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Library Science

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
DEPARTMENT OF LIBRARY SCIENCE

Graduate Students: For additional information visit the Lib Sci Wiki: http://shsulibsci.pbworks.com/

Accreditation

• The Library Science program is accredited by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) and recognized by the American Association for School Librarians (AASL), a division of the American Library Association (ALA).
• For more information, visit NCATE or AASL

Advising: Who to Contact and How

• When contacting your advisor, please provide the following information:
  1. Your official SHSU name
  2. Your SAM ID #
  3. Clearly state how you would like your graduate advisor to help you.

• The graduate advisors for the Library Science Department are:
  • Rebecca Lewis  rjl006@shsu.edu
  • Dr. Holly Weimar  haw001@shsu.edu
  • Dr. Mary Ann Bell   lis_mah@shsu.edu

Applying for Admission to the Library Science Program

• At the SHSU web site click on Graduate Studies, Prospective Students, and Graduate Status.

Certification

• Go to Programs on the navigation bar for information.

 

• Complete applications for Library Science and for Graduate Studies.

Communication

• As a distance education student, what are the best ways to keep current on information about the library science program and about my courses?
  • Use  LIB_SCI (see directions below)
  • Visit the Department’s home page at http://www.shsu.edu/~lis_www/
  • Visit the Department’s wiki at http://shsulibsci.pbwiki.com

• What is LIB_SCI and why should I join it?
• LIB_SCI is an Internet discussion group for Sam Houston State University, Department of Library Science students, faculty, and alumni. It is THE source of announcements, reminders, information, and communication for all who are part of our SHSU Library Science program family. This is a moderated group. That means no one can join without approval, and all messages must be approved by the sysop (systems operator) before they appear. This group is a part of Yahoo Groups.

• Who is the contact person for LIB_SCI?
  • Dr. Mary Ann Bell, the systems operator (sysop) for the group.

   

• Instructions for joining, and other information about this group, can be found at our department wiki at http://tinyurl.com/yu2dlr

Learning Management System: Blackboard

Department Contacts

• Who is the best person to contact about:

• Who is the secretary and how can I contact her?
  • Rebecca Lewis
  • Phone: 936-294-1151
  • E-mail: rjl@shsu.edu

   

• Who is the Chair of the Department of Library Science and how can I contact her?
  • Dr. Holly Weimar is acting chairperson for the department.
  • Phone: 936-294-1150
  • E-mail: haw001@shsu.edu

• What are the Department’s office hours?

• Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Electives

• The conference class is offered in the fall. Independent studies (LSSL 5375) are allowed each semester. LSSL 5361 is offered during the summer. Other electives will be offered on an occasional basis and as demand dictates.

Financial Aid

• As a graduate applicant or graduate student, may I apply for financial aid?
  • Yes. For more information, visit http://www.shsu.edu/~fao_www/ 
  • The Financial Aid & Scholarship website (link above) will provide you with information about cost of attendance, the link for ScholarX where you apply for scholarships, and more.

     

Internship

• You must complete the prerequisites for internship the semester prior to beginning your internship course. The prerequisites are 5330, 5332, 5334, 5337, 5360, 5370, and 5385.

 

• If you are working on towards your master's and have been a librarian for one year in a school, you may choose to waive the LSSL 5366 requirement, but you must take a 3-hour elective in its place.  In other words, you choose between a modified internship based in your library or choosing an elective.
• If you already have a master's degree and are working for certification, you may choose to waive the LSSL 5366 requirement. Contact Rebecca Lewis at rjl006@shsu.edu for more information on how to proceed.

 

• Go to the link at this site for Internship.
• Read the Internship Handbook found there.
• Complete ALL of the paperwork required for the application.
• Submit the application to Dr. Weimar as required.  
• Approval will be made when application is complete and prerequisites have been met.

Library Science Student Association (LSSA)

• What is the Library Science Students Association (LSSA)?
  • The LSSA, a library school chapter of the Texas Library Association, includes all students enrolled in SHSU Department of Library Science graduate-level courses.  Its purpose is 1) to provide a channel for academic professional, and social interaction among students in the department, and 2) to provide a channel for communication between the students and the department as a whole. Officers—who are elected annually at the beginning of the Fall Semester by e-mail ballot—include a President, Vice President, Secretary-Treasurer, and regional coordinators. The By-Laws include provisions for a Grievance Committee, Representation Committee, Services and Social Committee, and Outreach Committee.
  • Contact Dr. Karin Perry at kperry@shsu.edu

LIB_SCI - Yahoo! Listserv Group

• What is LIB_SCI? Why am I required to join?
  • It is vital to be a member of the LIB_SCI listserv. This is how professors communicate with current students and alumni.
  • In addition, alumni (school librarians) use the listserv to communicate with each other providing valuable information on an as needed basis.
  • Most importantly, the department chair sends out important information through this listserv that usually pertains to actions that should be completed in a timely manner.
  • Contact Dr. Mary Ann Bell at lis_mah@shsu.edu

Lib Sci Wiki

• What is the Lib Sci Wiki?
  • The Lib Sci Wiki is the Library Science department's wiki that is maintained by students and professors to provide information about the library science program.

Online MLS

• Does the Department of Library Science offer a Master of Library Science completely online? 
  • Yes!

Portfolio (For additional information, see Portfolio Information Page)

• Why must I complete a Portfolio instead of a comprehensive examination?
  • Portfolio is a competency, in lieu of comprehensive examination, that must be completed in order to meet the requirements for the Master of Library Science degree.
• When do I complete my Portfolio? Is it a course I have to take?
  • Graduate students complete their Portfolios in their last semester of courses; i.e., the semester they expect to graduate.
  • Portfolio is not a course; it is a competency. However, students must be enrolled in a course(s) when they are completing their Portfolio.
  • LS graduate students must be enrolled in a course during the semester that they satisfactorily complete the Portfolio.

Prerequisites to courses

• Prerequisites are listed in the online catalog.

 

• No, a prerequisite must be completed before enrolling in the course requiring it.

Programs

• What is the difference between certification and the MLS?
  • Certification requires 24 hours in library science and does not require you to take the GRE; the MLS requires 36 hours in library science plus a Portfolio. See links on LS home page for more details.

   

• How do I obtain certification once I am done with the program?
  • When you have completed the hours necessary for Library Certification and want it attached   to your teaching certificate, you will need to do the following:
    • Go to SBEC’s web site at www.sbec.state.tx.us.  Then go to SBEC online and to Applicants/Educators [at the bottom of the page].   Clicking on Applicants/Educators will take you to a secure site.  Follow the directions to locate an application.
    • Print an application, complete the information needed, and send it to SBEC.  As soon as SBEC receives it, they will forward a form to our Certification Officer to verify you have completed the program.  After these steps are completed, you will receive an e-mail in about three days stating that you can go online and retrieve a virtual copy of your certificate.  (Note:  This process is subject to change.

Registration

• How do I register for courses?
  • For information about registration dates go to Registrar’s Office on the SHSU home page.  Click on the registration link and follow directions provided.

Reinstatement into Library Science Program

• If I have to miss a Fall or Spring semester, how am I reinstated into the program?
  • Even if you miss one semester (summers are not included), you must apply for reinstatement into the LS program. There is no charge for this. Go to the Graduate Studies and fill out the form.

Resources

• If I can’t locate books and articles in my own community, how can the Newton Gresham Library help me?
  • The library has extensive interlibrary loan services for distance students, including mailing books and providing articles electronically.  Choose the library site on the SHSU home page and then select Graduate Student Resources, and apply for Distance Education Services.

TExES

• What are TExES Pretest Sessions and do I need to attend one?
  • Yes, all students seeking Texas certification as a school librarian must attend at least one of the department's TExES Pretest Sessions.
  • For more information about the test, go to http://www.texes.ets.org/texes/ 
  • The TExES Pretest Sessions consist of a pretest to help you prepare for the actual test.
  • LS graduate students should come to a TExES Pretest session prepared to take the pretest to find out if they are ready for the actual sitting of the TExES School Librarian Certification Examination.
  • If a graduate student does not pass the pretest, the student should inquire about where he or she should focus to better prepare for the TExES.
  • Information concerning when and where TExES Pretest Sessions will be held is sent out using the LIB_SCI listserv.
  • Contact Rebecca Lewis rjl006@shsu.edu or 936-294-1151.

• To help you prepare for the TExES test and the TExES Prep Sessions, here are some sources that you might find beneficial:
• Preparation Manual: 150 School Librarian http://texes.ets.org/assets/pdf/testprep_manuals/150_schoollib_55068_web.pdf
• TExES study guide, flash cards, and more: http://www.testprepreview.com/texes_practice.htm
• Student recommended site:

http://www.texeslibrarian.com/ (This site has been recommended because it is similar in what students may expect of a computerized test, and because explanations are offered on the review pages for every question on the practice test. Access does cost, but there is one free trial test you may take.)

TK20

• TK20 is a data-management program that allows SHSU’s College of Education to conduct systematic teaching and assessments for all students in the college. 

 

• Go to https://tk20.shsu.edu for further directions.

Transferring Courses

• Yes, you may transfer up to 9 hours into the program, but each course must be approved by the professor who is currently teaching the course.  You will need to submit a syllabus to that professor.

 

• Once you have a professor’s approval, the Chair of the Department will initiate the transfer.