Course Information for PLM 2

Course Description: 

Public Library Management 2 is sponsored by the State Library of Iowa and provides an overview of community analysis, library services, the planning process, marketing, advocacy and the changing nature of the public library.  The course methods include lecture and discussion over the Iowa Communications Network (ICN), a class Web board hosted by WebJunction Iowa as well as reading and written homework outside of class time.  The course provides 20 contact hours of instruction and is intended for public librarians who need the course to meet requirements for certification at Levels I through IV.  [As certification is a requirement of Direct State Aid for directors, please see the priority list followed when letting people into the class.]

Course Objectives:

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• Discuss the role of the public library in the community, as well as the community's role in the public library
• Define community analysis and discuss its importance.
• Understand the impact of internet and public access computers on the public library
• Understand the importance of the library's role in developing customers' information literacy skills
• Describe reference and information services including the reference interview, common reference sources and reader’s advisory
• Identify potential services to community population groups such as adults, young adults and children
• Understand the importance of long-range planning, marketing and advocacy
• Develop a personal philosophy of librarianship

Course Topics: 

Session 9 - Internet, Public Access and Information Literacy 
Session 10 - Community Analysis
Session 11 - Information and Adult Services
Session 12 - Teen Services
Session 13 - Children's Services
Session 14 - The Planning Process: Putting It All Together
Session 15 - Telling the Library Story: Marketing and Advocacy
Session 16 - Summary Session: Library as Place

Other course information:

• Resource Materials

• Earning an attendence certificate

• Term project

Acknowledgments:

Our thanks to the University of Wisconsin - Extension for allowing the State Library of Iowa to purchase the replication rights to A50 Basic Library Management for Public Librarians for adaption for Iowa.  The original adaptation was done by faculty of the University of Iowa, School of Library and Information Science in 1986.  The most recent revision was completed by Michele Leininger, Sandy Dixon, Gerry  Rowland, Mary Cameron and Marie Harms, State Library of Iowa; Susan Henricks, Carnegie-Stout Public Library;  Bonnie McKewon, Northwest Iowa Library Services; Deb Tobias, East Central Library Services; Vicki Myron, Spencer Public Library.

Funded by the State Library of Iowa with federal Library Services and Technology Act funds from the Institute of Museum and Library Services.