ILS 501 Introduction to Information Science and Technology
Course Description: Principles and applications of computers and information technologies in libraries and information centers.
Course Objectives:
- Define and explain the function of fundamental information technology architecture and related components.
- Describe the evolution of information science and its relationship to library science.
- Use basic computer systems to achieve productive work relevant to a library or information center.
- Describe telecommunication systems used by libraries and individuals accessing remote information systems.
- Explain functions of local networks, intranets and internetworking systems.
- Use basic Internet systems and services.
ILS 501 was a challenging course in the acquisition of the Masters of Library Science degree. It required a mastery of information science skills including computer-based technologies and associated vocabulary beyond that of any other introductory course. It has also become one of the most valuable courses in my career as it opened my eyes to the use of information technologies in library science.
The research projects assigned in this course centered on three primary topics: management issues regarding technology, effective use of search engines and meta search engines, and technology applications in library and information science. For the first topic, I chose to investigate the ways in which technology dominates library management decision making (4A, 4C and 4D). With the advent of the worldwide web, information available online far exceeds the amount maintained on library shelves and information delivery technologies continue to evolve. Online retrieval processes and resources have come to dominate library budgets. In the face of rapidly evolving technology, and lacking effective cost analysis models, the traditional library structure is ill-prepared to measure the economic benefit of technology applications, requiring management to rely on qualitative data in order to make budgetary decisions. A literature review of current and emerging technologies was conducted to illuminate the complex array of technological choices facing management today. Library Management Issues with Regards to Technology serves as a tutorial and basis for discussion on this topic.
Each of the course projects investigated the use of information related technologies and tools in the delivery of information services (4B). The use of common software applications, Microsoft Publisher and Microsoft Excel, and creating a simple blog site was assigned to familiarize us with tools that librarians must know in order to better service the needs of information seekers today. I found the greatest value in a Web Search Exercise which compared the reliability and relevancy of results achieved through search engines and meta-search engines. In my analysis, I became familiar with the default and advanced operations of search engines and grew to understand the value of precision, relevance and recall in using search engines to meet information needs. Of greatest value was the realization that commonly used search engines produce poor search results due to their inability to search the "deep web."