Information for new students spring 2012

Welcome to the Master’s programme LIS: Digital Libraries and Information Services

Dear student,

You have applied to the Master’s study programme in Library and Information Science: Digital Libraries and Information Services and have received the notification of admission to the programme. We welcome you corially to our programme.

We hope that you will enjoy our courses and communication with the teachers, as well as with your fellow students around the world. Digital libraries and information services have become a landmark of the modern society. Many organizations that develop digital resources and services require new competence of meeting users, strategic thinking and managing, designing and promoting them [or – new technical competencies and new skills in strategic thinking, managing, designing and promoting digital libraries and new ways of serving information users]. You will have an opportunity to acquire key knowledge and skills of investigating, building, running, evaluating and putting to the effective use different types of digital libraries.

The programme includes courses that help to understand the role and functions of digital services and libraries in society, their usefulness for individuals, professional tasks and processes that librarians have to manage, technological background, managerial issues and research directions within this developing area of library and information science.

The Swedish School of Library and Information Science has strong contacts with the professional and research community in Sweden, in the rest of Europe and around the world. The students applying to this programme also come from many countries. As a participant in the programme you will meet them online and in physical space, exchange experience and knowledge, build your own international network of professional contacts.

We also would like you to think carefully before you accept the placement on our programme. You will study online and half-time (the full-time, two year programme takes four years to complete). Distance studies require much will power and discipline and it will not be easy to follow. Some of the courses are technology- and mathematics-oriented, which is unusual in LIS studies. If you have a demanding job and a family, you should think carefully of the aims that you want to pursue and to assess them in the light of the difficulties related to the studies. If you foresee obstacles to success, please do not register to the programme, and your place will be offered to another person.

On the other hand, the studies are flexible. If you manage your time accordingly and have a wish, you may speed up the studies by taking courses offered in parallel during the respective terms. Thus, you can finish your studies in shorter time.

You should also have access to a new computer and internet connection that enables you to access multimedia, video and audio files. You will be required to buy some software and teaching materials. The university will provide you with lecture and seminar materials on the e-learning platform PING PONG and you will be able to use other resources through the Library of the University of Borås.

The students are required to attend one of the residential periods in Borås per year (you are most welcome to attend both, but one is obligatory). The first residential period is planned for February 13-17, 2012 (for the course Users and information activities in digital environments) and the next one for the September of 2012. You may choose the period that is more convenient or more useful for you.

The Master’s programme starts on the 16th of January 2012 with the course in Users and information activities in digital environments. You will receive the login information as soon as you accept the placement in the programme.

You may find additional information about programme and practical information on our website 
http://www.hb.se/bhs/digitallibrary. Practical information related to the programme is gathered under the heading Admitted students.

The Users and information activities in digital environments course leader is Ola Pilerot (e-mail: ola.pilerot@hb.se). You may contact him for information regarding this particular course. We hope to meet you online on January 16 and wish you all the best in your studies.

Programme supervisor                                                                     
Elena Maceviciute

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Link to the first course in the program, here you will find the literature list

Log in to PING PONG as soon as you have registered