Course Description

Corporate Library and Information Center (CLIC) Management

SIRLS 564-001 (3 credits)

The course is oriented toward students who would like to pursue careers in a corporate setting, but will be useful to those who might practice in a non-profit environment. It is assumed that students have already completed the SIRLS core courses and have refined general research skills.

We will be meeting in person and communicating electronically via a course wiki.

Course Objectives

After taking this course, students will:

Realize how CLICs operate and are expected to operate, including competencies for professionals, marketing strategies, and administration.

Understand the unique history of CLICs, how they have evolved and where the profession is headed.

Comprehend the business environment and financial atmosphere in which CLICs are funded, and their special role within the corporate structure.

Understand the information needs, use and expectations of U.S. businesses and how they differ from traditional library users.

Be able to conduct research typically expected of CLIC information professionals, e.g. find industry-specific data, information, knowledge, trends, and competitive intelligence.

Be aware of current and upcoming career opportunities in CLICs.

Concepts Covered

This course will cover the following concepts, issues and questions:

• Trends affecting U.S. businesses’ information needs and use (including key economic indicators)

• History of CLIC in U.S. business/industry

• How are CLICs evolving today?

• What have been the traditional roles of CLICs?

• What are the emerging roles for CLICs?

• What are CLIC competencies?

• How do CLICs show value?

• Where are the opportunities for CLICs of the future?

• Communicating the CLIC Message

• Environmental Scanning & Competitive Intelligence

• Management Theories/Decision-Making Processes

• Strategic Planning/Business Planning

Course Logistics

The course will begin before we actually have our week of face-to-face meetings, Sunday, July 2-Saturday, July 8 (No class on July 4). Attendance is required at all sessions.

There will be substantial pre-work in the form of readings and research. Then, we will meet and students will be required to make various presentations during class. After our week is over, students will be required to submit either a research project on a topic approved by the instructor or an essay question final exam that will draw upon the readings, class discussion and presentations.

Each student will create a page on the wiki and submit his or her assignments on that page. Please make your student page on the Student Pages section of the wiki.

Students will communicate electronically with the professor and each other via the course wiki.

Students can contact the professor by email at rsha at loc dot gov.