Information for Students

Welcome to the LIS 591 Practicum course! The Practicum is an excellent way to gain work experience and explore career options in a wide variety of professional settings.

This page provides the specific information you will need to set up and complete your Practicum. For general information about the Practicum course, please also read the Practicum Overview page.

K-12 Media Specialist Students

Students enrolled in the K-12 Media Specialist Certification program and taking the Practicum as a requirement of this program will be enrolled in LIS 591 M. Students will participate in the same LIS 591 class, including the bulletin board and focus discussion group. For complete information about the Student responsibilities and required forms, please see the K–12 Library Information Specialist Certification program requirements.

.

Timeline

It will take you some time to make the arrangements required to set up your Practicum! It is best, particularly if you are a LEEP or other off-campus student, to begin arranging your Practicum in the semester prior to the semester in which you wish to enroll in the Practicum course, LIS 591.

The length of time you will need for the planning phase depends a great deal on your efforts and success in identifying a site and securing a Site Supervisor and Practicum Faculty Advisor. Once the paper work is completed, you will be able to register for the course within a few days to two weeks. Use the Checklist at the end of this page to help you complete the procedures needed to set up your Practicum. Explore the list of Readings to read about other student experiences with Practica in a variety of work areas.

The Practicum requires 100 hours of field work at a library or information center site. You may begin working your Practicum hours prior to the semester in which you will enroll in LIS 591, stretching out the hours of work to fit your schedule and the site's schedule needs. This is particularly helpful when you wish to enroll in LIS 591 during the shorter Summer semester. The last day to complete the 100 hours of work and all other tasks associated with your Practicum is the last day of classes for the semester in which you are enrolled in LIS 591.

Designing Your Own Experience

The Practicum course is one that you design for yourself! Your teachers will include your Site Supervisor and other professionals at your Practicum Site, as well as your Practicum Faculty Advisor who monitors the academic content of your Practicum. You have the freedom to pursue the type of experience which best suits your needs and interests. And if you have spoken with other Practicum students and are interested in an experience similar to theirs, you may be able to set up a similar experience at their site or another similar site.

To begin the process, you might imagine your ideal professional job; then work to arrange the type of Practicum experience which would help best to prepare you for that ideal job. Alternately, you might be inspired by the Practicum experiences that other students have been able to arrange. Talking with other students, your GSLIS advisor or other GSLIS faculty, and professionals which you may know in the field of your interest can help give you more ideas about the type of Practicum site and activities which would benefit you the most.

Important Points

1. Please note that the Practicum cannot be set up at your previous or current place of paid employment.
2. Ensure that your supervisor at the site has professional-level qualifications in the field of your Practicum work. An important purpose of your Practicum is to work with a specialist who can provide you with professional mentoring.

Consider the experience of making arrangements for your Practicum as preparation for your future job hunting. Contacting and discussing your Practicum ideas with potential Site Supervisors and Practicum Faculty Advisors is excellent practice in Informational Interviewing, an essential career skill.

Practicum Opportunities Bulletin Board

Students should monitor the Practicum and Internships Bulletin Board to see a current listing of sites that are seeking students. If one of these opportunities is right for you, you will not need to make your own arrangements.

Practicum Activities

Your Practicum course will include these activities:

1. Work Experience - You will have an opportunity to work in a professional environment under the supervision of an experienced librarian or information specialist with the guidance of a GSLIS faculty member. Your commitment is to work a total of 100 hours for the site.
2. Special Project - Up to 25 hours of the total 100 hours you will spend on your Practicum will be spent in producing a Special Project. The Project should evolve out of a real need or problem of the library or information center. For a list of past Special Projects, see the Special Projects page. Your Site Supervisor and Practicum Faculty Advisor will work with you to design the Special Project. You are also expected to demonstrate your capacity for self-direction and creativity in the planning and implementation of the Project.
3. Additional Assignments - Rather than a part-time job, the Practicum is a course in which you learn from your Site Supervisor and Practicum Faculty Advisor. In addition to the Special Project, your Practicum Advisor may assign other academic work such as: keeping a log or journal; producing a bibliography or literature search; preparing assessments and evaluations of professional practices; or writing a final paper.
4. Forum Discussions - You will also participate in the LIS 591 course bulletin boards to share your experiences with other Practicum students and explore issues related to the profession in general.
5. Meetings - As part of your Practicum Contract, you will set up regular meetings with your Site Supervisor and Practicum Faculty Advisor to discuss your progress with the Practicum.
6. Grading - These activities are all part of the LIS 591 Practicum Course in which you will enroll. You will receive a Satisfactory - Unsatisfactory grade and earn two credits for the course.

Performance Review

At the end of your Practicum, your Site Supervisor has the responsibility to contact your Practicum Faculty Advisor to submit a written Review of your Practicum performance. Also, your Practicum Faculty Advisor has the responsibility to evaluate any assignments you have completed and contact your Site Supervisor for the written performance evaluation. You might facilitate this process close to the end of the semester by reminding both your Site Supervisor and Practicum Faculty Advisor that you are completing the Practicum, thanking them, and requesting that they contact each other to complete the review and grading process. While this is not your responsibility, it is helpful to facilitate this process by bringing it to their attention, as both have many other responsibilities.

Your final grade (S-U) will be determined by your Practicum Faculty Advisor based on the following:

1. Consultation with the site supervisor regarding the quality of work, attitude, level of commitment, decision-making ability, and fulfillment of the contract that you exhibit during your Practicum.
2. The Performance Review completed by the Site Supervisor.
3. Your active participation in the Focus Discussion(s).
4. Evaluation of your Special Project and Assignments.
5. Personal observation of and contact with you.

Making Contacts

To set up your Practicum, you will need to:

1. Find a Practicum Faculty Advisor - A GSLIS faculty member who will act as your Practicum Faculty Advisor.
2. Find a Practicum Site - A library or information center Site where you can do your Practicum field work.
3. Find a Site Supervisor - A librarian or information professional at the Site who will act as your Site Supervisor and supervise your field work.

Your Practicum Faculty Advisor

It is best to find your Practicum Faculty Advisor first, so that he or she can provide assistance through the process. However, it is possible to obtain a site and Site Supervisor first if this works better for you.

Your Practicum Faculty Advisor should preferably have research interest or expertise in the area in which you wish to do your Practicum field work. You can ask your regular faculty advisor to act as your Practicum Advisor, if you wish. In either case, your Practicum Advisor must be a member of the regular GSLIS Faculty or certain designated GSLIS staff; adjunct faculty cannot serve in this capacity.

Please see the List of Practicum Faculty Advisors for names and interests of faculty/staff who can serve as your Practicum Advisor. Set up an appointment with one or more of the individuals listed there to discuss your Practicum, and ask one to act as your Practicum Advisor. Provide the faculty member with a copy of your Resume to document your background and qualifications.

Your Practicum Advisor will approve the forms which you will prepare to set up the Practicum, work with you to develop your Special Project and other assignments, and assign your final LIS 591 grade (S-U).

Your Practicum Faculty Advisor and your Site Supervisor perform different roles and cannot be the same person.

Your Practicum Site

Your Practicum site will be a library or information center located near enough to you to be convenient, and which is likely to engage in the type of professional work that interests you. The site may not be your current or previous place of employment. Consult the Practicum Sites page for ideas about potential sites.

You might also consider the various GSLIS Outreach units which integrate research, teaching, and public engagement. Many of the units provide students with real-world professional opportunities through graduate assistantships, practica, independent study, and volunteer projects.

If you have any difficulties locating a Practicum site, consult with Lynn M. Hanson, Practicum Coordinator (E-mail -lmhanson, at uiuc.edu-, Telephone 217-333-6202, Fax 217-244-3302).

Your Site Supervisor

Once you have identified one or more potential sites, you will need to identify the names of librarians or information professionals at the site who might be able to serve as your Site Supervisor. Most libraries and information centers maintain Web sites which list their staff or professional personnel and contact information. You must find a professional with a background in library or information science as opposed to a background in another field, so your supervisor can provide you with professional mentoring.

Ask to speak with the head of the unit which interests you (who may be the department head or the organization's director, depending on the unit's size) and introduce yourself. Include a description of your graduate education to date, career interest, and the Practicum course. Provide the individual with a copy of your Resume to document your background and qualifications. Also, refer the potential Supervisor to the Information for Site Supervisors page to inform him or her of the benefits and responsibilities of supervising a Practicum student. If there is a mutual interest in the Practicum, ask the unit head if he or she will serve as your Site Supervisor, or perhaps the unit head will assign another staff member to you.

Your Site Supervisor will work with you to negotiate your Practicum Contract, supervise your field work at the site, make suggestions for your Special Project and other assignments, and write a Performance Review which will be considered by your Practicum advisor in assigning your final grade.

Advice From Students

Previous Practicum students suggest that you take your time in visiting potential sites and speaking to prospective Site Supervisors to make sure that you've found a good match for your interests and personality. They also suggest that once your Practicum is underway, get involved, ask questions, and find a Special Project that benefits both you and the site.

Choosing a Site

"I would recommend visiting a few different libraries before you decide on one."

"Practicum success relies in part on visiting the site in advance to ensure compatibility with the physical and personal environments, selecting a special project with the site supervisor to ensure mutual interest and value, and being flexible with projects as they develop."

"I think you need to choose a practicum site that you will feel very comfortable making mistakes, asking lots of questions, and learning for your experience. No matter how much experience you have, try to come in with an open mind. Everyone can always learn something."

"Take the time to have a chat with their potential supervising librarian and get a feel for the library itself. Not every library will be a perfect fit, and it's important to be comfortable with the people you're working with and in the space itself, in my opinion, in order to have the most positive experience."

"Ask questions at your site visit, so you can assess if it will be a good fit for you. Engage in a task that you will not have the chance to experience in your course work and find out a real need at your site. Dive in and ask as many questions as you can."

"Make sure that you have a clear idea of what your day to day duties are going to be. At times, I felt as if it was not exactly clear what I was supposed to be doing. I sometimes felt as if I had to go out and hunt for something to do, so I didn't feel useful at times."

"I would suggest that students really interview and talk with the supervisor, because this is the person you'll be with all semester. My supervisor was super nice, but not like me at all. She was much more conservative and did things much differently than I would. If it's possible, pick someone who you will be comfortable working with."

"I agree with others that you should visit the site and see if you would fit in with their environment."

"Choose a library that suits your needs and "sell yourself" to that library. Do not just pick one that's convenient for you to get to. Also, choose a library in the field that you want to work in (if you know)."

"My experience with my site supervisor wasn't entirely positive, but I suspect that our problems stemmed from personality differences. I think these experiences will be most valuable when the student and site supervisor have similar work habits/approaches."

"The work level was less valuable than expected, much of it was doing the same kind of work repeatedly, at the same level and it didn't closely match my knowledge or skills. Type of work and student skills and knowledge should be matched, but this takes much time and planning."

"I think having a practicum even if it is not the perfect environment would be better than not experiencing it at all. So, while I think the advice from others to be choosey or picky is good, I also would suggest not turning down an opportunity because it is not perfect."

"Talk to the librarians and the staff, see how they treat employees and students. Interview them to see what they are looking for, check and see what level of work they expect, does it fit with what you want to learn to do, and does it seem interesting."

"Visit the library before requesting the practicum. Find one you are interested in working at or has something special that you think you could learn from."

"Choose a site where you might like to work, especially if you want the experience to affirm your career choice. Also, a practicum is a great way to network and show what a valuable employee you are. Who knows? You might end up working there someday."

Planning the Special Project

"Choose something challenging so that you can really learn from it."

"Choose a special project that you enjoy and think is important. Talk to collaborators well in advance so that you can be involved in even the planning stages."

"Just jump right in and ask questions. In terms of the special project talk with your supervisor and try to come up with a project that the library is in need of as well as it being something you want to do."

"Talk to several people in the library you're interested in doing a practicum at and ask about their ideas for a special project. "

"When choosing a special project, choose something that the library will actually benefit from. Also, choose something you know a little about. It's fun to be the student, but to be able to share knowledge that you have with the library."

"As for the special project, you should talk early and often with your librarian. "

"For students considering a practicum and planning a special project, I would suggest taking a cue from the site where he/she will be working. A lot of sites have projects that are on the back burner or in the works, so the special project is a great way to make these wishes a reality for the site."

"Pick one that you will learn from."

Working at the Site

"I started my practicum the first week the elementary school started, ..., since University classes had not started yet, I was able to go every day for the week. This allowed me to see all grade levels and have a better idea of what being a full-time school librarian is like."

"One hundred hours isn’t much time for a practicum. Subtract twenty-five hours and you’re left with seventy-five hours. If you want to talk to people or see different areas of the library, start scheduling early."

"To get the most out of the experience, I would go into the Practicum with a positive attitude and be willing to do as much as you can."

"Jump in as much as possible, and be willing to do as much work as you can in order to show how hard you're willing to work. This can get you an excellent reference or two, as well as a job offer there or somewhere else."

"Day shifts in the children's department can be very quiet and the librarians don't always remember to utilize their practicum students to the fullest so ask! Sometimes all I needed to do was ask if they could use me on something and then they were thrilled to put me to work."

"To get the most out of the experience, throw yourself into it. Don't be afraid to ask questions and then roll your sleeves up and dive in. The best way to learn is by doing, not watching so start doing it as soon as you have a clue. There will always be someone there to ask questions of if you get in over your head but at least you tried and will have learned in the process for next time."

"Ask lots of questions, volunteer to try new things, eat lunch with your site supervisor and other staff members, and reflect on the experience with a friend."

"One of the last things we did was a performance review. I did a review for the organization as well as to how I thought the practicum went. It was interesting dual feedback. "

The Practicum Forms

1. Practicum Resume - The Practicum Resume form is optional. Use it to prepare your Resume, or create your own Resume format offering the same information. Provide copies of your Resume to potential Site Supervisors and potential Practicum Faculty Advisors to inform them of your background and qualifications.
2. Practicum Contract - The Practicum Contract is a required form which establishes your Practicum. Work with your Site Supervisor and Faculty Advisor to describe your Practicum in the Practicum Contract form and obtain the signature of both your Site Supervisor and Faculty Advisor on the form. Submit the completed form to the Practicum Coordinator (Lynn Hanson). The contract will include the following information:
   1. Basic data: name, address, phone and e-mail of student; site and supervisor; and faculty advisor;
   2. Rationale and objectives for the field experience;
   3. Description of the proposed Practicum;
   4. Scheduled work hours;
   5. Special arrangements, if any.
3. Special Project Abstract - The Special Project Abstract is a required form which documents the Special Project you will complete for your Practicum. Discuss your Special Project with both your Practicum Faculty Advisor and your Site Supervisor and write the Abstract which describes your Project. Obtain the signatures of both your Site Supervisor and your Practicum Faculty Advisor on the Abstract. You may complete the Abstract at the same time that you complete the Practicum Contract, or later, after you have begun working at your Practicum site. The Special Project Abstract must be submitted to the Practicum Coordinator by the mid-point date of your Practicum. Submit the completed Abstract to the Practicum Coordinator (Lynn Hanson).

Forms for Your Site Supervisor

4. As a Thank You from GSLIS, your Site Supervisor receives a Tuition and Fee Waiver. When you complete the Practicum Contract with your Site Supervisor, also provide your Supervisor with a printed copy of the Statement of Selective Service Registration Compliance (on page two of the Practicum Contract form) and ask him or her to complete the form. This form will allow your Supervisor to receive the Tuition and Fee Waiver. Submit the completed compliance form to the Practicum Coordinator (Lynn Hanson).
5. Your Site Supervisor has the responsibility to complete a written evaluation of your Practicum performance and submit it to your Practicum Faculty Advisor at the end of the semester. As a courtesy, you can make this process easier for your Site Supervisor by referring him or her to the Performance Review form. Alternately, the Supervisor can write a more informal or customized review rather than using this form.

Completing the Required Practicum Forms and Registering

To establish the Practicum, you will communicate with your Site Supervisor and your Practicum Faculty Advisor. When all parties are in agreement about the Practicum Contract and Special Project, the Site Supervisor and Practicum Faculty Advisor approve the Practicum arrangement by signing the forms.

On-Campus Student Registration

After the two forms 1) Practicum Contract and the 2) Statement of Selective Service Registration Compliance forms are signed, regular on-campus students will then submit the completed forms in person to the GSLIS Practicum Coordinator, who will examine, approve, and send the forms to registration. You will then receive by e-mail the registration number you need to register for LIS591 Practicum.

LEEP Student Registration

LEEP off-campus students will mail or fax the signed forms to the Practicum Coordinator. LEEP student registration in LIS 591 will then be completed for you by the Academic Outreach office.

Practicum Coordinator Contact

If you have any questions or need assistance at any step in the process, please contact the Practicum Coordinator:

Lynn M. Hanson
Practicum Coordinator
Graduate School of Library and Information Science
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
218 Library and Information Science Building, MC-493
501 East Daniel Street
Champaign, Illinois 61820-6211
Telephone (217) 333-6202
Fax (217) 244-3302
E-mail -lmhanson, at uiuc.edu-

Checklist

1. Read & Ask About LIS 591 - Read the Practicum Overview and this Information for Students page carefully. Contact the Practicum Coordinator (Lynn Hanson) now or at any time to explore your areas of career interest, site and Practicum Advisor possibilities, and to ask questions about the process.
2. Resume - Prepare your resume using the Practicum Resume form or a format of your own.
3. Obtain a Practicum Faculty Advisor - Consult the List of Practicum Faculty Advisors to identify potential Practicum Advisors in your area of interest. Meet with one or more potential Practicum Advisors and provide each with your Resume. Ask one to serve as your Practicum Faculty Advisor. Discuss your Practicum ideas and interests with your Advisor.
4. Obtain a Site and Site Supervisor - Identify potential Practicum sites. Refer to Practicum Sites for ideas. Contact the potential Practicum site(s) to request an exploratory meeting. You might find contact information and names of librarians or information professionals on the organization’s Web site(s). Meet with one or more potential Site Supervisors to introduce yourself and the Practicum you have in mind. Offer the potential Supervisor(s) your Resume and refer the potential Supervisor to the GSLIS Information for Site Supervisors page for information about the benefits and responsibilities of a Site Supervisor. Your Supervisor must have professional-level qualifications.
5. Faculty Advisor Approval - After you have found a Site Supervisor who agrees to work with you, contact your Practicum Advisor to discuss your plans for the Practicum and your Special Project and obtain your Advisor’s verbal approval.
6. Prepare the Practicum Contract - Meet with your Site Supervisor to negotiate and complete the Practicum Contract and obtain your Site Supervisor’s signature on the Contract. Both your Site Supervisor and your Practicum Faculty Advisor must sign the Practicum Contract.
7. Tuition/Fee Waiver Form - Also take a copy of the Statement of Selective Service Registration Compliance (on page 2 of the Practicum Contract) to your Site Supervisor and ask her/him to complete the form. This allows your Supervisor to qualify for the GSLIS Tuition and Fee Waiver gratuity.
8. Submit Forms - Submit both forms, the Practicum Contract and the Selective Service Compliance Statement, to the Practicum Coordinator. You may submit the forms in person, by fax, or by regular mail. Because the forms must be signed, they cannot be submitted electronically.
9. Register - Within two weeks, on-campus students will receive an e-mail with the information needed to register for the Practicum course.
   1. If you are a regular, on-campus student, you will register for LIS 591.
   2. If you are a LEEP student, your registration will be completed for you at the Academic Outreach office.
10. Prepare the Special Project Abstract; Due by Mid-Point of the Practicum - Meet with your Site Supervisor to finalize your plans for your Special Project. Write a description of your Project on the Special Project Abstract form, and obtain your Site Supervisor’s signature on the form. Your Abstract can be completed at the same meeting in which you complete the Practicum Contract, or you may complete the Abstract after you have begun your field work. Your Practicum Faculty Advisor must also sign the Abstract. Submit the signed Abstract to the Practicum Coordinator.
11. Complete by Last Day of Classes - Complete all your Practicum field work hours, Special Project, assignments, and participation in the Focus Discussions by the last day of classes for the semester.
12. Remind About Performance Review - Near the end of the semester, remind your Site Supervisor about the Performance Review which he or she must write and submit to your Practicum Advisor.
13. Thanks - Thank your Site Supervisor for your experience.

Updated March 6, 2008

SEARCH