LIS 502 - Tracking a Current Topic 

310 / 312 Main Library

217-333-3804

For LEEP: 800-252-1360 ext.33804

Sue Searing, Librarian

Sandy Wolf, Library Operations Associate

245 LISB (next to IT Help Desk)

Monday:  7:00 - 9:00 PM

Tuesday:  2:30 - 5:00 PM

Wednesday:   10:00 AM - Noon

Thursday: 2:30 - 5:00 PM

Friday: 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM

Or by appointment

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Purpose:

The Policy Tracking Paper provides an opportunity to consider a current LIS issue and dig into some library resources while thinking about how you present information in a succinct and useful manner. This is a very practical assignment requiring research skills and the abilities to analyze and synthesize, set limits and establish priorities, and advise on information strategies.

Assignment:

Your boss has said to you, "I have been told I really should pay attention to policy issues related to . I need you to brief me on this and tell me how I can stay on top of it."  Your boss is not a patient person. You know s/he won't spend more than 10 or 20 minutes every once in awhile following up on this topic. You also know you will have to "push" the information to him/her: your boss won't go out and seek it on a regular basis.

Your policy tracking paper will include (1) a background statement including a description of your chosen issue/topic--what is it--what is it about --and why should anyone care; (2) an annotated list (or explanatory paragraphs) of the key resources to which your boss should pay attention, including, if appropriate, information about how your boss should subscribe or make sure she'll get the information on a regular basis; and (3) a bibliography of references you consulted in order to prepare this paper. Please note that the information sources you consulted to provide background information on the issue are not necessarily the same sources your boss will consult to keep up.

Please preface your policy tracking paper with a very brief description of the person you are writing for, your boss, no more than a brief paragraph. This information sets the context for your policy tracking paper and helps the reader put him/herself in the position of your boss.

The bibliography may use any style manual; but you must be consistent. Please reference sources of the information you provide in your background statement.

Because your boss really likes short, well-written briefings you are limited to six (6) pages including your bibliography. Please use 1 inch margins and 12 point type. Remember to write for an intelligent boss with a limited attention span.  Your boss (and your TA) will stop reading after page six so there is no point in going beyond the limits set for this assignment.

On Saturday afternoon, the library staff will provide an Optional Library Session on Policy Tracking Paper Resources from 4-5 & 5-6. Do consider attending this useful orientation. The Library staff have also posted a resource guide on the course Moodle and they will be available for consultation throughout the course. There is also a Policy Tracking Paper Collaboratory Forum on the course Moodle where you can assist each other in this assignment.

Topics from which to choose:

1. Google books project
2. The status and future of LIS education
3. The changing role of the chief information officer (CIO)
4. Outsourcing library services

 

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  See the tabs at the top of this page for websites relevant to these topics, hints on finding background information, strategies for staying current, and guidance on citing sources.