The mission of the Wright College Library Technology Assistant(LTA) Program is to provide instruction in the necessary professional skills, progressive maturity, and the intellectual, social, and ethical values crucial to make students valuable members of the library community. Our mission is to educate the student to become a holistic and professional person. This demands not only education in the art and science of library technology, but a focus on the broader, humanistic values. Students will not only be evaluated on their knowledge but on specific skills as well. This can lead students to employment as support staff or assistants to professional librarians in cataloging, multi-media or information services of public, private, industrial, or school libraries.

The program mission is further defined in the following goals:

• to provide the library community with a graduate possessing the knowledge and skills to function capably in the library environment.
• to provide an educationally supportive environment where questioning is accepted and expected
• develop communication habits
• expose students to technological tools

Below are the learning outcomes that the library technology student must master in keeping with the program mission and goals. These outcomes serve to guide the student toward fulfilling the program goals. They form the basis for measuring what the student has accomplished upon completion of the program. These program outcomes provide the foundation for specific course objectives, found in the syllabus of every library technology course. Upon completion of the library technology program, the graduate will be able to:

1. Commit to standards of personal and professional integrity, honesty and fairness and to assess the range of one's abilities, accept responsibility for setting realistic goals, and implement a plan for personal and professional well-being. Recognize the need for increased self-development through participation in continuing education activities. Know the organizations, journals and terminology of the field. Identify significant developments in the history, organization and function of various types of libraries. Define the role of the Library Technical Assistant Self-assess skills obtained and utilize tools provided for securing employment.

2. To communicate utilizing oral, written and listening skills to effectively interact with others.
   Differentiate between general policy and policies established to meet the needs of the special clientele served by a particular library. Provide services for diverse clientele in various types of libraries

3. Analyze and evaluate information and utilize a variety of resources in making decisions or solving problems. Demonstrate knowledge of not only why something needs to be accomplished, but how. Analyze reference inquires and be familiar with the theory, practice and principles of a successful reference interview.

4. Prioritize, meet deadlines and complete assignments in a timely manner; adapt to a constantly changing workload and environment; and identify realistic goals and inventions for short and long term planning. Conduct a logical, efficient search in a precise, timely and accurate manner. Identify, Select, Analyze, Evaluate, Organize and Use materials (Books, periodicals and audio visual) & library tools.

5. Collaborate with others toward the accomplishment of common goals.
   Define roles and responsibilities as a member of the team.

6. Use technology and understand its value and purpose in the workplace.
   Differentiate between manual, computer, and outsourced tasks

The online courses for Library Technology are paced distance education courses that require active and intensive participation in online asynchronous discussions and small group collaboration. They are not independent study courses.

These core classes offered online:

• Library Technology 101-Introduction to Library Procedures (3 credit hours)
• Library Technology 102 - Multimedia Technologies(3 credit hours)
• Library Technology 201 - Library Public Service (3 credit hours)
• Library Technology 203 - Materials Preparation Procedures(3 credit hours)

These classes are 16-weeks long and follow the semester with a Mid-term and Final. In most classes there is a final project or paper some mirror projects that you might have to do, others serve to refocus your thoughts. These are not open-entry, open-exit courses There is a schedule with specific deadlines for assignments and projects, but you are not required to participate in "live" events. Therefore, you can decide when to "attend" class. Lectures, assignments, questions, and discussion all occur online, at your convenience. The asynchronous online format provides flexibility as to when and where participants study, interact with the materials, their classmates, and instructor.

For further information contact Richard Bazile