Sample work follows course descriptions from the SLIS website.

LS 500. Organization of Information.

Three hours. Required course introducing the principles of organizing bibliographies, library catalogs, and collections. Examines the content of bibliographic records in printed and machine-readable form, choice and form of access points, authority control, verbal and classified systems of subject access, and the impact of new technologies. An introduction to OCLC searching is included. The course objective is to enable the student to understand and use catalogs and bibliographies. Students interested in becoming catalogers should follow LS 500 with LS 506 Cataloging and Classification.

Reflection on the Principle of Least Effort pdf | txt
In this short essay, the first assignment of my graduate studies, I was instructed to discuss “matters of information organization from the perspective of the goal of information systems” and reflect critically on the Principle of Least Effort.

LS 501. Introduction to Library and Information Studies

Three hours. Required course designed to provide the student with a broad background in library and information studies, this course must be taken during the first 12 hours of a student’s program. Through a variety of instructional methods, this course examines three interrelated themes: the nature of the library and information profession; issues of intellectual freedom and access to information; and the impact of technology upon society and the profession.

“Impact Of Technology” pdf | txt
A position paper disagreeing with a statement on technology’s impact on the LIS field.

LS 502. Research Methods

Three hours. Required course introducing research design and statistical techniques used in library, media, and information science. At the conclusion of the course, the student should be able to comprehend and utilize research reports in these fields and to design and carry out basic research projects.

“Access to Information and Library Patrons with Intellectual Disabilities” pdf | txt
A problem statement and rationale for a proposed research study.

LS 506. Cataloging and Classification

Three hours. Explores problems of descriptive cataloging of print and non-print materials; subject access using Library of Congress subject headings, LC classification, and Dewey decimal classification; OCLC searching, record modification, and inputting; and contemporary issues in bibliographic control.

LS 507. Information Sources and Services

Three hours. Required course introducing printed and digital reference sources and reference services.

DIALOG Search and Evaluation of Results pdf | txt
An execution of two DIALOG file searches based on a hypothetical search request; includes my evaluation of my search strategy and the quality of the results.

LS 512. Information Resources–Sciences

Three hours. Surveys scientific and technical communication, the bibliographic structure of science and technology, and information services for scientists and technologists. In-depth study of the major information sources in biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, engineering, and geology is included.

LS 531. Academic Libraries

Three hours. Study of the role of library service in higher education.

“Academic Library Literature and Access to Library Databases for People with Disabilities” pdf | txt
In this Academic Library Literature Evaluation assignment, I was instructed to summarize and evaluate journal articles on a specific topic, comparing the treatment of the topic in three different journals that address aspects of academic librarianship.

LS 533. Special Libraries and Information Centers

Three hours. Philosophy, environment, and unique aspects of the services, operation, and management of special libraries and information centers are covered. Provides considerable opportunity for study of topics of interest to individual students.

Article Presentation: “How New Managers Become Great Managers” pdf | txt
This handout accompanied a presentation in which I summarized a Harvard Business School Working Knowledge article and discussed its implications for special librarians.

Paper: “The Search” pdf | txt
In my final project paper, I reviewed John Battelle’s The Search: How Google And Its Rivals Rewrote The Rules Of Business And Transformed Our Culture and discussed its message for special librarians. I also created a Google-style slide for a two-minute “paper slam” highlighting the paper’s key points.

"The Search" slide (click to enlarge)

LS 538. Law Libraries and Legal Resources

Three hours. Introduces the concepts of law library management and the techniques and materials of legal research.

LS 560. Information Technology

Three hours. Required course. Topics in information technology; applications of automation to library procedures; planning for and implementing an automated library system; and the library of the future.

To fulfill a personal website assignment, I developed a hand-tagged, CSS-driven simple website.  One may view screenshots of two of the site’s pages by clicking on the images below.

website "links" page (click to enlarge)

website "ls560" page (click to enlarge)

LS 570. Internship in Library and Information Studies

In Spring 2009, I interned in the library of the Brewer-Porch Children’s Center, which is affiliated with the University of Alabama and provides residential and outpatient emotional and behavioral services. My internship blog offers description of and reflection on my work, along with links to related resources.

LS 590-902. Library User Instruction

From the syllabus: This course is intended to provide students with an introduction to the concepts, theories, and practice of library user instruction through reading, discussion, class speakers, and practice. The focus of the course will be on instruction for adult users in public and academic library settings.

Handout: “Evaluating Health Information On The Web” pdf | txt
The handout accompanied an instruction session I created and conducted using the eLearning and Wimba Live Classroom instructional technology tools.  While developing the instruction session, I also compiled health information literacy resources for consumers and for health and information professionals.

LS 590-903. Metadata Management and Control

From the course instructor: This course is a survey of metadata issues that is coupled with hands on experiences.  These are the course objectives: To provide students with a clear understanding of the various problems that metadata design methods address; To provide opportunities for the design and implementation of metadata projects, including application profiles and controlled vocabularies; To expose student to the varieties of metadata schemas for networked resources; To acquaint the student with current trends in metadata.

Digital Repository Presentation Handout pdf | txt
Digital Repository Presentation Slides pdf only
This assignment called for researching a selected digital repository and presenting my findings to the class. Throughout the semester, I also blogged on course-related activities at External Schema, a personal WordPress blog assigned for the course.