OVERVIEW

The focus of the course is to understand and improve principal and basical skills to manage and valorize a bibliographic collection in a library. From the classical theories to the present Library science, the course propose the most important application principles of library science and digital library. Bibliopraghy and Information science will complete the framework of the discipline.

AIMS AND CONTENT

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The aim of the course is to have knowledge about: history of libraries; bibliography; library science, digital libray and library management; SBN cataloguing rules (only 12-credit option).

PREREQUISITES

Not required

TEACHING METHODS

Lessons (80 hours of teaching) are held in presence. Attendance, although not mandatory, is recommended. Only students who participate in the lessons in presence are considered attending.

The teacher, at the specific request of students, allows the use of Teams platform.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Main topics covered in the lessons:

1. What is Library Science?
2. Bibliographia, an inquiry into its definition and designations.
3. Types of Libraries – Academic, Public, Special and National.
4. Public Library: Functions and Objectives.
5. Historical Development of Libraries (with guided tours and meetings with librarians).
6. The Library Services of the University of Genoa (in collaboration with the librarians of the BSSU).
7. Library Management. Book Selection Tools and Principles, Library Acquisition, Circulation,  Maintenance and Stock Verification.
8. The Care and Handling of library Material (with references to the main Italian legislation governing the protection of cultural heritage).
9. Reference and Information Services.
10. Exhibits and Loans for external exhibitions (with guided tours and meetings with the curators).
11. Personal Libraries and Special Collections.
12. Digital Library.
13. Reference and Information Sources.
14. Research Methodology.
15. Bibliographic Citation.
16. The Library Catalogues.
17. Library Legislation and Library Acts: Legal Deposit, Copyright Law, Code of the Cultural and Landscape Heritage.
18. Cataloging Tools and Resources. Standards of Bibliographic Record Formats and Description. Authority Control. Mapping of Subjects in Library Classification Schemes.
19. Cataloguing Exercises.

9 CFU: topics 1-17

6 CFU: topics 1-16

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

See the bibliography in italian.

If you are a non-attending student contact the Professor by e-mail

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

EMANUELA FERRO (President)

STEFANO GARDINI

SANDRA MACCHIAVELLO (Substitute)

LESSONS

LESSONS START

Tuesday 4 October 2022

2. semestre: Tuesday 14/02 at 10.15 a.m.

Class schedule

BIBLIOGRAPHY, LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SCIENCE

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Oral examination, that includes:

• presentation on a prepared topic
• interviews or discussions to assess a student’s knowledge or skills
• homework assignments: final presentation 
• cataloging exercise (only for the 12 CFU course)

Non-attending students are invited to send by e-mail at least 15 days before the exam the homework assignments proposed during the year and published on Aulaweb, which will be discussed and corrected during oral examination.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The exam will focus on the topics of the course, the commission will evaluate the achievement of teaching objectives (at the level of minimum skills or excellence), verifying if the student has reached an adequate level of knowledge.

The student's ability to critically discuss the topics, to have elaborated and adapted the concepts presented in class and to have integrated the information coming from the various topics through personal study will be evaluated. The use of correct terminology will be evaluated and the quality of the exposure will be considered.

Details on how to prepare for the exam and the degree of depth of each topic will be given during the lessons.

For students unable to attend classes, the exam will focus exclusively on the bibliography.

Exam schedule