Admission to the SIRLS Master’s Program

Admission to the SIRLS Master’s Program

Admission to the SIRLS Master’s Program

Admission to the SIRLS master’s degree program is granted by the director of SIRLS, upon recommendation of the SIRLS Admissions Committee, and the Graduate College. To be admitted, students must meet the requirements of both the Graduate College and SIRLS. In addition, they must submit separate applications to the Graduate College and to SIRLS. (See the Application Process below.)

Requirements

Students admitted under regular status must meet the requirements of the Graduate School and of SIRLS.

Graduate School Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree from the University of Arizona or from an accredited college or university recognized by the University of Arizona (Graduate College and SIRLS requirement)
• A grade-point-average of 3.0 or higher (Graduate College and SIRLS requirement)

Students will not be allowed to register for classes until they have have met the university's immunization requirements. For more information, see the Campus Health Service's immunization requirements.

SIRLS Requirements

• SIRLS requires competitive scores on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). Test scores must be no older than five years. Students with an advanced graduate degree, such as a master’s or doctoral degree, do not need to provide GRE scores.

GRE scores are one of numerous indicators that the admissions committee looks at in order to assess ability to succeed in graduate school.

Application Process

Applicants must apply to the Graduate College and to SIRLS, in two separate application processes.

A completed application to the Graduate College must include:

• An online completed application for admission to the Graduate College - SIRLS only admits students in Winter (part of SPRING) and Summer. Please mark the Graduate College application appropriately.
• A $50 application fee via a credit card online.
• No transcripts are to be sent to the Graduate College.
• Domestic applicants must also complete a domicile affadavit form if they wish to have in-state (Arizona) status. Mail or FAX the form directly to the Residency Classification Office. All students are considered out-of-state residents until domiclile affadavits are processed.
• All students should review the information about Proposition 300. This is the students' responsibility.
• International applicants must complete a financial guarantee form (Graduate College website) and submit TOEFL scores.
• An immunization form (pdf) to be sent directly to Campus Health.

A completed application to SIRLS, sent directly to SIRLS, must include the following elements:

• SIRLS application form
• If applicable, the SIRLS financial aid form with narrative Statement of Financial Need attached. Refer to the discussion of financial aid for complete information and the correct application to download.
• Graduate Record Examination scores. Scores submitted electronically to UA take a considerable to be posted. Please also send a copy of your paper report when received. GRE scores are waived for applicants who already have an advanced graduate degree, such as a master’s or doctoral degree.
• Two letters of recommendation from persons familiar with the applicant’s academic abilities and/or professional potential. The authors should address the student's ability to complete a graduate program and their interest and commitment to the library and information profession. The letters should be on letterhead, dated (no more than one year old), and in sealed envelopes from the author. There is no form for these letters. A recommendation letter may be mailed directly to SIRLS from the author or may be submitted by the applicant in a sealed emvelope.
• A written statement of introduction and why interested in the program
• TWO official transcripts from EACH college or university attended in sealed envelopes.
• A resume or curriculum vitae

Send SIRLS admissions materials to:

School of Information Resources & Library Science
University of Arizona
1515 East First Street
Tucson, Arizona 85719

Applications are considered by SIRLS when all the above elements are received. An application will not be processed by SIRLS until all required information is received.

Refer to SIRLS application deadlines.

Knowledge River Admission

Admission to Knowledge River, a project for educating librarians who are culturally and linguistically sensitive to Latino and Native American populations, requires admission to the SIRLS program and the Graduate College, under the requirements stated above. For more information about Knowledge River admissions, see Knowledge River.

Provisional Admission

Students who do not meet the stated requirements of the Graduate School and SIRLS will be considered as candidates for provisional admission. Provisional admission requires concurrence from both SIRLS and the Graduate College. Decisions for provisional admission are based on strong indicators of potential success in a graduate program and in the profession present in the applicant’s file. More information on provisional admission is available on the advising website.

Readmission to SIRLS

Students who have been but are no longer SIRLS students, and who want to regain admission, must follow both the Graduate School Policy for readmission and SIRLS policies. There are varying circumstances under which former students who did not complete the degree might seek readmission. For more information on readmission, see the SIRLS advising webpage or contact SIRLS Academic Advising Coordinator, wilding@email.arizona.edu.

Additional Information

If you have questions about admissions that are not covered by the information above, please contact us.

• Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
• Admission questions : sirls@email.arizona.edu

Admissions to the SIRLS Doctoral Program

SIRLS Doctoral Program

9/1/05

Goal

The goal of the doctoral program is to prepare future intellectual leaders in the area of information. Specifically, the program is geared toward intensive study of the organization, evaluation, and use of information. Each doctoral student will be expected to articulate his or her own goals within these general areas.

Degree

The School of Information Resources and Library Science is authorized to offer the Doctor of Philosophy degree, a Ph.D. with an emphasis in Information Resources and Library Science. A student must minor in a second area, determined in consultation with the faculty advisor and approved by the SIRLS Ph.D. Studies Committee.

Admission - General Information

Admission to the doctoral program is competitive and based on both the applicant's abilities and faculty interest and expertise in the student's proposed area of study. The School may deny entry to an otherwise qualified applicant if there is insufficient faculty interest in working with that applicant.

• Admission to the doctoral program is possible with or without a master's degree.


• All applicants must possess an undergraduate degree that is comparable to an undergraduate degree offered by the University of Arizona.

Admission to any graduate program at the University of Arizona is the responsibility of the Graduate College. The School and other units with graduate programs make recommendations to the Graduate College. Please note that most units, including the School, prefer to set a standard for admission that is higher than the absolute minimum levels for admission to the Graduate College (noted in the Graduate Catalog.)

The following are guidelines. The faculty consider the overall package when making candidate evaluations:

• An undergraduate or graduate academic record that is indicative of significant achievement. This is normally a GPA of a minimum of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale.


• GRE scores that are indicative of significant promise. This is normally a minimum of the 80th percentile or higher on the verbal, quantitative, and analytical portions of the test. [There is no need to take or submit a specialized test other than noted above.]


• A minimum of three letters of recommendation that clearly speak to the applicant's promise as a graduate student and as a doctoral student.


• A resume indicating both employment and educational experience to date.


• A statement of intent from the applicant clearly laying out why he or she is applying to this particular program and what he or she considers the outcome of doctoral study will be. Applicants need not, at this point, indicate potential dissertation topics, but an indication of the area(s) in which they propose to study would be very helpful to the faculty.


• A completed set of application forms for the Graduate College and for the School.


• An interview, on campus or by phone, with selected members of the faculty.

Funding

SIRLS sees as a priority funding for Ph.D. students in their first three years of study. Opportunities exist within SIRLS and on campus for graduate assistantships, scholarships, and other forms of support.

Admission - Process

• Admission to the doctoral program normally occurs in the fall semester.


• The deadline for fall admission is 1 February.


• The Ph.D. studies committee makes recommendations to the faculty. Then admission is by faculty vote with a simple majority sufficient for admission or rejection. Faculty expertise and interest in the student's area of study are major factors in the admission decision.

Requirements

There are two parallel sets of requirements for the Ph.D.

• One set is the Graduate College requirements, as found in the Graduate Catalog.


• The second set contains the requirements of the School.

Graduate College Requirements

The following is a summary of the Graduate College requirements. For the full text of the requirements, see the Graduate Catalog.

• The equivalent of at least six semesters of essentially full-time study is required.


• Minimum residency requirement is two regular semesters (not counting summer session) of essentially full-time work in actual residence at the University of Arizona.


• Minimum of 30 units of course work completed at the University of Arizona.


• Registration for a minimum of 18 units of dissertation work. With prior approval, the dissertation may be done in absentia.


• All requirements for the degree must be completed within 5 years of passing the Comprehensive Exam.


• At least 36 units of course work, exclusive of the dissertation, must be in the major area.


• Minimum of one-half of the courses presented for the degree must be courses in which regular grades (A, B, C) have been earned.


• Comprehensive written and oral examination


• Dissertation


• Dissertation defense

School of Information Resources & Library Science Requirements

• Annual review of student's progress.


• A minimum of 36 units in the major, inclusive of work done for the master's, but exclusive of the dissertation.


• Minor chosen in consultation with a faculty advisor (normally 9 units but at the discretion and control of the minor unit).


• Dissertation proposal defense


• 18 units of dissertation and successful completion of dissertation

SIRLS expects all requirements for the doctoral degree to be completed in three to six years. Please see the Chronology of the SIRLS Doctoral Program for more information.

Computing Resources Directory

Brief Statement of the Computer Skills Prerequisite

The School assumes that students have basic computer skills, abilities, and knowledge of the type that are normally acquired through a college-level computer literacy course. These competencies encompass the use of personal computers word processing, file management, email, and web browser software and a basic understanding of computer hardware, software and networking capabilities (including the Internet and Web).

All incoming graduate students should have the following computer skills prior to taking any courses in the School: Windows or MacOS or Linux or Unix; MS Office including Word, Excel, PowerPoint; basic database, for example MS Access (table creation, simple search); email, including managing incoming and outgoing attachments; Internet and Web, including search and bookmarking; and any drawing or image processing tool.

There is a definite advantage to an incoming student if that student can author, produce and mount a Web page (produce using an html editor and mount by secure file transfer such as SSH or SFTP).

To acquire these skills, students can take courses at a community college, a university, or a computer training center. These skills can also be self-taught with the help of a textbook or instruction manual or by the use of online resources.

There is further detail below.

Computing Resources

Index to this page:

Access	Browsing the Web	E-mail & Listservs
Computer Skills	HTML (Producing your own Web Page)	Our Computer Lab
Learning More	Telnet/FTP/SSH/SFTP	D2L
UA Resources	VPN	PDF Files

What You Will Need Access to

Visit the computer access and technical requirements page to familiarize yourself with SIRLS requirements.

Computer Skills

The School requires each incoming student to have computer proficiency in the following areas prior to admission:

• your operating system, i.e.: Microsoft Windows, OS X, Linux etc.
• word processing software such as Word or WordPerfect.
• database software such as Access.
• spreadsheet software such as Excel.
• Internet navigation
• Email

The faculty will assume that you have a basic understanding of the six areas mentioned above. They will give assignments, exams and projects that incorporate these areas. It is important that you acquire these skills prior to starting your first semester with us.

Virtual Students: Students registering for virtual classes will need basic web authoring (HTML) skills in order to format assignments for submission to the professor. If you have never created an HTML document before, the easiest thing to do is to check to see if your word processing software can "save as HTML." If you want to learn more about HTML, see the HTML section, or the bulleted list of class offerings below.

Easy access to a computer with Internet capability other than those located in the University computer labs is recommended.

Where to Learn More about Computers

Walk-in Computer Classes and Online Tutorials

Internet, Electronic Resources & Software Workshops: the library offers free walk-in computer classes and online tutorials. The classes cover software and computer skills such as Powerpoint and HTML. Each class takes about two hours and has an excellent handout for self-paced study.

University of Arizona Computer Based Training (UACBT) These materials are free to UA users. Check What is UACBT. You will need your UA NetID to sign in.

More formal computing classes are also taught by:

• UA Extended University
• Pima Community College

You might also check such online resources as

• BBC Webwise
• Jan's Illustrated Computer Literacy 101.

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UA Resources

• Computer Center Support FAQs about using campus wide computer systems provided by the Computer Center and Information Technology (CCIT).
• Campus Site Licenses for Software
• Email and Computer Accounts
• Research Computing Support
• Computer Labs Computers available for students, faculty, and staff.
• Hardware And Computing Knowledge Society (HACKS)
• CATS - Computing and Technology Store for computing hardware and software at special student prices on the bottom level of the UA Bookstore.

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Browsing the Web

The World Wide Web is a fundamental tool in accessing research materials and course information, as well as lectures for virtual classes. To access the World Wide Web, you need a graphical web browser such as Netscape, Firefox, Internet Explorer, or Safari. With Microsoft Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator, version 3.0 or higher is REQUIRED; on the other hand, students using Netscape 6.0 or 6.1 may experience problems accessing the library's electronic databases.

AOL Users: The university uses D2L to manage coursework. AOL's built-in browser commonly has problems with course management software. It is recommended that you download a more mainstream browser such as:

• Download Firefox [free and recommended]
• Download Netscape [free]
• Download Internet Explorer [free]
• Download Opera [free]
• Download Mozilla [free]

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HTML (Producing your own Web Page)

HTML, or HyperText Markup Language, will be used often in many courses throughout the program (eg for the submission of assignments). It is best to have a basic knowledge of HTML development prior to enrollment, especially if you will be taking virtual classes. Below are a few tutorials and guides that will help you.

Using HTML (Web-Editing) Software

A few years ago, people had to learn HTML in order to publish to the Web. Now there are many different brands of software that do this for you. Even word processing software like Microsoft Word can save a document "as HTML." While using Word will produce adequate results, a more specialized piece of software will offer more control and flexibility.

You should write in a WYSIWYG HTML editor. These are no more difficult than any ordinary word processor.

NVu and Netscape or Mozilla Composer

There are plenty of WYSIWYG editors, and there are plenty of free ones. But to shorten this discussion somewhat, get NVu (pronounced 'N-view'). http://nvu.com/ Download it from http://nvu.com/download.html. There are versions for any operating system.

Then, just start typing and saving, or scan through the tutorials

• Designing and publishing a site with NVu
• Nvu Tutorial Chapter 2: Adding Images, Changing Fonts, Changing Colours, Creating a Navigation Bar, Writing Your Content.
• etc
• Now, NVu is both a page editor (which is what we want) and a site editor (which is a bit over the top for most of us). So you just work with the simple parts of it. So go to its View menu, then to Show/Hide, then hide the Site Manager. And when you save your pages make sure they have the suffix .html (eg myPage.html). NVu will put this in automatically for you (so don't take it out).

Netscape Composer is also a good choice for beginners because it is free and fairly simple to use. If you have any recent Netscape browser, Netscape Composer is included as part of the package. It is also available at all the campus computer labs.

• Web Pages 100, a Composer Tutorial from the UA Library.

Microsoft FrontPage, Macromedia Dreamweaver and Adobe GoLive are examples of other web-editing software. The SIRLS lab and the library Info Commons both have Macromedia Dreamweaver. In the future, the Info Commons will have Microsoft FrontPage as well.

• Web Pages 150 [pdf], a Dreamweaver Tutorial from the UA Library.

Web 2.0 Solutions

There are also Web 2.0 solutions to authoring Web Pages. For example, Writely http://www.writley.com This is so good, in fact, that Google has bought it, and we now wait for Google to re-release it.

Open Office

Open Office provides a free alternative to Microsoft (and other) office suites. The software provides word processing, spreadsheet, database, presentation and html editing components. The software is available in 45 languages, and on numerous platforms including Solaris, Linux, Windows and OS X.

Beginner's Guides and Tutorials

If you want to learn how HTML works, here are some places to start:

• HTML Tutorial [pdf] from the UA Library
• A Beginner's Guide to HTML - From the NCSA, this site contains a good overview of how to get started with HTML.
• Beginner's Guide to Publishing to the Web from the LSO Student Handbook
• Webmonkey- Updates on the latest HTML tricks for the future.
• Writing HTML - a tutorial from the Maricopa Center for Learning & Instruction.

HTML Reference Guides

• Bare Bones Guide to HTML - This site provides a quick overview of HTML tags with usage and implementation notes.
• Yale C/AIM Web Style Guide - An excellent guide to overall web management.
• Developer Shed - HTML, graphic, and FTP tools available for download.

Web Design Dos and Don'ts

• The Seven Deadly Sins (of Website Design) - Helpful tips of what to avoid when designing a website.
• The Top 15 Mistakes of First-time Web Design by Holly Burns.

Graphics and Color

• Barry's Clip Art Server - A resource for Web graphics, containing clipart selections as well as an extensive guide to other collections. Not all of these are free.
• CoolText.Com - a free collection of fonts, textures, logos and buttons for use on the Web.
• Anthony's WWW Images - for when you just need a basic bullet or arrow.
• Absolute Background Textures Archive - nearly 4,000 free backgrounds organized by color.

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Telnet, FTP, SSH, and SFTP

Telnet and FTP have been replaced on campus by SSH and SFTP, secure versions of software which provide a degree of encryption and security previously unavailable. Windows does not natively support SSH, although Mac OS X does.

For Windows Users, Download SSH software

For Mac Users, Download Fugu [this is a terrific program]

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VPN

Virtual Private Networking [VPN] is a method of allowing off-campus users to have access to on-campus network resources without additional authentication. This is especially useful when accessing library resources and electronic databases. In order to use VPN, a client must be downloaded and the user must have a UA NetID.

The VPN is also required for wireless users on campus.

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Email and Electronic Mailing Lists (Listservs)

You must provide the School with an email address which will be used as the primary way of reaching you regarding all academic matters, advising and scheduling of appointments. If you are taking coursework as a non-degree student it is recommended that you obtain an email account. In almost all cases you will be asked to subscribe to an electronic list for each of your classes. Subscription to the School's general list, IRLSADMIN, is required. The office will add you to this list upon your acceptance to the program. For more information about listservs:

• SIRLS Course listserv subscription information provides you with complete instructions on joining class lists and general mailing lists.
• Listserv creation information (listserv.arizona.edu) for information on how students can create an electronic listserv at the University of Arizona.
• L-Soft's CataList is the official worldwide list of listservs.
• Liszt - a searchable database of over 90,000 mailing lists.
• Tile.Net - The Comprehensive Internet Reference, providing information about lists, as well as Usenet and FTP.

See also:

• Creating a University of Arizona email account
• Everything Email for great email tips.

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Our Computer Lab

Our computer lab includes a mixture of PCs and Macs and is equipped with word processing, spreadsheet, Website design software and more. Space on college servers, for websites, document storage etc., is also available on request (email sbstech@u.arizona.edu).

Equipment available in our computer lab includes:

Gateway E-2600D P4 2.8Ghz 1GB RAM w/75GB HDs DVD/CD/RW, Software: Microsoft Office XP, Firefox, Internet Explorer, Quicktime, Nero, Macromedia Dreamweaver MX2004, Macromedia suite. (9)

iMac, OSX 10.4.8 1.83Ghz Intel core duo 1GB RAM w/160GB HDs combo drive, Acrobat Reader 4.0, Firefox, Safari, MS Office, Quicktime, Dreamweaver and Macromedia suite. (1)

Hewlett Packard HP Laserjet (networked)

Hewlett Packard HP ScanJet 5590

Scanner

Cisco Aironet 1200 Series A/B/G Wireless Access Point (requires NetID authentication)

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D2L

Desire 2 Learn (D2L) is the software SIRLS uses for virtual education courses. Students should familiarize themselves with D2L's organization and interface. You will need your student netID and password to login to D2L.

• D2L Instructions & Login

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PDF (Portable Document Format) Files

In virtual courses or on the Internet, you may often come across PDF files. Portable Document Format allows you to view documents just as they appear in printed versions complete with all graphics and illustrations. You must have the Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer to view these files. You may have it already if you have a current version of Netscape Navigator or Microsoft Internet Explorer.

• Download Adobe Acrobat Reader

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ePortfolio

Overview

The electronic portfolios (ePortfolios) demonstrate professional, academic, and personal progress toward a Masters Degree in Library and Information Science.

The ePortfolios consist of private collections of reflections and artifacts. They are part of the assessment of a student within SIRLS. They are private between the student and an evaluator. The evaluator will judge whether each reflection is satisfactory or not. And the student will need to produce 4 satisfactory reflections, as detailed below, to meet the School's ePortfolio requirement.

New students:

• Read or scan all the pages here (clicking 'read more' to read more).
• Ensure that you have watched the movies that are there (there are 5 or more, each 5 minutes long).
• To create your reflections Log in (Login form is on the Search page).
• Questions? Contact the SIRLS ePortfolio Graduate Assistant.

Financial Aid

Financial Aid

• SIRLS Financial Aid
• Departmental Financial Aid
• Graduate Assistantships
• Scholarships
• Other Sources of Financial Aid

SIRLS Financial Aid Brochure (pdf)

Fall 2008 costs for attending SIRLS (including Program Fees)

 

• The Arizona Board of Regents has approved a fee increase for SIRLS classes effective Fall 2007. For Arizona residents, the fee will be $500 for a 3-credit course. For non-residents, the fee will be $1200 per 3-credit course. Increases in registration and non-resident tuition were also approved by the Board of Regents. Official costs for registration, tuition and fees will be posted soon on the Bursar's page http://www.bursar.arizona.edu/students/fees/index.asp.

SIRLS Financial Aid

• Application for Financial Aid
• Small and Rural Libraries Scholarship Application

Priority Deadlines

Deadlines for SIRLS financial aid applications are the same as admissions application deadlines. Financial aid applications received after the priority deadline will be considered on a funds available basis. Students and applicants are strongly encouraged to apply for financial aid even if the priority deadline has passed.

Fall Semester:	February 1
Spring Semester:	September 1
Summer:	February 1 (Small and Rural Libraries Scholarship only)

 

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Departmental Financial Aid

Financial aid, awarded for both academic achievement and financial need, is available from SIRLS. Interested applicants must complete the financial aid form, available on the school's website. Both current students and new students accepted for admission are eligible for financial aid. SIRLS financial aid is awarded in the fall for the ensuing academic year. A very few scholarships and assistantships are available for the spring semester .

General Eligibility Requirements: Students receiving financial aid are required to maintain full-time enrollment status (9 credits) and maintain satisfactory progress toward their degree, defined at a minimum as a GPA of at least 3.0. Students who have not matriculated into a SIRLS degree or certificate program are not eligible for financial aid. Students admitted provisionally may be considered for financial aid on a case-by-case basis. Students receiving financial aid must possess a valid social security number.

Special Eligibility Requirements: Individual scholarships\nmay impose additional or other eligibility criteria.

Graduate Assistantships

Graduate assistants are students employed by SIRLS to help with teaching, research and on-going projects. Both new and continuing students are eligible for assistantships. Prospective graduate assistants must meet general eligibility requirements and request consideration for an assistantship in their financial aid application. Graduate assistants receive a salary in addition to reduced registration costs, non-resident tuition waivers, discounts at the student bookstores and individual health insurance coverage. Graduate assistants pay SIRLS program fees at the in-state level, regardless of residential status. Appointments may be for the academic year or for a semester; they may be ¼ time (10 hours of work per week) or ½ time (20 hours of\nwork per week). All graduate assistants must complete mandatory training at both the university and departmental levels before beginning employment.

Scholarships

SIRLS has a variety of scholarships available to students who matriculate in a SIRLS degree or certificate program. Scholarships are grants of money for use in paying the costs of a student's education. Scholarships are awarded on the basis of financial need and/or academic achievement. In addition to the general requirements for financial aid, listed above, some scholarships have special requirements for eligibility, application, and maintenance. The amount of financial aid varies with the scholarship.

Special Eligibility Requirements: Individual scholarships may impose additional or other eligibility criteria.


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Graduate Assistantships

Graduate assistants are students employed by SIRLS to help with teaching, research and on-going projects. Both new and continuing students are eligible for assistantships. Prospective graduate assistants must meet general eligibility requirements and request consideration for an assistantship in their financial aid application. Graduate assistants receive a salary in addition to reduced registration costs, non-resident tuition waivers, discounts at the student bookstores and individual health insurance coverage. Graduate assistants pay SIRLS program fees at the in-state level, regardless of residential status. Appointments may be for the academic year or for a semester; they may be ¼ time (10 hours of work per week) or ½ time (20 hours of work per week). All graduate assistants must complete mandatory training at both the university and departmental levels before beginning employment.

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Scholarships

SIRLS has a variety of scholarships available to students who matriculate in a SIRLS degree or certificate program. Scholarships are grants of money for use in paying the costs of a student's education. Scholarships are awarded on the basis of financial need and/or academic achievement. In addition to the general requirements for financial aid, listed above, some scholarships have special requirements for eligibility, application, and maintenance. The amount of financial aid varies with the scholarship.

SIRLS Scholarships for Library and Information Services in the 21^st Century - SIRLS awards a limited number of scholarships in recognition of academic achievement and/or financial need to both new and continuing students. Prospective scholarship awardees must meet general eligibility requirements. SIRLS scholarships are generally awarded in the amount of $7000, intended to cover 7 three-credit courses. In general, SIRLS scholarships are not renewable, although recipients of SIRLS scholarships are eligible for other types of financial aid, such as graduate assistantships or other scholarships. Applicants for SIRLS scholarships must complete the SIRLS financial aid application and submit an essay of no more than 200 words describing their views, of library and information services in the 21^st Century.

Knowledge River - Knowledge River recruits persons linguistically and culturally sensitive to, and knowledgeable of, Hispanic or Native American communities. Knowledge River Scholars receive tuition and fees for one academic year, along with either a graduate assistantship or a stipend. Knowledge River offers a variety of courses presented from a multicultural perspective, academic support, and the opportunity to be part of a cohort. For more information about

SIRLS Scholarships for Library and Information Services in the 21 st Century - SIRLS awards a limited number of scholarships in recognition of academic achievement and/or financial need to both new and continuing students. Prospective scholarship awardees must meet general eligibility requirements. SIRLS scholarships are generally awarded in the amount of $7000, intended to cover 7 three-credit courses. In general, SIRLS scholarships are not renewable, although recipients of SIRLS scholarships are eligible for other types of financial aid, such as graduate assistantships or other scholarships. Applicants for SIRLS scholarships must complete the SIRLS financial aid application and submit an essay of no more than 200 words describing their views, of library and information services in the 21 st Century.

Knowledge River - Knowledge River recruits persons linguistically and culturally sensitive to, and knowledgeable of, Hispanic or Native American communities. Knowledge River Scholars receive tuition and fees for one academic year, along with either a graduate assistantship or a stipend. Knowledge River offers a variety of courses presented from a multicultural perspective, academic support, and the opportunity to be part of a cohort. For more information about http://knowledgeriver.arizona.edu

IMLS Small and Rural Libraries Scholarships - This scholarship supports students interested in careers in Arizona's small, rural and community libraries. It's open to all students who meet general eligibility requirements, except that full-time enrollment is not required. The scholarship pays SIRLS registration fees and non-resident tuition for classes completed prior to June 30, 2009 when grant funding ends. Students must complete the required application form and write a short essay on their interest in small and rural libraries

Helping Hand Scholarship - Students who have completed at least half the course requirements for the master's degree and who have filed their mid-program Plan of Study may apply for one-time grant of up to $500 to help defray the cost of non-resident tuition, SIRLS registration fees and books. General eligibility requirements apply.

Jimmie Bevill Public Librarian Scholarship - This scholarship supports students pursuing studies in public librarianship. The amount varies. In addition to meeting general eligibility requirements, students must submit a paragraph on the role public libraries play in serving underserved populations, including\nany relevant experience. Preference is given to students with relevant experience.

IMLS Small and Rural Libraries Scholarships - This scholarship supports students interested in careers in Arizona's small, rural and community libraries. It's open to all students who meet general eligibility requirements, except that full-time enrollment is not required. The scholarship pays SIRLS registration fees and non-resident tuition for classes completed prior to June 30, 2009 when grant funding ends. Students must complete the required application form and write a short essay on their interest in small and rural libraries

Helping Hands Scholarships - Students who have completed at least half the course requirements for the master's degree and who have filed their mid-program Plan of Study may apply for a one-time grant of up to $600 ($200 per course) to help defray the cost of non-resident tuition, SIRLS registration fees and books. General eligibility requirements apply.

Friends of the Green Valley Library Scholarship - This scholarship is for staff members of the Pima County Public Library seeking their Master's degrees from the University of Arizona's School of Information Resources and Library Science. All applications must be postmarked by March 31st. ( Download the application form .)

Jimmie Bevill Public Librarian Scholarship - This scholarship supports students pursuing studies in public librarianship. The amount varies. In addition to meeting general eligibility requirements, students must submit an essay on the role public libraries play in serving underserved populations, including any relevant experience. Preference is given to students with relevant experience.

Margaret May Caffall Memorial Scholarship<- This scholarship supports SIRLS full-time students with financial need. The amount varies. General eligibility requirements apply.

E. A. Cheves Scholarship- This scholarship supports outstanding SIRLS students interested in careers in small libraries such as the library in Miami, AZ. The amount varies. In addition to meeting general eligibility requirements, the applicant must be an Arizona resident

Alice B. Good Scholarship- This scholarship supports outstanding SIRLS students interested in public libraries. The amount varies. In addition to meeting general eligibility requirements, the applicant must be an Arizona resident.

Margaret F. Maxwell Scholarship- This scholarship supports students interested in cataloging and is merit-based. The amount varies. General eligibility requirements apply

Fay and Lawrence Clark Powell Scholarship-

The Mary Esther Treat Clark Scholarship in Library Sciences

Margaret May Caffall Memorial Scholarship - This scholarship supports SIRLS full-time students with financial need. The amount varies. General eligibility requirements apply.

E. A. Cheves Scholarship - This scholarship supports outstanding SIRLS students interested in careers in small libraries such as the library in Miami, AZ. The amount varies. In addition to meeting general eligibility requirements, the applicant must be an Arizona resident

Alice B. Good Scholarship - This scholarship supports outstanding SIRLS students interested in public libraries. The amount varies. In addition to meeting general eligibility requirements, the applicant must be an Arizona resident.

Margaret F. Maxwell Scholarship - This scholarship supports students interested in cataloging and is merit-based. The amount varies. General eligibility requirements apply

Fay and Lawrence Clark Powell Scholarship - This scholarship supports outstanding non-resident SIRLS students with a background in humanities. The amount varies. In addition to general eligibility requirements, the student must be enrolled for a minimum of 12 graduate credits during the term of the award.

Ann Berg Strickland Scholarship -This scholarship supports students interested in special libraries. Students must have a record of satisfactory academic progress and demonstrate financial need. The amount of the award is $500.00. In addition to meeting general eligibility requirements, students must write a brief statement explaining their interest in pursuing a career in a special library.

H.W. Wilson Company Scholarship - This scholarship supports students with outstanding credentials and demonstrated financial need. The amount of the award varies. General eligibility requirements apply.

Louise A. Stephens Memorial Scholarship - The Arizona Library Association has been working with the UA Scholarship Development Office to create a new scholarship for SIRLS students, the Louise A. Stephens Memorial Scholarship. In the inaugural year of the scholarship (2008-2009), the award is $3,000. In 2009-2010, the Louise A. Stephens Memorial Scholarship will be awarded from an endowment established by the Arizona Library Association. This scholarship will be given annually in perpetuity. AzLA is currently developing plans for fundraising to bolster the endowment. May 15 is the deadline to apply for 2008-2009. More information can be found here.

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Other Sources of Financial Aid

SIRLS encourages students with unmet financial need to apply for additional support from the University of Arizona Office of Student Financial Aid. OSFA offers an array of need-based funding for graduate students including scholarships, grants, waivers, loans and work study. Call 520-621-1858, email , or visit on the web at http://financialaid.arizona.edu

Other scholarships and financial aid for students pursuing studies in library and Information Science are available from a variety of organizations, foundations, and corporations. Visit the SIRLS financial aid website for a partial listing with links to important web sites.

Bruce Fulton, MLS

Communications and Outreach Librarian

School of Information Resources and Library Science

1515 E First Street

Tucson, AZ 85719

Main Office: 520-621-3565

Direct: 520-626-4631, askaid@email.arizona.edu , or visit on the web at http://financialaid.arizona.edu

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• Must all students begin with IRLS504, Foundations of Library & Information Services?
• What if I already have an advanced degree in library science or another discipline and I just want to take an IRLS course?
• What about parking on the UA campus?
• Are there scholarship opportunities at SIRLS?
• What are SIRLS’ program fees?
• What are the Program Fees for Fall 2007?
• What else do I need to know about the Master's/Specialist Plan of Study (POS) ?

Must all students begin with IRLS504, Foundations of Library & Information Services?

---Yes, all students, even CONTINUING EDUCATION students, begin with IRLS504. Students take IRLS504 as their sole course in winter session, Summer I, or Summer II and then take a full-time or part-time load in the following semester. The course introduces students to SIRLS and graduate study, to the library and information professions, to the foundational concepts needed for success in the program, and also to each other. During the on-campus component of the course, SIRLS students work together and get to know each other in a face-to-face environment, so when they meet online, they are encountering colleagues and friends.

The course involves:
1) several weeks of reading and independent study at a location chosen by the student;
2) seven days of face-to-face instruction on the UA campus in Tucson ( 8am to 8pm);
3) an electronic project due about one week later.

What if I already have an advanced degree in library science or another discipline and I just want to take an IRLS course?

--- You will need to apply to the Graduate College as a Continuing Education student ($25). Let us know when that application has been submitted so that we may access it online. Also, fill out a Continuing Education SIRLS’ application and mail/FAX the form to SIRLS. It will be reviewed and you will be notified of the outcome.

What about parking on the UA campus?

---Students, staff, faculty and visitors are responsible for their own parking arrangements. More information is available at Parking & Transportation.

Are there scholarship opportunities at SIRLS?

---Yes, SIRLS has a great deal of financial aid. Some of it is in the form of Graduate Assistantships and some of it is monies for course tuition. No aid is offered specifically for books or living expenses. All students pay program fees.

What are SIRLS’ program fees?

--- SIRLS was told in January 2003 to become more financially self-sustaining. SIRLS submitted a new business plan that included a program fee proposal. The reality is that program fees must be collected for SIRLS to survive. Not only must we impose the program fee but it must be large enough to bring substantial revenues into the school. The increased revenue provided by the program fees will be used to hire faculty, increase financial aid, and begin to institutionalize Knowledge River, update technology in the school, and improve student services. The overall outcome will be to strengthen the quality of the SIRLS program and your education.

How much are the Program Fees?

--- As of Fall 2007, $500 per course for in-state. $1200 per course for out-of-state.

Bursar information

What else do I need to know about the Master's/Specialist Plan of Study (POS) ?

--- What is the Plan of Study?

The Master's/Specialist Plan of Study is essentially a contract between the student, the department, and the Graduate College specifying which courses the student will take to fulfill the requirements of the master's or specialist degree. A master's or specialist student will not be able to graduate without a Plan of Study that is approved by the department and Graduate College.

--- When should I file my Plan of Study?

SIRLS recommends that students submit their Plan of Study in the semester in which they complete 18 credits. The POS also provides Degree Certification with the expected graduation date so that the student may be included in the appropriate commencement program.

--- How do I enter Winter classes on the POS?

The Winter session is a part of the Spring semester at UA. You simply list a Winter class as a Spring class.

--- Common Errors

• Approval of POS: The student is responsible to either meet with the designated adviser, or to email the adviser with a list of courses listed on the POS. The email with the adviser's approval should be forwarded to the SIRLS office (plmitch@email.arizona.edu) to be kept in the student file.


• Missing signatures: The POS must have an original signature from the student. The SIRLS staff will gather the other required signatures and send the POS to the Degree Certification office in the Graduate College.


• Missing personal information: Be sure to list the correct degree (MA) sought and major (Information Resources and Library Science). Be sure you have listed your correct Student ID number, which in most cases is different from your Social Security number, as well as your full address with city and zip code. Please use your UA email address.


• Incorrect number of units: Be sure your POS lists thirty-six (36) units.


• Time Violation: Graduate College policy states that master's students have 6 years to complete the degree from the date of the earliest coursework being used toward the degree (i.e. the coursework on the POS). If the coursework on the Plan of Study violates this policy, the POS will not be approved.


• Excess units take outside of SIRLS: No more than six (6) units on the POS may be in courses taken outside of SIRLS. If a student transfers six (6) approved units into SIRLS, they will be unable to apply independent studies towards their MA.


• Ineligible transfer courses: To be eligible for graduate transfer credit, a transfer course must have been taken for graduate credit at a regionally accredited institution (U.S. or international), and it must have earned a grade of A or B (or equivalent, if international). Units awarded may be different than the units/credits earned at the original university if that school's credit system is different, e.g. quarter units or credits from non-U.S. institutions. The Evaluation of Transfer Credit form and two (2) official transcripts (sealed envelopes) must be submitted to SIRLS, care of Polly Lindeman Mitchell. Students must gain approval for the acceptance of the six transfer credits from their adviser and forward the approval email to the SIRLS Program Coordinator.

--- What if my approved coursework changes?

A student whose POS has been approved by the department and the Graduate College may need to make changes to the coursework, with the approval of the department, as he or she proceeds through the degree program. Changes to an approved POS must be submitted to SIRLS with the Completion of Degree Requirements form submitted when the student finishes the degree program. The POS must still be in compliance with all pertinent Graduate College policies after the changes are made, or the degree auditor will not accept the changes.

--- What if I change my graduation date?

If you change your graduation date, you should submit a new POS to the SIRLS office. The POS is kept in the Graduate College website and is easily accessible by logging in with a Student Number and PIN.

Getting Help on Campus

Getting Help on Campus

• Your advisor and/or the Administrative Staff of the School should be the first people to contact when you need assistance; however, you should know that there are other organizations on campus that are here to help you when things go wrong.
• UA "Ombudsperson" Problem Resolution Committee
  An Ombudsperson can help you deal with problems you might have with the University. They are here to provide an informal means of problem resolution if you have a University-related dispute. An Ombudsperson is not empowered to change a decision, but through intervention or a clarification of matters, information may emerge to assist in the resolution of the dispute.

Your Campus Guide to Problem Resolution

Telephone: (520) 626-5589 Fax: (520) 621-9373
Email: ombuds@w3.arizona.edu
Address: President's Office, 712 Administration Building,
P.O. Box 210066, Tucson, Arizona 85721-0066

• Graduate Student Grievance Procedure
  A grievance procedure is available to graduate students who have complaints that:
• are not remediable by other university grievance policies and procedures; and
• are within the decision-making jurisdiction of the Graduate College.

Other Sources of Assistance:

• UA Career Services
• UA Computing Resources
• Cultural & Religious Centers
• Graduate Writing Workshops
• Information for International Students
• The UA Writing Skills Improvement Program
• Health Resources
• Family Resources
• Safety Services
• Legal Services

Job & Placement Resources

Job & Placement Resources

Index to this page:

Job Directories	General Job Searches
National Job Listings	Regional Job Listings
Jobs Listservs	Library Temp Resources
Interviewing Help	Resumes & Cover Letters

For More Information:

• UA Career Services


• SIRLS List of Available Internships


• SIRLS Alumni Mentor Program

 

The following links point to excellent sources of information about employment opportunities for librarians and other information science professionals.

 

Other Jobs Directories

• ALA Library Employment Resources


• Job Resources for Library & Information Science (compiled by Mary Feeney)


• Library Employment Resources (Internet Public Library)

 

National & Worldwide Listings

• American Association of Law Libraries (AALL) Job Hotline


• American Library Association (ALA) Employment Information


• Association of Research Libraries (ARL) Career Resources


• Chronicle of Higher Education Career Network


• Jobs in Library & Information Technology (from ALA-LITA)


• Library Job Postings on the Internet (compiled by Sarah Johnson)


• Library Job Resources (University of Buffalo)


• Library Journal's JobZone


• LISjobs


• Special Libraries Association (SLA) Career Services Online


• University of Texas School of Information JobWeb

 

Regional Listings (Southwestern United States)

• Arizona Association of Law Libraries Local Job Offerings


• Colorado State Library Jobline


• Greater Western Library Alliance Job Listings


• Hitchhiker (New Mexico State Library's Newsletter)


• Maricopa County Library District: Employment Opportunities


• Mountain Plains Library Association Jobline


• Phoenix Public Library Job Opportunities


• SLA Arizona Chapter Employment Resources


• Tucson: Pima County Public Library Employment Opportunities


• University of Arizona Online Application System


• Utah Library Association Jobline


• Washoe County (Nevada) Library System Employment Opportunities

General Job Search Agencies

• CareerBuilder


• Job Web

Jobs Listservs

• LIBJOBS Library and Information Science jobs mailing list


• LIS-JOBLIST From Dalhousie University; especially good for jobs on the East Coast and in Canada


• JOBOPS The listserv run by the staff and students here at SIRLS; listings come from several different sources

Librarian Temp Job and Employment Agency Resources

LISJobs temp and temp to hire page (none Arizona, but some Federal)

• Arizona chapter of the SLA employment services page, includes some temp and job-seeking resources specific to Arizona


• ALA's listing of library temp agencies and general employment resources


• LibraryJobs Placement Services & Recruitment Firms--many of these organizations accept resumes and list current job openings

Interviewing Help

Tip pages:

 

• HowTo: Apply for a Library Job Wiki This comprehensive Wiki offers advice, links, timelines, and information you need to know when looking for a library job. This wiki is a great first stop for the new job seeker. This page pulls it all together for you.


• librarysupportstaff.com Collected links to interviewing resources and articles for library jobs. The site includes advice, tips, and information for the library job seeker.


• LISjobs.com Interviewing Tips A collection of interviewing tips from most common questions to most common mistakes and suggestions on how to prepare for your library job interviews. Multiple sources.

 

Practice interviews:

 

• 101 Commonly Asked Interview Questions This page, taken from an Illinois Library Association conference handout, lists 101 of the most commonly asked interview questions for library jobs. This is a great page to print out and quiz yourself with before an interview. These questions do get asked, often!


• Children's Librarian Practice Interview This page contains a basic sample interview for the position of Children's Librarian and the questions an applicant would likely encounter. This sample interview is good practice for any public library interview.

Resumes

• Getting Help on Your Resume A directory of resume and cover letter web resources focused specifically on Library & Information Sciences resumes (from LSO Student Handbook).


• Writing your Resume to the Job Announcement Notes from a presentation by UA Librarian Bob Diaz on how to customize your resume and cover letter (from LSO Student Handbook).


• UA Career Services Offers frequent resume workshops.

Research & Library Resources

Research & Library Resources

Index to this page:

	UA library resources		News & LIS E-Journals		Professional Organizations
	Electronic source citation		Electronic cataloging		LIS Web directories
	Search engines		Glossaries		Education & the Internet

UA Library Resources

This section will help orient you to University of Arizona Library services and the opportunities we have available for you as UA Information Resources & Library Science students.

• Library and Information Science Research Pathfinder
• OSCR Student Computing Resources for a complete schedule of FREE workshops on campus.
• Library Information: addresses, hours, services, policies, and a staff directory
• Ask a Librarian: email, phone, or real time chat with a UA librarian
• UA Library's Prototype Information Commons: a taste of what is to come when the Integrated Learning Center opens in Spring 2002
• BUBL- Online library and information journals with abstracts and some full text available

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Citing Your Sources

It has been more and more important to include electronic sources in academic writing. Here is guide to citing such sources:

• UA Library Citation Guide
• Kurt Wagner, an alumni of our program, has created the following website dedicated to assistance in citing electronic resources.

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News & E-Journals

Keep up with the latest library and technology news with these links to professional journals, news websites, and web logs.

• LIS News - often irreverent and humorous commentary on news items and happenings in LibraryLand (great archives!)
• Librarian.net - a web log with attitude
• Library Juice - a web journal with a simple interface and great content
• Library Journal Online - A major LIS professional journal; contains news, regular columns and book reviews
• American Libraries - The magazine of the American Library Association; news, commentary, and ALA Special Reports
• WIRED News
• PC World
• ZDNet

Search Engines & Online Directories

There are several online directories and search engines available on the Internet. Note that while search engines search for keywords on all available pages, directories classify sites based on submitted content. Below are just a few to get you started:

General Search Engines

 

• Google
• HotBot
• Yahoo
• Ask.com
• AltaVista
• Excite

 

Specialty Search Engines

 

• Excite Newstracker - a "personalized news clipping service."
• Moreover - a news searcher
• ditto.com - search for Web graphics by keyword
• Google Image Search - search for Web graphics by keyword
• Tile Net - listserv searches

 

Meta (multiple) Search Engines

 

• Dogpile
• Ixquick
• Metacrawler

 

Online Directories

 

• Yahoo
• About.com
• Refdesk
• FirstGov - a directory to U.S. Government resources
• Biz Link - online business reference

 

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Electronic Cataloguing

Below are some computer-based cataloging aids:

• OCLC
• OCLC Cataloging Internet Resources
• Bibliographic Formats and Standards
• Dewey Decimal Classification
• Understanding MARC Bibliographic: Machine Readable Cataloging

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Library & Information Science Professional Organizations

• American Indian Library Association (AILA)
• Association of Independent Information Professionals (AIIP)
• American Library Association (ALA)
  • Library Student Organization - UA Student Group
• American Society for Information Technology & Technology (ASIS&T)
• Arizona Library Association (AzLA)
• Arizona State Library, Archives and Public Records (ASLAPR)
• Mountain Plains Library Association (MPLA)
• Public Library Association (PLA)
• REFORMA
  • REFORMA Tucson Chapter
• Special Libraries Association (SLA)

• • Special Libraries Association - UA Student Group

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Library & Information Science Web Directories

• Librarian's Index to the Internet
• LibrarySpot
• Library Web Manager's Reference Center
• LibraryHQ
• Library Resources List
• Internet Library for Librarians
• The Spire Project

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Education & the Internet

The links below provide information for K-12 librarians and teachers.

• The Global Schoolhouse - for linking teachers, parents and kids around the world
• International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE)
• Surfing the Internet with Kids
• KidsClick! Web search for kids by librarians
• Information Power: Building Partnerships for Learning

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Glossaries

• The Information Professional's Glossary was put together by former professor Seavey and others.
• ODLIS - Online Dictionary of Library and Information Science

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