Dr. Roy's Student Support Fund

In spring 2002 we received a donation of $5,000 from Polly Scilken to start a fund called "Dr.
Roy's Student Support Fund," the purpose of which is to assist students in attending ALA and
other conferences. The fund continues to be augmented through donations from publishers,
public libraries, and independent organizations. We supported four students' attendance at the
2002 ALA Annual Conference in Atlanta, one student's travel to the 2002 LIANZA (Library and Information Association of New Zealand Aotearoa) national conference, and a student's
expenses to attend and participate in the 2004 ALA Midwinter meeting in San Diego. Please
contact Dr. Roy if you would like to provide assistance to master's students for their professional education.

Capstone: Faculty Advisor

Dr. Roy supervises Capstone (graduation) experiences that fall within her teaching and research
areas, especially topics that support information services for indigenous populations. These
Capstone projects include master's reports as well as the Professional Experience and Project
(PEP). According to the Capstone Information on the iSchool Web site, the PEP option must be "an academically rigorous, professional-level project." Students need to submit their PEP
proposals well in advance of registration. All proposal material must be typed, not hand-written.
Capstone students must be willing to meet in weekly face-to-face meetings with Dr. Roy as well
as submit weekly reports of no fewer than 100 words. The PEP option must result in a unique
product that does not duplicate effort that the student submits for any other course. Students must also have completed the relevant prerequisite coursework to assist him or her in completing their Capstone. Dr. Roy's Capstone students all must have completed at least one course with her at the time of their application. All students must provide final oral reports on their Capstones at the end-of-semester public Capstone event.

Prerequisites for my Classes

If you plan to enroll in the "Public Libraries" (388K.1) class you should first complete the
"Managing Information Services & Organizations" (387C) class. I may waive this requirement if
you have sufficient work experience in a public library setting. Students typically take the
"Public Libraries" class during their second fall semester in the program.

If you plan to enroll in one of my information resources classes, then you need to have completed 382W, "Introduction to Information Resources & Services." My classes include "Information Resources in Social Sciences" (382L.2), "Information Resources in Humanities" (382L.3), and "Library Instruction and Information Literacy" (382S). No exceptions.

Course Advising

Students in the School of Information have many options of electives. Here is some advice on
coursework as you plan your course of studies.

I. For a focus on adult services in a public library setting:

A. Take the Primary Core, as outlined on the iSchool Web site under
"Masters/Curriculum") and the Capstone experience. Total: 13 hours

B. Information Organization option. If you plan to work in a small public library you may need to be prepared to perform all library functions. You will then take both "Descriptive Cataloging and Metadata" and "Library Subject Cataloging." If you anticipate working in a large public library system outside of technical services you might take the "Organizing and Providing
Access to Information" course instead. Total: 3-6 hours

C. Management option. You will complete the "Managing Information Services & Organizations" class (387C). Total: 3 hours

D. Information Services/Reference. You will take 382W, "Introduction to Information Resources & Services " class as soon as you can in your program, often during your first semester. If you are interested in adult services/reference I recommend that you take the Business Reference and Government Documents classes and learn to use the Internet well in a reference situation. I also recommend that you complete 384D, "Collection Management." Total: 12 hours.

E. Other electives as needed! For example, I generally recommend that anyone going into public libraries complete "Materials for Children" or "Materials for Young Adults."

II. For a focus on youth services in a public library setting:

A. Select Items A-C, above.

D. Electives. Enroll in the youth services electives including both "Materials for Children" and "Materials for Young Adults" as well as "Visual Resources for Youth" and "Planning and Management of Programs for Children and Young Adults."

III. For a focus on information services in an academic library setting.

A. Take the Primary Core, as outlined on the iSchool Web site under
"Masters/Curriculum") and the Capstone experience. Total: 13 hours

B. Information Organization option. You will take both "Descriptive Cataloging and Metadata" and "Library Subject Cataloging." Total: 6 hours

C. Management option. You will complete the "Managing Information Services & Organizations" class (387C). Total: 3 hours

D. Information Services/Reference. You will take 382W, "Introduction to Information Resources & Services " class as soon as you can in your program, often during your first semester. I recommend that you take the Business Reference and Government Documents classes and learn to use the Internet well in a reference situation. You should enroll in "Library Instruction and Information Literacy." I also recommend that you complete 384D, "Collection Management." Total: 15 hours.

E. Other electives as needed, chief among these is "Academic Libraries."

Reference Letters

Dr. Roy writes prepares reference letters for students who have completed one or more of her classes and who have worked with her on projects outside of organized courses.