LBSC 670 – Organization of Information

Course Schedule – Fall 2012, UMD

Erik Mitchell

Course Information

Course Prefix and Number: LBSC 670

Course Title: Organization of Information

Credits: 3

Class Meetings:

Time:Section 101 (Online) - 12:01 am Tuesdays to 11:59pm Monday

Section 201 (In person) Tuesday 2:00 – 4:45pm

LocationSection 101 (Online) – Online

Section 201 (In Person) – JM Peterson Room 1109

Class WebsiteBoth sections share one Blackboard course shell http://elms.umd.edu

Electronic support

Blackboard

This class will make use of the UMD Blackboard system for course information distribution and assignment submission. The course is located at http://blackboard.umd.edu

Course Listserv

You have been subscribed to the course listserv. This list will be used for course information and may be used to post questions, observations, and discuss issues.

To send messages to the class list use the information in the listserv welcome message that you receive.

Virtual Computing Lab

Both sections of the course have access to a virtual computing lab that runs all of the software that we will work with this semester. Instructions for accessing and using the VCL are in the blackboard course shell

Instructor Information:

Erik Mitchell

Assistant Professor

College of Information Studies

University of Maryland College Park

Contact Information:

Email: - email preferred

Office Hours:

Tuesday 12:00pm – 2pm Tuesday (Hornbake 4121, ELMS > Collaboration > Office Hours)

Online by appointment and or general request

By appointment over email, phone, or other means as necessary

Course Description:

Organizing Information (LBSC 670) explores the issues surrounding the creation, distribution and use of information objects and representations of those objects. In this course, we will explore both the theoretical and technical issues surrounding information organization. Our exploration of theoretical issues will center on understanding organization structures, uses and implications for information systems.

Our exploration of the technical issues surrounding information organization will delve into the fields of information and computer science and will involve work with a wide range of information technology systems. During this process we will learn about representation of information using metadata schemas, encoding of these structures using XML and database technologies and storage, discovery and presentation of these records using server-class information storage and retrieval systems.

Because the realm of information with which we are concerned is largely represented on the web we will also explore what theoretical and technical issues arise when we discuss the use of information organization structures in digital library systems.

Course Objectives and Outcomes:

To be familiar with the concepts, issues and methods related to organization and management of physical and digital information

To become familiar with the representation and classification of information through cataloging, metadata creation, indexing and organization.

To understand the role of information structures and objects in information systems.

To develop skills for analyzing and processing structured data

To develop skills in systems analysis for existing and planned information systems.

To create new information structures and services using IO theoretical knowledge and practical skills

Teaching Strategies:

Class lecture, hands-on activities, technical learning, readings, self-directed exploration, and discussion

Individual and group in class work and outside of class assignments

Reflective writing, quizzes, system design and implementation tasks, exams

Grading scale

Graduate: A+ 100-97%, A 96-90%, B+ 89-85%, B 84-80%, C 79-70%, D < 69%

Attendance Policy:

Attendance, preparation for and participation in this class are expected and highly valued by the instructor and your peers. Students need to arrive on time, attend each class and participate actively. While attendance in class is required, I realize that an absence may be necessary. Please contact me by email or leave a message when you know you are going to be absent. If you must miss class, coordinate with a class colleague to review the session and collect handouts and get with me if needed.

Academic Integrity Policy

Students are expected to follow the obligations of academic integrity described in the UMD Code of Academic Integrity. Students should make themselves familiar with this document and realize that they will be held accountable for understanding and following thee guidelines for all activities and assignments. However, collaboration, discussion, and seeking assistance from students is encouraged and is not inconsistent with the Code of Academic Integrity.

Syllabus Status

This syllabus will contain up-to-date information throughout the semester. When modified I will try to notify you. It is your responsibility however to make sure that your preparation each week is based on the current syllabus and course website information.

Course Location

This syllabus covers both sections of LBSC 670 in the Fall 2012 semester. While the two courses cover the same content and schedule, the timing for each class will be slightly different. The online class has no mandatory in-person meetings. The in-person class will meet on the main UM campus.

Course materials can be accessed via the Blackboard site at
http://blackboard.umd.edu

Required Text:

There is no required text for this class. We will be reading articles and chapters from library and information science literature and will be completing worksheets for each class. Readings are accessible through this syllabus.

Terminology

This class involves quite a bit of new vocabulary and technical terminology. In every important case, new terms and acronyms will be defined and explained. In your readings you may find some new terms however. The following terminology guides can be good sources for LIS specific vocabulary:

Assignment guidelines:

Assignments are due on the following schedule

Activity / Points
Quiz 1 (Week 2) / 5
Quiz 2 (Week 4) / 5
Quiz 3 (Week 5) / 5
Cumulative Test 1 (Week 7) / 20
Quiz 4 (Week 9) / 5
Quiz 5 (Week 11) / 5
Quiz 6 (Week 12) / 5
Cumulative Test 2 (Week 14) / 20
Course Participation (Ongoing) / 15
Digital Library project / 20
Total / 105

Assignments must be completed using Blackboard. All quizzes and tests will be completed on the Blackboard platform. If you have difficulty using blackboard see the tutorial at https://elms.umd.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab_id=_300_1

Assignments must be turned in on time.

Quizzes and exams not completed on time (e.g. in class for in-person sections or by end of week for online sections) will not continue to be available and may not be completed after the due date.

Other assignments turned in late without prior approval will be docked the equivalent of one letter grade (e.g. a B instead of an A). If you are unable to turn the assignment in by the due date, contact me prior to the due date to arrange an alternative due date to ensure full credit.

Please see me privately or email me if you have an emergency.

Blackboard and the UMD email system will be used to provide up-to-date class information. This syllabus largely reflect course content but may shift during the semester to accommodate changes in need. Please check your email weekly for class information. Blackboard has links to course information and documents that may be useful.

PLEASE NOTE: Students who have any special need which might affect their academic performance in this class, are encouraged to seek assistance from the instructor at the beginning of the semester or as soon as possible after an initial diagnosis. This class will follow the guidelines set out in the faculty teaching handbook (http://www.faculty.umd.edu/teach/TeachingPolicies1112.pdf). If you have a disability that qualifies under the American with Disabilities Act and requires special accommodations, you should contact the office of Disability Services (). Documentation of the disability must be on file. Specific accommodations will be determined on an individual basis.

Course Schedule and readings

Class 1.Introduction to information structures and lifecycles (Sept 04)

Class 2.Introduction to digital document models and information seeking (Sept 11)

Quiz 1 (Covers Class 1) Due by 11:59pm September 17th

Class 3.Design of Information Systems (Sept 18)

Class 4.Exploration of cataloging models and methods (Sept 25)

Quiz 2 (Covers Class 2, 3) Due by 11:59pm Oct 1st

Class 5.Metadata standards, contents and values. (Oct 2) (Online)

Quiz 3 (Covers class 4) Due by 11:59pm Oct 9th

Class 6.Metadata encoding in XML. (Oct 9)

Guest speaker Michael Witt, DataBib (Virtual)

Class 7.Information services in digital libraries (Oct 16)

Guest speaker Camille Salas (UMD student and Library of Congress Intern on ViewShare project)

Cumulative test 1 (Covers weeks 1-6) Due by 11:59pm Oct 22nd.

Class 8.Metadata encoding in MARC (Oct 23)

Final project group formation and initial scope statement must be in wiki by class time (2pm) on Oct 23rd

Class 9.Metadata models revisited (Oct 30)

Guest speakers – Jennie Kneis, Thomas Whitaker (UM Digital Library) (In Person)

Quiz 4 (Covers class 7, 8) Due by 11:59pm Nov 5th

Class 10.Exploration of controlled vocabulary and classification structures (Nov 6) (Online)

Final project user profile statement due in class, must be entered into wiki by class time (2pm) on November 6th

Class 11.Case study in data and data linking (Nov 13)

Guest speakers – Jeremy York (HathiTrust) (Virtual)

Quiz 5 (Covers classes 9, 10) Due by 11:59pm November 19th

Class 12.Creation of Metadata services (Nov 20) (Online)

Quiz 6 (Covers class 11) Due by 11:59pm November 26th

Final project groups – outline of metadata selected for cataloging (schema definition) due on Nov 20th.

Class 13.Libraries and metadata services (Nov 27)

Guest speaker Jeffery Loo – UC Berkeley (In person)

Class 14.Bringing it together - Libraries and the future of information organization (Dec 4)

Cumulative Test 2 (Covers classes 7-14) Due by 11:59 December 10th

Class 15.Digital library presentations (Dec 11th)

Digital Library group presentations due in class on Dec 11th (In-Person) via recorded video

Assignment 1: Regular learning assessment (Weekly)

Assignment 2: Discussion participation (Weekly)

Assignment 3: Cumulative tests

Assignment 4: Capstone project - Digital Library Creation

Class 1. Introduction to information structures and lifecycles (Sept 04)

Class preparation activities

Review syllabus

Acquaint yourself with course technologies

Class activities

  • Review the syllabus, assignments
  • Complete worksheet
  • Watch course videos (Online):
  • Welcome video:
  • Course overview:
  • VCL registration intro:
  • Review of Worksheet 1:
  • Complete the introductory survey: Check ELMS week 1 for the link to the survey
  • Participate in discussion forum (Online only)
  • Complete week 1 feedback -

Class 2. Introduction to digital document models and information seeking (Sept 11)

Class preparation activities

Complete readings

Complete as needed – XHTML tutorial. If you have never worked with HTML, complete w3schools HTML tutorial -

Readings

  1. Read - “User-centered models of information retrieval.” Introduction to modern information retrieval. Pp 249-261. – Available via ELMS site
  2. M. K. Buckland. (1997). What is a document?48, 804-809. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com.proxy-um.researchport.umd.edu/doi/10.1002/(SICI)1097-4571(199709)48:9<804::AID-ASI5>3.0.CO;2-V/abstract
  3. Skim - Weinberger. (2007). Everything is miscellaneous: The power of the new digital disorder - linnaeus excerpt.
  4. Explore: DCC Curation Lifecycle Model. (2012).
  5. Explore: Records and Information Life Cycle Management.

Class activities

  • Complete worksheet
  • Watch course videos (Online):
  • Overview:
  • Intro to HTML:
  • Watch – Welch, Michael. Information R/evolution.
  • Participate in discussion forum (Online only)
  • Complete weekly feedback -

Assignments

Quiz 1 (Covers Class 1) Due by 11:59pm September 17th

Class 3. Design of Information Systems (Sept 18)

Class preparation activities

Complete readings

If completely new to CSS - Review CSS tutorial

Readings

  1. Condit Fagan, J., Mandernach, M., Nelson, C. S., Paulo, J. R., & Saunders, G. (2012). Usability Test Results for a Discovery Tool in an Academic Library. Information Technology & Libraries, 31(1), 83-112. http://ejournals.bc.edu/ojs/index.php/ital/article/view/1855
  2. Hartel, Jenna. (2011). “Information in the Hobby of Gourmet Cooking: Four Contexts”. Everyday Information. William Aspray and Barbara M. Hayes (eds.) MIT press – IN ELMS
  3. Roseviens. (2011). “Databases from scratch. “ Geek Girls: Plain english computing.

Class activities

  • Complete worksheet
  • Watch course videos (Online):
  • Overview:
  • Participate in discussion forum (Online only)
  • Complete weekly feedback -

Class 4. Exploration of cataloging models and methods (Sept 25)

Class preparation activities

Complete readings

Readings

  1. Elings, M. W., & Waibel, G. (2007). Metadata for all: Descriptive standards and metadata sharing across libraries, archives and museums. (J. Trant & D. Bearman, Eds.)First Monday, 12(3), 7–14. Retrieved from
  2. Read/skim sections 1-5: IFLA. (2009). Statement of International Cataloging Rules.
  3. Read p 1-12 Standards, C. on D. (2000). ISAD(G): General International Standard Archival Description. Stockholm: INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL ON ARCHIVES..
  4. Statement of Principles adopted by the International conference on cataloging principles. (1961).International conference on cataloging principles. Retrieved from
  5. SKIM - Boston College. (2012). Cataloging Fundamentals AACR2 Basics: Part 1. http://www.bc.edu/bc_org/avp/ulib/staff/cat/fundamentals/AACR2pt1.pdf

Class activities

  • Complete worksheet
  • Watch course videos (Online)
  • Overview:
  • Participate in discussion forum (Online only)
  • Complete weekly feedback -

Assignments

Quiz 2 (Covers Class 2, 3) Due by 11:59pm Oct 1st

Class 5. Metadata standards, contents and values. (Oct 2) (Online)

Class preparation activities

Complete readings

Readings

  1. Read section 0 of RDA - RDA Toolkit - Section 0, Introduction, 1–12. Retrieved from See TXT file from this week for login information
  2. Read / Skim to supplement RDA description. Tillett, Barbara. What is FRBR? http://www.loc.gov/cds/downloads/FRBR.PDF
  3. Read/skim – Understanding Metadata. NISO press.
  4. Skim – Gilliand, Anne J. (2012). Setting the Stage. http://www.getty.edu/research/publications/electronic_publications/intrometadata/setting.html
  5. OPTIONAL – Good resource for cataloging rules.

Class activities

  • Complete worksheet
  • Watch course videos (Online)
  • Overview:
  • Participate in discussion forum (Online only)
  • Complete weekly feedback -

Assignments

Quiz 3 (Covers class 4) Due by 11:59pm Oct 9th

Class 6. Metadata encoding in XML. (Oct 9)

Class preparation activities

Complete readings

Optional if you have felt lost with regards to technology so far in this class I would recommend spending some time with an XML tutorial –

Readings

  1. Young, D., & Madans, P. (2009). XML: Why Bother?. Publishing Research Quarterly, 25(3), 147-153. doi:10.1007/s12109-009-9120-4.
  2. Powell & Johnston. (2007). Guidelines for implementing dublin core in xml.
  3. Woodley, Mary S. (2012). “Crosswalks, Metadata Harvesting, Federated Searching, Metasearching: Using Metadata to Connect Users and Information.” Introduction to Metadata. http://www.getty.edu/research/publications/electronic_publications/intrometadata/path.html

Class activities

Guest speaker Michael Witt, DataBib (Virtual)
  • Complete worksheet
  • Watch course videos (Online)
  • Overview: in discussion forum (Online only)
  • Complete weekly feedback -

Class 7. Information services in digital libraries (Oct 16)

Class preparation activities

Complete readings

Readings

  1. Arms, W.Y. (1995). Key Concepts in the Architecture of the Digital Library,
  2. Daigle, B. J. (2012). The Digital Transformation of Special Collections. Journal Of Library Administration, 52(3/4), 244-264. doi:10.1080/01930826.2012.684504
  3. IFLA/UNESCO Manifesto for Digital Librarreis. (2012).
  4. Soergel, Dagobert. (2002). A framework for digital library research. D-LIB magazine.

Class activities

Guest speaker Camille Salas (UMD student and Library of Congress Intern on ViewShare project)
  • Complete worksheet
  • Watch course videos (Online):
  • Overview:
  • Participate in discussion forum (Online only)
  • Complete weekly feedback -

Assignments

Cumulative test 1 (Covers weeks 1-6) Due by 11:59pm Oct 22nd.

Class 8. Metadata encoding in MARC (Oct 23)

Class preparation activities

Complete readings

Readings

  1. Read - http://www.loc.gov/marc/bibliographic/ecbdhome.html Introduction, browse other areas. MARC format
  2. Seikel, M., & Steele, T. (2011). How MARC Has Changed: The History of the Format and Its Forthcoming Relationship to RDA.Technical Services Quarterly, 28(3), 322-334. doi:10.1080/07317131.2011.574519
  3. Tillett, Barbara. What is FRBR? http://www.loc.gov/cds/downloads/FRBR.PDF
  4. Library of Congress Bibliographic Transition Statement. http://www.loc.gov/marc/transition/pdf/bibframework-10312011.pdf

Class activities

  • Complete worksheet
  • Watch course videos (Online)
  • Overview:
  • Participate in discussion forum (Online only)
  • Complete weekly feedback -

Assignments

Final project group formation and initial scope statement must be in wiki by class time (2pm) on Oct 23rd

Class 9. Metadata models revisited (Oct 30)

Class preparation activities

Complete readings

Readings

  1. Tauberer, Joshua. (2008). “What is RDF and what is it good for?” “RDF: about.
  2. Whittaker, Beth M. “DACS & RDA: Insights and Questions from the New Archival Descriptive Standard.” Library Resources & Technical Services 51 (2007): 98-105. Publisher’s official version. http://kuscholarworks.ku.edu/dspace/handle/1808/7973
  3. Dunsire, G., & Willer, M. (2011). UNIMARC and linked data. IFLA Journal, 37(4), 314-326. doi:10.1177/0340035211430008

Class activities

Guest speakers – Jennie Kneis, Thomas Whitaker (UM Digital Library) (In Person)
  • Complete worksheet
  • Watch course videos (Online)
  • Overview:
  • Participate in discussion forum (Online only)
  • Complete weekly feedback -

Assignments

Quiz 4 (Covers class 7, 8) Due by 11:59pm Nov 5th

Class 10. Exploration of controlled vocabulary and classification structures (Nov 6) (Online)

Class preparation activities

Complete readings

Readings

  1. Read: Taylor, Arlene G. and Daniel N.Jouedrey. (2009). “Systems for Vocabulary Control.” The Organization of Information.3rd Edition. Available in ELMS
  2. Read: Barbara H. Kwasnik. (1999). The role of classification in knowledge representation and discovery.48, 22. -
  3. Read: Shirkey. (2006). Ontology is overrated: Categories, links, and tags 2006.
  4. Explore: Introduction to the Dewey Decimal Classification
  5. Explore: Introduction to Library of Congress Subject Headings http://www.tulane.edu/~techserv/lcsh%20introd.html
  6. Explore: Library of Congress Main Classes, http://www.loc.gov/catdir/cpso/lcco/

Class activities

  • Complete worksheet
  • Watch course videos (Online):
  • Overview:
  • Participate in discussion forum (Online only)
  • Complete weekly feedback -

Assignments