Official course description:
702 Introduction to Technical Services. (3) Technical services in libraries and other information agencies; theory
and practice of bibliographic control, collection management, descriptive and subject cataloging, and technical
applications.
New Title

SLIS 702 has been retitled to better describe its content and place in the new curriculum.  It is now entitled
"Introduction to Technical Services" but note that the course description has not changed.  Now the title better matches
the description and content.

Required or Elective?

SLIS 702 is an elective course except for those who are completing the degree under the older curriculum.  For those
students 702 remains required along with 701 and 703-706.

For a small number of students who started their degree program under the old curriculum but who wish to finish
under the new curriculum, 702 can stand instead of 707 but it must have been completed before the changeover.  

Consult your advisor to make sure your program of study is in compliance with the right degree requirements
depending on when you started the degree.

SLIS 702 is required for those seeking school library media certification irrespective of the curriculm requirements
you are meeting.

What does the course cover?

In 702, you will be introduced to theories and methods related to
  • selection of information resources to be acquired or licensed by a library, archive, or information center
  • acquisition and licensing of information resources
  • organization of information for effective retrieval
  • preservation and long term stewardship of information resources

Is 702 still a prerequisite for other technical services courses?

No, 702 is no longer a prerequisite for other courses.  In fact, with the new curriculum many prerequisites are being
removed from the catalog.  There are for SLIS 730, 731, 732, 733, or 738.  For other courses, check with your advisor
or the instructor of the course to make sure.  You may also contact Heidi at any time to discuss which technical
services courses will best fit your needs.  

In general, who should take SLIS 702?

The knowledge and skills gained in this course are relevant to all types of positions in all kinds of information
agencies. More specifically, the following should consider taking SLIS 702:

  • All those who intend to seek school library media certification.
  • Those who know nothing of library technical services and want an introduction to it
  • Those who will probably work in small libraries and thus need an understanding of what goes on behind the
    scenes
  • Those who intend to work in public services but understand that knowing about technical services will
    increase their ability to provide effective information services.
  • Those who intend to be library administrators who do not have other technical services courses in their
    programs of study
  • Those who intend to be systems administrators but do not have time to take other cataloging courses for an
    introduction to technical services processes and data

In general, who should skip SLIS 702 and go directly to the other technical services electives?

  • Those who intend to work in technical services, especially catalogers.
  • Those with extensive pre-professional work experience in technical services.

Contact Heidi at any time to discuss which of the technical services courses will meet your needs.

For descriptions of and recommendations for choosing to take 730, 731, 732, 733, and 738 click here.
Heidi Lee Hoerman
SLIS 702 Introduction to Technical Services