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Library and Information Science

Examine the discipline of library and information science (LIS), also known as library and information studies, library studies, library science, and information science. The definitions for this field are as varied as the terms used to describe it, with some separating “library science” and “information science” into separate disciplines. One thing the various definitions have in common is the organization of information and information resources with the goal of making it readily available to others.

Information science used to be the domain of scientists who focused on information retrieval in databases, scholarly communication, and subject knowledge; this role was distinct from traditional librarians, who focused on the library's internal processes and best practices. As information scientists integrated into the library to aid researchers, schools of librarianship began adding the term “information science” in the 1960s, expanding the role and skill set of librarians.

Although information professionals lack a common understanding of their role, their duties can include the curation of collections for groups, the education of others on the availability and applicability of library science resources, the acquisition and organization of information to facilitate effective access and discovery, the preservation of cultural heritage, and the creation and management of information retrieval systems.

There are a number of library associations, such as the American Library Association,  that were created to support librarians and information specialists in the development and improvement of the profession and field. 

 

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Resources

Gale provides library science resources to support information and library science research, including information science databases, digital services, and eBooks

 

Databases

Gale research databases offer librarians, patrons, and students access to published abstracts and full-text library science articles, information science articles, and library science magazines including library science journals, periodicals, and other publications.

 

Digital Services

Gale provides tools for libraries to conduct research to improve engagement with their patrons.

 

Gale eBooks

Gale offers a variety of eBooks that support library and information science. Users can add Gale eBooks to a customized collection and cross-search to pinpoint relevant content. Workflow tools help users easily share, save, and download content. 

 

  • Librarian's Guide to Writing for Professional Publication, 1st Edition

    Librarian's Guide to Writing for Professional Publication, 1st Edition

    Libraries Unlimited  |  2019  |  ISBN-13: 9781440837692

    Even if you're not yet confident about your experience, ideas, or editorial skills, more than likely, you're ready to consider publishing. This practical guide will supply the encouragement and direction for you to effectively write and start publishing, which will likely boost your career. It explains the difference between traditional and self-publishing; supplies advice on picking and working successfully with a publisher; and discussions on copyright, open access publishing, and contract signing. Geared to all librarians, it also includes information specifically for librarians on the tenure track and those who wish to experiment with new media. It supplies templates for various types of communication, such as letters, emails, and memos; a news release, newsletter, or feature story; conference proceedings, peer-reviewed articles, technical manuals or brochures; proposals for a book or research journal articles; and how to turn your master's thesis or doctoral thesis into a published work.

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  • Information Literacy for Today's Diverse Students: Differentiated Instructional Techniques for Academic Librarians, 1st Edition​​​​​​​

    Information Literacy for Today's Diverse Students: Differentiated Instructional Techniques for Academic Librarians, 1st Edition

    Libraries Unlimited  |  2019  |  ISBN-13: 9781440862083

    Cultural influences in students' lives—often tied to aspects of their background such as ethnicity, national origin, socioeconomic status, gender, and religionplay a large role in determining how they learn. Learning styles additionally differ among students, making it difficult to know how to best support all students. This title introduces academic instruction librarians to a differentiated instruction (DI) approach that will help them to offer students a choice of how to engage with course content, assess their understanding of the material, and demonstrate mastery of the material to the instructor, allowing students to actively participate in their education. It explains various instructional techniques used in DI and provides detailed, step-by-step examples for implementing educational technology tools supporting each technique. Accompanying the examples are tips for overcoming known challenges in implementation and best practices for successful adoption of the techniques.

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  • Making Surveys Work for Your Library: Guidance, Instructions, and Examples, 1st Edition

    Making Surveys Work for Your Library: Guidance, Instructions, and Examples, 1st Edition

    Libraries Unlimited  |  2019  |  ISBN-13: 9781440861086

    Library listservs and websites are littered with examples of surveys that are too long, freighted with complex language, and generally poorly designed. The survey, however, is a widely used tool that has great potential if designed well. Libraries can implement surveys for a variety of purposes, including planning, program evaluation, collection development, and space design. This book offers librarians a contemporary and practical approach to creating surveys that answer authentic questions about library users. The authors have experience designing, deploying, and analyzing quantitative and qualitative data from large-scale, web-based user surveys of library patrons as well as smaller survey instruments targeted to special populations. Here, they offer library professionals a guide to developing concise surveys that gather data they need to make evidence-based decisions, define the scope of future research, and understand their patrons.

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  • Citation Tracking in Academic Libraries: An Overview, 1st Edition

    Citation Tracking in Academic Libraries: An Overview, 1st Edition

    Chandos Publishing  |  2016  |  ISBN-13: 9780081017623

    In the wake of the competitive ranking of universities, there is an added requirement for faculty to be involved with research activities so they can enhance the standing of their parent institutions. That means there is a need to use valid and authentic platforms for publishing. Making reference to already existing texts and answering questions that have been encountered by the author, this title is compiled to make easy, short, and concise reading that is an overview of tracking citations.

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Resources to Boost Your Research

From trending social issues to classic literature, Gale resources have you covered. Explore overviews, statistics, essay topics, and more or log in through your library to find even more content.

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