VISIT
  Two non-book service units or collections in libraries (or type of library)
AND
ONE non-book distributor like Media Play, Borders, etc. of your choice.  Alocal mom and pop store is just as good as large chain stores for this assignment.

PRODUCE (photographic prints) a visualized critique (descriptive essays are not requested).

• Your critique should be a list with appropriate visuals illustrating ten "improvement recommendations" for each non-book collection. Ten is minimal level for a passing mark.
  
• Present your recommendations on the course WBB or if unable to scan your images, you may U.S. mail the assignment to me using photographs properly labeled. You can create a WebPage or blog for this assignment, if you like, and post the URL on the WBB for the class to access your work.  E-mail me your URL when you want your work marked.  Keep in mind that if you post this or any assignment on a WebPage or Blog, it will be out there for everyone to see...including the library you critiqued.
  
• Working in a group of five or so is recommended, but not required.
• Request and receive the approval from the library prior to starting this project.  You cannot just go to a library and expect to take pictures without prior approval.  Make it clear you do not want to take pictures of either library users or staff. The Towns of Amherst and Tonawanda libraries should not be used.  Just across the boarder in Canada there are some wonderful libraries worth visiting for this assignment.
  
• Use this Media Library Visitation Checklist to help identify areas/topics to be critiqued.
• Look up the word critique to make sure you know what is expected. You are NOT to prepare a descriptive essay or list of descriptive statements for this assignment.
  
• Some librarians become very nervous when students say they are going to "critique" their non-book collection. You might want to phrase your request in a less threatening manner like: "We want to visit your library and take some pictures to share with our classmates."

• Please do not create an improvement by misplacing material, equipment or pointing your camera just to have something so you can make a recommendation. 

ONE NON-BOOK  REVIEW

The Assigment Defined

• Select one non-book format. i.e. film, CD, DVD, original art, etc.

• Then select a specific work or an audio-visual item from one of those categories.  i.e. A CD by Tore Amos, or a painting by Picasso.

• Write a complete and detailed one page review detailing all the bibliographic information and your qualifications as a reviewer.
FOLLOW THE REVIEW CRITERIA PRESENTED IN CLASS. Link three (3) on-line reviews of the same item you selected.  Since creativity and originality count, consider such when sending this assignment.  You can  e-mail the URL of the WebPage or blog assignment link to me or send this assignment via U.S. Mail.

Rationale

The Assignment Defined

 PUBLICATIONS

• Physically examine and learn about the scope of each of publications (see "Publications" below.  You should bring what you have learned into the class discussions when appropriate.
  
• An example would be:
  Index to Multimedia Information Sources

PARTICIPATE ON THE WBB WEEKLY

The Assignment Defined

• The WebBulletin Board (WBB) is where LIS 519 students can find the class Notes and discuss issues pertinent to this course.
• The LIS 519 board is "ELLISON".
• Bring additional information, citations, facts, research, along with your critical insight to the class Notes and discussion each week.
• Do not include opinions, feelings, and beliefs alone.  Statements MUST BE SUPPORTED with research findings in a graduate level class.