How MLIS programs prepare students to serve diverse populations

Ren, Xiaoai; Alemanne, Nicole; Colson, Lenese

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/110934 Copy

Description

Title

How MLIS programs prepare students to serve diverse populations

Author(s)

• Ren, Xiaoai
• Alemanne, Nicole
• Colson, Lenese

Issue Date

2021-09-20

Keyword(s)

• Diverse populations
• Syllabi
• LIS education
• Descriptive statistics
• Content analysis

Abstract

According to the American Library Association (ALA), organizational sustainability requires social equity. Preparation to serve diverse and marginalized populations is a key ingredient to creating the type of resilient leaders needed to promote and sustain systematic and lasting changes in LIS. This study analyzes courses that prepare students in ALA-accredited Master of Library and Information Studies (MLIS) programs to serve diverse populations. All programs’ websites were examined to identify relevant courses and 28 syllabi were analyzed for the study. The authors employed descriptive statistics and content analysis to describe course offerings and identify themes emerging from the syllabi. Overall, the study found that course rotations vary considerably across programs and more than half of the codes emerging from the content analysis focus on access, equity, and diversity and professionalism in LIS. The findings from this study add to previous research on MLIS curricula on diversity.

Series/Report Name or Number

• Specific populations
• Curriculum
• education programs/schools.

Type of Resource

Text

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http://hdl.handle.net/2142/110934

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