KC7025 - The library professional: management, leadership and outreach

You will learn on campus through a series of workshops, which will deliver theory and enable you to explore the theory and concepts further through practical exercises, role play and seminar discussion. Engagement with external information and library professionals will help to enhance your learning, and contextualise the theory studied. 4 weeks work experience will enable you to experience work within a library/information environment, and understand further the complexities of modern library provision.

If you are learning at a distance, you will learn using online learning materials, in addition to discussion boards and online activities. This is facilitated by our University eLearning Portal which has been successfully delivering distance learning provision for a number of years. It is expected that you will draw heavily on your own working experience to contextualise the theory learnt.

Support will include feedback from tutors during small-group seminars and tutorials. In addition tutors will respond to questions via the module’s discussion board at the University’s eLearning Portal so that the whole group can benefit. We also offer an open-door policy, so that you can come and see us to discuss module questions on a one-to-one or small group basis face-to-face as and when the need arises. If you are learning at a distance, tutors can make use of the eLearning portal web conferencing software to talk to you face-to-face, in addition to simpler technology such as telephone calls.

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. The reading list for this module can be found at: http://readinglists.northumbria.ac.uk
(Reading List service online guide for academic staff this containing contact details for the Reading List team – http://library.northumbria.ac.uk/readinglists)

Knowledge & Understanding:
1. You will be expected to critically evaluate management practice in a variety of information contexts
2. You will explore and evaluate relationships between organisation structures, functions and goals

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
3. You will select and evaluate appropriate applications of management principles and procedures for the solution of a range of issues
4. You will consider a range of leadership and outreach skills

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
5. You will demonstrate the ability to apply your knowledge and skills to practical situations and problems.

The final assessment will be an evaluative report of 3,000 (100%) which enables you to apply the theory and concepts learnt to an actual organisation, where you have experience of working. (MLO; 1-5)

Throughout the module you will be assessed formatively on your understanding of a variety of managerial concepts and make use of the eLearning portal discussion boards to investigate how such concepts apply to the workplace.

Feedback formatively will be delivered during workshops, summative feedback will be provided in written form.

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This module will help equip you with the knowledge and skills you need to become a successful leader in the modern library and information world. Using specially developed online learning materials, directed learning and individual research you will gain an understanding of the wider information and library environment, together with the strategic and managerial theory operating within this environment. A range of practical skills, such as leadership, outreach and decision making will be practiced and refined. The module contributes to the course-wide learning outcome of developing your understanding of principles and practice of library management, including leadership and outreach. You will be assessed using a 3000 word report (100% of assessment) which will consider and critically evaluate a range of management practices, in addition to the wider organisation context.