Program Goals and Objectives

St. John’s has chosen to adopt a set of goals and objectives that closely reflect ALA’s competencies. These learning objectives reflect the Division’s purpose of preparing students to serve people with a holistic understanding of the profession in its many expressions.

Goal 1. Develop and Understanding of the Foundations of the Profession

  • Demonstrate knowledge of the ethics, values, and foundational principles and the role of library and information professionals in the promotion of democratic and legal principles and intellectual freedom.
  • Understand the history of human communication and its impact on libraries, and the importance of effective verbal and written advocacy for libraries, librarians, other library workers and library services.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of  historical and present-day libraries and librarianship as well as significant national and international policies and trends within the library and information profession.
  • Demonstrate effective  communication techniques (verbal and written) used to analyze complex problems and create appropriate solutions.
  • Fulfulling certification and/or licensure requirements of specialized areas of the profession.

Goal 2. Develop and Understanding of Information Resources

  • Understand the concepts and issues related to the lifecycle of recorded knowledge and information, from creation through various stages of use to disposition.
  • Understand the concepts, issues, and methods related to the acquisition and disposition of resources, and the management, preservation and maintenance of collections.

Goal 3. Demonstrate Ability to Organize Recorded Knowledge and Information

  • Understand the principles involved and the developmental, descriptive, and evaluative skills needed in the organization, representation and retrieval of recorded knowledge and information resources.
  • Demonstrate ability to organize recorded knowledge and information using the systems of cataloging, metadata, indexing, and classification standards and methods.

Goal 4. Apply Technological Knowledge and Skills to Practice

  • Acquire, apply, analyze and assess information, communication, assistive, and other technological skills related to resources, service delivery, professinalism, efficacy, and cost-efficiency of current technologies and relevant technological improvements.

Goal 5. Apply Reference and User Services

  • Demonstrate knowledge and usage of the concepts, principles, and techniques of reference and user services, as well as retrieval techniques and evaluation methods, that provide access to relevant and accurate recorded knowledge and information from diverse sources to all patrons.
  • Understand and demonstrate ability to interact successfully with individuals of all ages and groups to provide consultation, mediation, and guidance in their use of recorded knowledge and information, including information literacy techniques and methods.
  • Understand and apply the principles of assessment towards communities, user preferences, and services and resources, as well as promoting methods of advocacy through development and services.

Goal 6. Master Research Methods

  • Understand the fundamentals of quantitative and qualitative research methods, including central research findings and research literature of the field, and the principles and methods used to assess the actual and potential value of new research.

Goal 7. Experience Continuing Education and Lifelong Learning

  • Continue professional development by maintaining and practicing the purpose and role of providing quality service for the lifelong learning of patrons and the promotion of library services.
  • Apply the learning theories, instructional methods, and achievement measures to the teaching and learning of concepts, processes and skills used in seeking, evaluating, and using recorded knowledge and information.

Goal 8. Apply Key Concepts of Administration and Management

  • Understanding the principles of planning and budgeting in libraries and other information agencies, as well as developing effective personnel practices and human resources.
  • Understanding the concepts behind, issues relating to, and methods for the following:  assessment and evaluation of library services and their outcomes, developing partnerships, collaborations, networks, and other structures, and principled, transformational leadership.