Course Information

IST 653 / 3 Credits / Summer 2025
May 27 - July 3, 2025
Fully Online (100%)

Instructor Information

Instructor, Mark Wolfe

Program in Information Science
Login Schedule: Daily, 10am & 5pm
Email: mwolfe@albany.edu

Textbook

None

Description

This course provides an overview of both the theoretical and practical aspects of digital libraries. Topics covered include background history, types and formats of digital content, collection development and selection, digitization techniques and technologies, metadata standards, access, preservation, and project management of digital libraries. A special emphasis will be placed on hands-on experiences, using digital library tools and techniques in a team-based learning where appropriate.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, students will:

demonstrate a foundational understanding of digital libraries, including terms and concepts
demonstrate knowledge of essential tools, techniques and processes to support a digital library
utilize real life tools to complete practical tasks related to digital libraries
be able to employ a digital library in a real life context

Grading

Discussions & Exercises 15%
Group Homeworks 25%
Tests 30%
Group Final Project 30%

Units

The first unit of class will begin Tuesday, May 27th. While the majority of the course content is released from the outset, I do release exercises and homeworks timed with the course content for that Unit. The due date and time for each homework will be stated when released. For class discussion and pacing of the course, it’s important that we as a class do one unit at a time.

Computer

Students must have access to a computer and a high-speed Internet connection, and a technology back-up plan in order to take the course. The course is geared toward PC and Mac users.

Group Work

Except for the two tests, all assignments will be group oriented projects. You must help each other to succeed via the discussion tool. Homework 1 is the only assignment that you will not collaborate on class-wide, instead you will have an assigned partner(s). All other group assignments will entail resolving problems together, but everyone will hand in or post their individual assignment.

Readings

Readings are due on the Unit day they are listed on the syllabus. For example, it is assumed you will complete Unit 2’s Carr (2012) reading by the start or during the early part of Unit 2. Because the class has no “meeting time,” you should not use that flexibility to push everything to the very end of the unit. The presentations, exercises, and assignments are created with the assumption that you’ve already completed the readings. The sooner you begin the unit’s materials, the more relavant your questions and participation on Brightspace will be.

Discussions & Exercises

The success of this class will be greatly enhanced by active participation from all students. Questions, comments, and useful information for fellow students and the instructor are welcome.

Required Software

We will be using several programs during the course, all of which will be available on to download for free.

Homeworks & Final Project

Your homeworks will consist of various hands-on assignments as well as written reports. The final project and ALL homeworks will completed as team-based assigments, but you will hand in individually usually via email.

We use the Discussion tool in Brightspace to facilitate student collaboration and as a venue for asking questions. The group assignments and final project will use the Discussion tool to facilitate assignments. As with any community, the more you put into it, the more you will get in return.

Hand in assignments on time! Contact me if you cannot meet a deadline, if not, I will mark assignment as a zero. Additionally, students who fall behind will most likely suffer on the following assignments and tests, and ultimately their final grade. You should devote 8-10 hours a unit to the course.

Tests

You will take two tests. Test 1 is administered via Brightspace and Test 2 is a “take home” exam.

Submission Process

Submit all assignments as directed, it may be in email or on Brightspace. Homework submissions to the instructor should include a subject heading like the following, “IST 653 / Homework 3 submission.” Homework will be graded and returned to you via email. I will give you a grade for all homeworks, projects and tests via email. For exercises, I will give credit for your submission to the Discussion board merely by my posting comment or response.

Disability Support

Reasonable accommodations will be provided for students with documented physical, sensory, systemic, cognitive, learning and psychiatric disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring accommodation in this class, please notify the Director of the Disability Resource Center (Campus Center 137, 442-5490). That office will provide the course instructor with verification of your disability, and will recommend appropriate accommodations. The class follows the University’s policy on Disability Access and Inclusion Student Services (DAISS).

Academic Integrity

The class follows the University’s policy on Academic Integrity.

Syllabus