Program Design
This project created a template for future efforts in this area. While many LIS programs inject assessment and UX components into their existing courses, a specialty in this area is not yet commonplace. By offering concentrations in two different areas—academic libraries and specialized information agencies—this project offered students the opportunity to tailor their educational experience to the type of organization of their choice. Additionally, the skills learned are not limited to any particular type of information institution. Libraries of all types and sizes are in need of assessment, and the curriculum developed will be generalizable to all libraries. The benefits of the proposed project will be visible even before the first cohort graduates as students build their skills through collaborative hands-on experiences at area organizations. The potential for mutually beneficial partnerships formed by the assessment research experiences at participating organizations should be reproducible and desirable for a number of LIS schools and information organizations.