LTA 2600 - The Library Practicum

College of DuPage

Students entering the library. Computers for library patrons. The reference desk. Periodicals. Rows of journals.

LTA 2600: The Library Practicum
Upon completion of all eight Library and Information Technology courses, the student is ready to begin actual work in a library. This is called “The Library Practicum.” The Practicum involves working 75 hours in a library over the course of one semester. Students experience all areas of the library and work under the direction and supervision of a professional librarian. Students gain hands-on practice performing tasks that library technicians normally do.

Prerequisites:
Library and Information Technology 1101, 1102, 1103, 1104, 1820, 2100, 2200 and 2300 with a grade of “C” or better, or consent of instructor (2 lecture hours, 4 lab hours)

In this class, we will:

Work in a library for 75 hours during an unpaid field study
Create a professional online portfolio
Write professional philosophies
Create goals, skills sets, and work samples
Search for library jobs using the Internet
Create a resume and cover letter
Communicate with staff at the host library
Submit the portfolio for critique and dialogue with a professional librarian
And much more.

Course Expectations

LTA 2600 Online is an interactive course that includes discussions, required readings, assignments, and projects. This is not an independent self-paced course, but has deadlines for assignments and projects.
Students likely to succeed in this course tend to be highly responsible, self-motivated, and self-disciplined and able to work independently and in groups. Students should be capable of completing the assignments even when the instructor is not there to remind them of the due dates.

Please refer to the Online College section on Computer and Internet experience and Succeeding in Internet Courses to help determine if online courses are right for you.

For more information about the Library Technology Program at College of DuPage, refer to our web site.