Program

This program leads to a Library Media Minor for traditional undergraduates and provides continuing
education for professionals working in or seeking employment in the Library field.  The coursework
is designed to satisfy the Library Media Endorsements for School Librarians in South Dakota and Wyoming.

The program is fully online, and as such does not cater to on-campus student projects and activities.

Careers

If you complete this program in conjunction with a bachelor’s degree in teaching, you will be able to work in a school library media center.  As well as the background and experience to help you get jobs in a public or academic library setting as well.

This program was converted to the online format fall, 2006.  The first students are expected to complete the program Spring, 2008.  However, previous graduates of the on-campus version of the Library Media program have gone on to work in School Libraries, Public Libraries, Academic Libraries, and some have gone on to graduate school in Library and Information Science.

Benefits

The current shortage of Librarians is expected to grow in the coming years. This makes this program especially relevant for anyone seeking an entry level career as a library professional.

This is the only Library Media education program in South Dakota and Wyoming. It is offered completely online so it provides flexibility for students' schedules. You will have many of the same students in your classes and will be able to get to know others in the library profession in South Dakota and Wyoming, forging bonds that will be helpful throughout your career.

Current Students

Current students are very pleased with the program, especially with the flexibility of the new online environment. By participating in class discussions these online courses offer as stimulating and informative an environment as found in any face-to-face classroom setting, and faculty members are committed to prompt feedback. 

Student comments include:  “I am very pleased with this program.  It has given me the opportunity to get college credit for courses on-line.  This is the only way I am able to access classes at this time.  One needs to be self-motivated for them to work, but it is clearly the way to go in this rural region”.

“I drove three nights a week from Rapid City to Spearfish.  This program is much more convenient for the student who is working.  It allows the student to work at hours that fit their schedules rather than having to be at a class at a certain time.  The requirements are still there, but the hours are more flexible”. 

“I feel that we have a classroom ‘atmosphere’ by responding to other students’ mail.  I can do my homework at any odd hour of the day or night.”

Graduate School

This program will introduce you to the concepts, issues, procedures, theories and practice of library work – the goal of graduate-level education in library and information science.  Any student completing the Library Media Minor at BHSU will easily be substantially more prepared than the average university graduate entering any accredited M.L.S. or M.L.I.S. program in North America.