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Library Science & Information Services

The emphasis of the Library Science and Information Services program is the education of school librarians, organized around the philosophy that the role of the school librarian is that of a teacher and a generalist with specialization in PK-12 information services. School librarians work with students and teachers to facilitate access to information, instruct students and teachers how to acquire, evaluate, and use information and the technology needed in this process, and introduce children and young adults to literature and other resources to broaden their horizons. As a collaborator, change agent, and leader, the school librarian develops, promotes, and implements a program that will help prepare students to be effective lifelong users of ideas and information. These many roles are detailed in Information Power.

Both the Master of Science in Library Science and the Education Specialist satisfy the requirements for Missouri school library media certification. The curriculum has been approved by the American Association of School Librarians (a division of the American Library Association) through the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education.

The curriculum is designed with the assumption that active learning is more effective than passive learning and that hands-on and inquiry methodologies are pedagogically sound. Students seek information; analyze, compare, and evaluate research findings; critique the literature; and apply their skills and competencies. Communication skills (oral, nonverbal, written, and graphic) are developed to function effectively as a school library media specialist. Current technology is integrated into courses and students learn to use them effectively.