Information Organization and Information Retrieval in the LIS Curriculum

Abstract

Within LIS programs, information organization (IO) and information retrieval (IR) serve as foundational topics of instruction. While traditionally represented by required, dedicated courses in LIS curricula, they may now appear as a combined course or in combination with other topics across required courses. The present analysis of 58 IO/IRrelated course syllabi is part of a larger project examining the interrelation of IO and IR instruction across current ALA-accredited LIS curricula. Preliminary results presented here show significant IO and IR coverage in a range of course types, as well as the heavily applied nature of IR instruction and the movement of IO instruction toward more emergent topics.