This course explores how people select and process information for problem solving and decision making. Drawing on insights from research in information studies and cognitive psychology, we will explore the factors that influence the information people notice, remember, understand, and find persuasive.

This course is an introduction to user-centered approaches to human information behaviour and explores the information needs, seeking, sources and information use of members of various groups in different contexts. In addition, it introduces the theoretical frameworks, models and practical research methods that form the foundation for studies of information behaviour and offers students the opportunity to carry out a small-scale research study.

LIS practice is based on the compositions of the societies within which libraries exist and serve.  This course will focus on the needs of diverse library users and on the response of libraries and information professions to the challenges that are posed by the changing social and cultural composition of library users.

This course focuses on readers of the past and present, reading, and reading practices, as observed through the lens of different theoretical and disciplinary approaches. We consider contributions to reading research from a variety of areas, including histoire du livre, literary criticism, sociology, education, media studies, popular culture studies, and library and information science

The course, provided online, includes an Introduction with the course requirements, followed by a discussion of the concept of International Librarianship, several regional case studies based on the history of library development, several key issues in LIS provision, innovations in service provision and key resources for research and working internationally.

Discover how oral storytelling told from the imaginative heart entertains us, enhances our critical thinking, inspires self-confidence, and creates vibrant communities. Learn how to research, choose, prepare, and present your stories in libraries and community venues. Explore how storytelling improves multiple literacies in an age of print and information technologies.

This course will look at the roots of stories and storytelling by examining ancient myth and folklore and its historical and current relevancy in Library work. The course will also examine why story is essential to human communication. Research, combined with the practicum aspect of the course will identify the role of story within the current praxis of librarianship.

Libraries build their communities in many ways – through development of social contacts and networks; building individual and community skills; and encouraging lifelong learning, wellbeing and outreach. This course takes a theory in action approach, building upon the principles of social inclusion, civic engagement, and citizen empowerment, within a library context.

An introduction to materials for young children, primarily contemporary but also historical. Major genres, authors, illustrators and trends in literature for young children. Evaluation of library materials, both print and non-print and both fiction and informational, for young children. Supporting the development of young children as readers and information seekers through their interaction with library materials.

An introduction to materials for older children, primarily contemporary but also historical. Major genres, authors, and trends in literature for older children. Evaluation of library materials, both print and non-print and both fiction and nonfiction, for older children. Reading competencies and interests of elementary school age children in grades three to six.

Introduces students to information resources and library services for young adults. Topics include multiple literacies, information and communication technologies, media use, rights and access to information, inclusive library services and community outreach. We will move from theoretical understandings of issues to the practical implications for public library services to youth.

Introduction to materials for young adults with coverage of genres and trends in YA literature. Evaluation of library materials for young adults taking account of reading interests and motivation, information practices, adolescent development and youth culture. Strategies to promote YA library materials and development of materials-based programming for teens.

The history, philosophy, place and purpose of services to children in libraries are studied. An introduction to administrative aspects of library services for children. Developing, planning, presenting and evaluating library services for children.

Topics covered include: the origins, development, and appeal to readers of various popular genres of reading materials; theoretical and empirical approaches to understanding the experience of pleasure-reading; and specific skills needed to be an effective readers’ advisor, including interviewing, leading book discussions, writing annotations, and booktalking.

This course will introduce students to important works of literature. Students will read and discuss texts in order to appreciate how they have shaped literary movements and tastes over time. Possible texts include work by Austen, Flaubert, Dickens, Conan Doyle, Shelley, Fitzgerald, O’Connor, Capote, Morrison, Atwood, Munro.

An introduction to the skills and resources needed to provide and promote readers’ advisory service in a public library setting. The emphasis will be on serving and understanding the reading needs of adults, the appeal factors of narrative nonfiction and fiction genres (in different formats) and the links between them.