Mary E. Brown, Ph.D., Professor
Information Science

Southern Connecticut State University
501 Crescent Street, New Haven, CT 06515

Department of Information and Library Science
Fax: 1.203.392-5780 / Phone: 1.203.392-5781
Toll Free: 1-888-500-SCSU, then press 4

What you should be completing in:

501

By the end of your ILS 501 class you should have created, as html files, the template for the portfolio and placed it both 1) in a folder on your computer's hard drive that can later (when complete and before graduation) be burned to a CD and submitted to the ILS office; and 2) in a Web space, such as the MySCSU Web space provided by the university to each student (http://home.southernct.edu/~username/).

It is the student's responsibility to obtain the necessary skills and complete the template by the time ILS 501 is completed. The student should ensure they have the necessary skills by engaging the ILS 501 instructor if these skills are included in the course or learning proper skills outside of the course.

The template should contain links to significant work completed in ILS 501 and any other courses in the MLS program completed prior to ILS 501.

A sample template can be found at http://www.southernct.edu/~brownm/Portfolio_Sample.html. An alternate (simplier) sample template can be found at http://home.southernct.edu/~brownm6/portfolio_home.html.

503

By the end of your ILS 503 class you should have added to the template for the portfolio the core competencies (both general competencies of the beginning generalist librarian and additional competencies appropriate for your chosen career track, such as school media specialist, children's librarian, medical librarian, etc). These should be added to the portfolio maintained both in a folder on your personal computer and in a Web space.

It is the student's responsibility to identify appropriate professionally derived competencies and to update the template by the time ILS 503 is completed. The student should ensure they have identified the appropriate competencies by engaging the ILS 503 instructor if competencies are included on the syllabus or other professionals in the field.

The template should also contain links to significant work completed in ILS 503 and another other courses in the MLS program completed prior to ILS 503 as well as links between identified competencies and significant coursework that demonstrates that the student has obtained skills and knowledge toward the competency.

The American Library Association has published a set of eight core competencies areas, with specific competency statements under each competency area. These competencies are intended to be for the beginning generalist librarian; they can be used to identify and assess the knowledge or concepts and skills you have acquired over MLS studies. The final version of the core competencies were approved and adopted as policy by the ALA Council, January 27, 2009.

Students who have taken specialized courses such as in medical librarianship or children's services may want to include relevant subject competencies. Some of the published competencies are:

• YALSA competencies for Youth Services Librarians
• ALSC competencies for Children's Services Librarian
• ASERL competencies for Research Librarians
• SLA competencies for Special Librarians
• ACRL Competencies for Special Collections Professions
• RUSA Core Competencies for Business Reference
• Additional Knowledge and competencies statements developed by relevant professional organizations

580

ILS 580 should include a review of the capstone portfolio to ensure that it meets the listed criteria.

It is the student's responsibility to ensure their portfolio has been reviewed by the ILS 580 professor. In additional, it is strongly encouraged that each student engage up to three professionals in the field to critique the portfolio, including the resume, as a competitive tool to use in the job market either to seek a position with a new or upgrade a position with a current employer.

By the end of your ILS 580 class you should have added to the template for the portfolio copies of significant work completed in each course or independent studies or internship or project in the MLS program. In addition, the core competencies should be linked to the work that serves as evidence that you have obtained the skills and knowledge to meet each competency.

Each course

It is the student's responsibility to update the portfolio each semester with significant work completed, linking this work to the competencies, and to re-register any changes in the portfolio URL or their contact information (email, phone, address).

Relationship of the Portfolio to the Special Project

The Special Project demonstrates the application or drawing together of knowledge and skills acquired in the MLS program and is documented in the Capstone Portfolio. The Capstone Portfolio is a well-organized Web- and CD-deliverable demonstration of the body of work a student completes in the MLS program and how this work relates to professional competencies. Significant projects are typically completed in connection with upper level courses and result in a written report or other product. These products or a descriptive report describing the product and the process used to reach that product should be included in the Portfolio.

For most students it is expected that 580 will be taken about half way through their MLS program and the Special Project Proposal developed and approved in 580 will be completed by the last semester of their MLS program. A Special Project Report will then be submitted that describes the product of the proposal and documents the process by which it was completed. The Special Project Report is submitted for review; when it is "passed" a certificate of passing the Special Project will be issued.

The 580 professor will complete an audit for the portfolio; and the final audit for graduating students. The student is not complete until a CD, or where appropriate a DVD, containing the portfolio is received by the department office.

Students graduating in a semester after 580 has been completed should make arrangements with the portfolio oversight committee (via the department chairperson) for the final audit of the portfolio. The audit is not complete until a CD, or where appropriate a DVD, disc containing the portfolio is received by the department office

The Capstone Portfolio is to be submitted to the department on a CD, or where appropriate a DVD, disc and will be kept on file for review including by students, faculty, and accrediting agencies.

Students entering prior to Summer 2009

Regardless of when a student entered or matriculated into the MLS program, the exit requirements (special project/portfolio) will be approved through an audit of the portfolio/Special Project oversight committee (or the 580 professor on behalf of the committee).

Any student who believes the wording in the Graduate Catalog under which they entered called for a different Special Project requirement and wishes to be reviewed under that wording should submit a copy of the catalog under which they entered and all work that comprises the Special Project (and any mentioned preliminary work and documentation of its review) to the Special Project oversight committee for review and decision whether the Special Project is passed or failed under the wording of that catalog.

See also:Assessment Rubric for the Capstone Portfoliio

Reference: http://www.southernct.edu/ils/specialprojectrequirement/