Teaching & Training

This course introduces students to the professional practice of data librarianship and the unique service delivery models used for different audiences and their information environments: students and researchers in academic libraries and stakeholders and decision-makers in public libraries, government information services, and corporate business information centres. Each service model will be explored to build an understanding of how data assets are managed based on organizational purpose. Topics will include the research data management lifecycle, data reference services, data collection and management in public libraries, and how data is used operationally in special libraries and corporate information environments. Data stewardship, governance, policy and privacy issues, and communities of practice will also be addressed. The course will take the form of lectures and in-classroom exercises that simulate real-life practice.

The objective of the Information Professional Practicum course is to prepare students for the professional workplace. Projects may be completed in person, remotely, or a combination of both. Whatever the work setting, students will learn how to interact in a professional setting, observe the different management and leadership styles of supervisors and others, and gain a better self‐awareness of professional interests and abilities.

This course introduces students to the foundations of evaluation, including using the logic model, program evaluation, data gathering, analysis and reporting. Examples of evaluation in a variety of information environments will be explored, including libraries, archives and museums as well as how evaluation is applied and practiced in information systems and design and user experience design. This course provides students with a new skill highly in demand in the information and data sciences job markets.

The purpose of this course is to prepare students to hone their professional identity, professional communication skills, and professional learning capacity. Learning to become a capable workplace professional is as important as competence in one’s field of study. Characteristics of the capable workplace professional include: engaging in reflective practice to aid learning and to solve problems, valuing excellent communication and interpersonal skills, developing strong self-awareness, exercising sound ethical judgment, and developing an orientation to elevating their profession. The conceptual hub of the course is an exploration of the ideal type of the professional. Three overarching course themes are: (a) developing new awareness of learning and skills needed to become a capable workplace professional: (b) the reflective journey to develop one’s own sense of professional identity; (c) a practical emphasis on presenting oneself effectively in the job market. Students will become prepared to enter their field and to thrive as emerging professionals, both in student placements and beyond graduation. This course is recommended for first-year students contemplating the co-op option and it is also suitable for graduating students contemplating the job market.

Foundations of evaluation, including using the logic model, program evaluation, data gathering, analysis and reporting. Examples of evaluation and assessment in public, academic, and special are explored, with an emphasis on how libraries use data and evaluation to inform decision-making and support advocacy.