The Library Science program at UW-Superior educates students to be leaders in information services and the use of information technology. UW-Superior develops competent, confident, and creative professionals who enjoy the information field and can instill this value in others. More specifically, the program:
Courses in the Library Science curriculum will satisfy requirements for the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) Initial Instructional Library Media Specialist License (901), the DPI Instructional Library Media Specialist License (902), and the Minnesota Media Generalist License. The 901 license and Minnesota Media Generalist license require the successful completion of 24 semester hours of coursework, a professional experience, and completion of an approved teacher preparation program. The DPI 902 license requires completion of 15 hours of coursework beyond the baccalaureate degree, or completion of a Master's Degree from an approved program. Licensed teachers may earn a Master of Science in Education-Instruction at the same time they complete requirements for their 902 licensure by completing 15 hours of coursework in the Teacher Education Department, and 15 hours in the Library Science Program. UW-Superior is one of the home campuses for the University of Wisconsin System School Library Education Consortium (UWSSLEC). This program offers courses at the graduate level for the 901 and 902 that are primarily web-based.
While the emphasis of the Library Science program is on preparing students for beginning positions in school library media centers, competencies developed through successful completion of the program will:
No. In general, if you are prepared to go to college you are prepared to study Library Science.
The 2006-2007 Occupational Outlook Handbook, published by the U.S. Department of Labor, suggests that most job opportunities in the library field will result from replacement needs. However, they also report areas of librarian shortages and that openings outside traditional library settings are expected to grow, particularly in areas requiring a background in information science and library automation, and in rural areas.
In Wisconsin and Minnesota, there have been recent shortages of school library media specialists.
How can I find out more about work in this professional field?
Here are some examples of professional organizations in the library/media field:
The courses you will take provide you with practical and theoretical knowledge and understanding of the field of librarianship. You will be asked to take a number of required courses but an array of elective courses are also offered to provide you with a balance in the curriculum.
The latest edition of the University of Wisconsin - Superior Catalog will provide you with a list and description of the required and elective courses available in the Library Science Program. All required courses are offered, on a rotation basis, during the evening and in summer school. Some courses are also available through interactive distance education.
The latest UW-Superior class schedule will list the courses being offered for a particular semester, the times that the courses meet, and the instructors.
The faculty of the Library Science Program are primarily practicing librarians and media specialists, though faculty in other disciplines also teach some cross-listed and elective courses. The library faculty are:
If you'd like additional information about the Library Science Program, please write or call:
Deb Nordgren
Chair, Department of Library Science
Jim Dan Hill Library
University of Wisconsin-Superior
Belknap & Catlin, Box 2000
Superior, WI 54880
(715) 394-8512
You may also contact the Library Science Department using the online form.
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University of Wisconsin-Superior is an equal opportunity educator and employer
