The Graduate Academic Certificate in Rural Library Management provides the student with advanced knowledge of concepts, theories and techniques in rural librarianship, skills to build collaboration among libraries and community units they serve, the development and use of online information services, as well as the planning, acquisition, development and installation of computer-based systems.

Students will develop knowledge of resources available to support and assist staff and managers working in small and rural libraries. They will learn how to: conduct outreach and marketing in a community-centered library; do online searches, client interviews, develop, promote and evaluate online services, and to plan and manage product and service procurement.

The Graduate Academic Certificate program is intended for two audiences:

 Library and Information Science Professionals: Master's degree library and information science professionals who want to develop expertise in management in rural and small libraries by taking additional graduate level courses to receive an academic credential.

Other Professionals: Bachelor's or Master's degree individuals who want to develop or enhance their knowledge of management in rural and small libraries to receive an academic credential.
 

Who needs this Certificate?

  • Potential librarians who foresee being in a management position in a small or rural library.
  • Practicing librarians who foresee being in a management position in a small or rural library.
     

Why is this Certificate so valuable? 

  • There is an impending wave of library director and/or manager retirements in small and rural libraries that will create thousands of open positions.
  • Few existing programs are aimed at preparing practitioners to move into management positions in small or rural libraries.
     

Prerequisites

No particular prerequisites for this GAC. However, courses listed under the GAC may have prerequisites that need to be satisfied. Students should consult the instructors prior to taking the individual courses.
 

Course Requirements:

Students who are interested in earning a graduate academic certificate in rural library management must take the following four courses (12 hours). These four courses must be successfully completed within a four-year time frame. 

INFO 5325 - Topics in Rural Libraries. 3 hours. Covers topics on concepts, theories and techniques in rural librarianship; resources available to support and assist staff and managers working in small and rural libraries; as well as real-world problems and advanced topics of rural public libraries.Prerequisite(s): None. 

INFO 5350 - Library Partnership and Community Outreach. 3 hours. Covers basic skills to build collaboration among libraries and community units they serve; designed for students interested in outreach, marketing and community-centered library practice. Prerequisite(s): None. 

INFO 5615 - Electronic Databases and Information Services. 3 hours. Development and use of online information services. Study of available databases in different fields. Conducting online searches; client interviews; developing, promoting and evaluating online services; current trends. Supervised practical experience. 

INFO 5750 - Managing Library Automation Projects. 3 hours. Planning, acquisition, development and installation of computer-based systems in libraries of all types and sizes, oriented around activities necessary for effective library automation projects. Project planning; project approval and start-up; and planning and management of product and service procurement, development of system components, and system installation and maintenance. Prerequisite(s): None. 
 

Admission Procedures

 Students must be admitted to the University of North Texas Toulouse Graduate School and are required to submit the following application materials: 

  • Toulouse Graduate School application for admission
  • Department of Information Science application for admission
  • Required transcripts

Graduate academic certificate applicants do not need to submit standardized test scores such as the Graduate Record Exam (GRE), letters of recommendation, statement of purpose, etc., for admission.
 

Once You Are Admitted

Once admitted, you will be assigned an advisor who will assist you in getting enrolled for classes and beginning the Graduate Academic Certificate Program.

 Note: If you are a current IS Master's student and you are applying for a GAC, please complete the Application for Concurrent Graduate Academic Certificate Programs (EUID and UNT password login required) so that your academic certificate program will show up on your transcript. If you do not complete the form before your graduating semester, the Toulouse Graduate School will not accept your request for the certificate.
 

Academic Certificate Completion Form and Request to Receive Your Certificate

Once you complete your course work, please submit the Request for Graduate Academic Certificate of Completion form to receive your certificate.


Contact Information:  

Title Contact E-mail
Coordinator Dr. Yunfei Du Yunfei.Du@unt.edu
Asst. Dir., Student Support Services Rachel Hall Ci-advising@unt.edu
Interim Department Chair Dr. Yunfei Du LIS-Chair@unt.edu
 

 

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