection development policies
3. Follow basic acquisitions and deselection procedures
4. Discern between all the forms of library materials
5. Understand issues of intellectual freedom and librarie's role in defending that freedom

Term project (oral presentation and term paper): Collection review, weeding and acquisitions project

This term project will enable you to learn more about the acquisitions process by conducting a "real world" experience in the DVC Library. Each student will be assigned a small section of the DVC library collection. You will be given a range of call numbers that will correspond to the collection you will be responsible for examining for your final project.

The assignment will be to review your assigned part of the collection on the shelves, identify 3-5 books to be weeded and then to identify new books to acquire as replacements for those you have selected to be withdrawn from the collection.

At the last class session, each student will give a 3-5 minute oral presentation detailing the process s/he followed to evaluate the collection, choose books to be weeded, select books to purchase, and verify required information for purchasing.

The presentation should be based on a 2-3 page word-processed paper detailing the experience. Details will be provided in class on the contents of the written paper and documentation to be collected.

Please turn in the 2-3 page Term Project paper to the instructor after your oral presentation. Also provide a stamped, self-addressed envelope so she can return the term paper to you. Have fun with this project!

DO NOT read your essay as your oral presentation.
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Attendance: Since this is a short term class, a student must attend all 3 sessions for the full class time. Please be prompt!

Student Code of Conduct: Please refer to the DVC Catalog for details.

Class participation: Your wholehearted participation is encouraged in class discussions. We all learn from one another's experiences and questions. There are no dumb questions!

All papers handed in MUST be TYPED on a computer and GRAMMATICALLY CORRECT.

Late assignments will have points deducted. Please turn in all assignments on time.

Grading:

Final grade:
94-100 points A
87-93 points B
80-86 points C
73-79 points D
<73 points F