| CODE | LIA5040 | |||||||||
| TITLE | National, Public and Special Libraries | |||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 05 - Postgraduate Modular Diploma or Degree Course | |||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 7 | |||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 5 | |||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Library 福利在线免费 and Archive Sciences | |||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | The study-unit will cover three major typologies of information-providing institutions, namely national, public and special libraries. These will be discussed both within an international and the national context, in terms of their evolution over time and current role within a rapidly-changing information seeking scenario. Besides lecturing, the study unit will comprise on site hands-on application visits to the Malta National Library, Malta Central Public Library and a Special Library. Study-unit Aims: 1. Provide a clear distinction as to the differences between these three main types of libraries; 2. Trace their historical evolution in Malta and beyond; 3. Discuss their roles that go beyond providing information, namely the permanent preservation of the national published output (National Libraries); the encouragement of a culture of reading and the broadening of the intellectual outlooks (Public Libraries) and the provision of specialized information services to those require them (Special Libraries); 4. Discuss the way in which such traditional information-providing institutions are adapting to the digitalization of information and the extent to which have they changed and/or are undergoing such a process in order to remain relevant. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Distinguish between the different major types of libraries that characterize practically every basic information structure on a national level; - Explain how such institutions have contributed and still contribute towards current and long-term information needs on a national and international levels; - Recognize the peculiar current situation where these institutions are seeking ways to adopt to the digital age in order to remain relevant; - Compare and contrast he behind the scenes work carried out by such institutions. 2. Skills By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Undertake tasks required within a national/public/special library scenario; - Evaluate the suitability of traditional print and of digital information for each of the three types of libraries; - Devise practical ways in which such institutions may remain relevant. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Main Texts: - (2004-12) Staikos, K. (trans. by Cullen, T.). The History of the Library in Western Civilization. London: 4 vols. - (2009) McMenemy, D. The Public Library. Facet. - (2006) Goulding, A. Public libraries in the 21st century : defining services and debating the future. Ashgate. - (2014) Calhoun, K. Exploring Digital Libraries: Foundations, Practice, Prospects. Facets. - (2008) Kumar Dhiman, A. A handbook of special libraries and librarianship. ESS Publications. Supplementary text: - (2005) Lesk, M. Understanding Digital Libraries. Elsevier. Other readings will be indicated during the course of the study-unit. |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture and Fieldwork | |||||||||
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| LECTURER/S | William Zammit |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2025/6. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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