Catalog Course Description
Relates basic theories and concepts about information behavior to contemporary provision of information services. Focuses on the conceptual structures of LIS: user communities, factors affecting use of information services and trends in supporting information services. Develops practical skills in meeting users’ information needs, such as answering virtual reference questions and creating online resources.

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites
None.

Curriculum Role
Required course for the MS(LIS).  It should be taken early in the program as it is a pre-requisite to a large number of master’s courses. Complements INFO 522 Information Users & Services. Recommend to be taken prior to INFO 522 Information Access & Resources.

Course Rationale
This course covers basic theories and concepts relating to the information behavior of users, the role of information professionals, and the services that link these two groups. It also teaches pragmatic skills for delivery of effective contemporary information service.

Course Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, a student will be able to:
•Assess and answer reference questions with widely used reference resources
•Create online resources, such as a wiki page or a blog, to support information services
•Compare and contrast classic and contemporary theories of information behavior
•Identify social and psychological factors affecting use or non-use of information services
•Evaluate the provision of information services in virtual and in-person settings

Course Content
Principal topics and the approximate number of weeks devoted to each are:
•Fundamentals of reference and information work (2)
•User communities, the publication process, and subject literatures (1)
•Basic theories and current trends in the study of information behavior (2)
•Online resources to support contemporary information services (2)
•Social and psychological factors in information behavior (2)
•Assessment of reference transactions in various modes of delivery (1)

Presentation
Lectures, class discussions, and class demonstrations. Assignments include assessing reference services, answering virtual reference questions, and creating simple online resources.

Assessment
Grades will be based on the products from class assignments, a final project and participation in class discussions.