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What are Digital Libraries?

Digital libraries are commonly defined as “organizations that provide the resources, including the specialized staff to select, structure, offer intellectual access to, interpret, distribute, preserve the integrity of and ensure the persistence over time of collections of digital works so that they are readily and economically available for use by a defined community or set of communities (Digital Library Federation)." The SOIS Certificate in Digital Libraries prepares students to be active participants in digital library programs in universities, public libraries, archives and other information organizations.

The SOIS Certificate in Digital Libraries provides:

  • A theoretical foundation of library fundamentals, including information environments, collection development, technology management and user services 
  • A practical foundation that equips librarians with the skills necessary to develop unique collections using standards, creative technologies and excellent design.

Students may combine this certificate with other coursework toward the Master of Professional Studies.

Degree Requirements

The certificate is offered for students currently pursuing an MLIS, MSIM, or MPS at the School of Information Studies (SOIS) or to returning students who want to add the specialization to a completed post-graduate degree. Candidates work in collaboration with a faculty advisor to shape a plan of study. Certificate completion requires 15 graduate credit hours.

Curriculum

Certificate completion requires 15 graduate credit hours, including:

  • LIS 882 Metadata for Digital Resources
  • LIS 754 Systems Analysis and Design
  • LIS 759 Digital Libraries

Complete six semester hours from the following courses:

  • LIS 732 Introduction to Critical Race information Theory (CRiT)
  • LIS 737 Library and Data Management Systems
  • LIS 750 Information Storage and Retrieval
  • LIS 751 Database Management
  • LIS 762 Critical Race information Theory (CRiT): Power of the Capture Moment
  • LIS 768 Social Media and Emerging Technologies
  • LIS 786 Advanced Web Design
  • LIS 799 Practicum
  • LIS 801 Independent Study in Library and Information Science
  • LIS 805 Special Topics
  • LIS 889 Digital Curation

View course descriptions.

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