INFO 533 – Services to Special Groups
| Points: | 15 | Prerequisites: | None |
|---|---|---|---|
| Faculty: | Commerce & Administ | Corequisites: | None |
| School: | Information Management | Restrictions: | INFO 539, 548, 549 |
An examination of information-seeking behaviour in specific subject disciplines, such as law or business, or in specific groups within society, such as children and young adults, and the development and marketing of collections and services for these groups.
Tuition Fees
2012:
domestic $1,098.00 
international $3,075.00
Trimester 3 2012
* indicates instructor is the course coordinator.
| CRN | From/To | Days | Time | Building [Campus] | Room | Instructor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18249 | 19 Nov - 24 Feb 2013 | [Distance (NZ)] | ||||
Course Description
INFO 533 is an examination of information-seeking behaviour in specific subject disciplines, such as law or business, or in specific groups within society, such as children and young adults, and the development and marketing of collections and services for these groups. Information services are provided to a wide variety of organisations, professions and communities; this course deals with the principles of providing information services to any special group. It will enable students to analyse the needs of the group, and how to develop and manage a special information service.
Introduction to INFO 533
The course is in two parts. In the first half all students learn together. The purpose is for them to learn the essentials of providing an information service to a specific customer group. What do we know of information seeking behaviour? How can we analyse the information needs of a specific customer group or community? How best can an information service providing specific services fit into the parent organisation?
Having learned the basics, students then select a specific customer group and focus and service to that grouping the second half of the course. This will include learning about suitable resources and appropriate collection management, organising programmes and activities for special groups.
Learning Objectives
By the end of the INFO 533 course, students should be able to:
Describe and compare emerging technologies and standards used for information management
- Identify key customer groups in the organisation or community, and define their likely information needs.
- Develop a strategy for keeping the information service aligned with the parent organisation.
- List and review key resources that will be needed by the information service.
- Develop resources for teaching information literacy in context.
- Develop a communication strategy for the information service, including a business plan for a new product or service.
Course Schedule (tbc)
INFO 533 will be held in the third trimester (November-February) of the 2012 academic year. Please note this course will be offered via distance mode only.
| Week | Topic |
| Part A | |
| 1 | Customers of special information services |
| 2 | Theories of information seeking behaviour |
| 3 | Community information needs analysis |
| 4 | Strategic alignment |
| 5 | Technology and communication |
|
Part B |
|
| 6 | Specific subject materials |
| 7 | Collection management |
| 8 | Programmes and services |
| 9 | Teaching information literacy to special groups |
| 10 | Ethics and liability |
Assessment (taken from 2010)
INFO 533 is internally assessed, with the following assignments to be completed in order to satisfy the mandatory course requirements. Full details, including explanatory notes and criteria, are available under “Assessment” on Blackboard.
| Assignments | Value | Due | Length |
| 1. Essay on a topic from Part A | 50% | tbc | 2500 words |
| 2. Business plan for a new service | 50% | tbc | 2500 words |