Mission and Goals

Mission

The mission of the LIS Program is to educate individuals for careers as librarians and information specialists and to undertake instruction, research and service programs that meet current and emerging library, information and technology needs. The Program supports the Department’s and University's missions by developing leadership in a diverse local, national and international population with an emphasis on Hawaii and the Asia-Pacific region.

Program Goals

Annual assessment reports prepared for the Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs are available for review.
Student Assessment Report 2009
Student Assessment Report 2010
Student Assessment Report 2011

The Program's first goal is for students to acquire the knowledge, skills, and values that are fundamental to professional competence and career-long professional growth in the library and information services field. The Program seeks to implement its primary goal through the Master of Library & Information Science Program. Its specific objectives for student achievement are:

SLO 1: Understand, apply and articulate the history, philosophy, principles and ethics of library and information science and the related professions.

1a) Apply LIS theory and principles to diverse information contexts
1b) Demonstrate understanding of the historical context of information services and systems
1c) Develop and apply critical thinking skills in preparation for professional practice
1d) Craft and articulate a professional identity

SLO 2: Develop, administrate, assess, and advocate for information services by exercising principled communication, teamwork and leadership skills.

2a) Demonstrate understanding of leadership
2b) Work effectively in teams
2c) Develop, manage, and assess information services for specific users and communities
2d) Create instructional and outreach programs
2e) Demonstrate the ability to advocate effectively for information services

SLO 3: Organize, create, archive, preserve, retrieve, manage, evaluate, and disseminate information resources in a variety of formats.

3a) Demonstrate understanding of the processes by which information is created, evaluated, and disseminated.
3b) Organize, create, archive and manage collections of information resources following professional standards
3c) Search, retrieve and synthesize information from a variety of systems and sources
3d) Demonstrate understanding of issues and techniques of preservation of physical and digital objects

SLO 4: Evaluate and use the latest information technologies, research findings and methods.

4a) Evaluate systems and technologies in terms of quality, functionality, cost-effectiveness and adherence to professional standards
4b) Integrate emerging technologies into professional practice
4c) Apply current research findings to professional practice

SLO 5: Engage in projects and assignments dealing with multicultural communities and representing diverse points of view.

5a) Communicate and collaborate with diverse colleagues, information seekers and community stakeholders
5b) Demonstrate understanding of the social, cultural, political, and economic context of information services and systems
5c) Apply LIS principles to meet the needs of Native Hawaiian and Asia-Pacific communities and to promote cultural sustainability

With the attainment of these objectives, students are expected to be ready to interpret and apply the understanding gained to performance and leadership in the field.

LIS Curriculum Map: Student Learning Outcomes and Evidence Indicators (updated 05/2012)

The Program's second goal is to expand the knowledge base of the profession through research. To attain this, the Program has established these objectives:

1. Faculty engage in and publish their research in a range of scholarly and professional publications.
2. Faculty disseminate their research through local, national, and international conferences and proceedings and through other professional forums.
3. Faculty achieve recognition for the quality of their research through receipt of awards, scholarly acknowledgement, and grants.
4. Faculty participate in collaborative, multidisciplinary research efforts with colleagues at the local, national, and international levels.
5. Faculty incorporate their research findings in the courses they teach.
6. Students and faculty engage in research that responds to community information needs.
7. Students engage in research through courses and independent study.
8. Students present and receive recognition for their research.

The Program's third goal is to share its resources by extending services, within Hawaii and beyond. This service component embraces the following objectives:

1. Faculty collaborate with colleagues within the department and with other academic units in the UH system to incorporate aspects of library and information science in cross-disciplinary projects and programs.
2. Faculty and students conduct continuing education sessions for the professional community and general public that are related to the program's areas of expertise.
3. Faculty participate in service activities and assume leadership roles at the local, national, and international levels.
4. Faculty and students collaborate with community and state organizations and agencies in providing consultative, research, and instructional support for projects and programs.
5. Faculty and students collaborate with the K-12 educational community to promote information literacy in a range of projects and programs.
6. Students develop and demonstrate professionalism through participation and leadership in professional and service organizations.
7. Students volunteer their services to community, professional, university and state organizations and agencies.

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Revised April 11, 2008