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Purpose – This chapter serves to address the need for teaching/instruction courses in Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) programs.

Design/Methodology/Approach – This chapter includes testimony from current Library and Information Science (LIS) professionals, an analysis of the myriad types of job postings for information professionals, and a review of specializations and course offerings at the 59 American Library Association-accredited programs in the United States.

Findings – This chapter shows a gross lack of opportunity for library school students to learn and practice teaching, course or program design, and assessment of user behavior or response, even though those working and hiring in the field of information are expected to plan lessons or programs, teach or train others, and assess or evaluate those programs and fellow practitioners.

Traditional level inverter technology has drawbacks in the aspect of Total harmonic distortion (THD) and switching losses for higher frequencies. Due to these drawbacks, two-level inverters have become unprofitable for high-power applications. Multilevel inverters (MLIs) are used to enhance the output waveform characteristics (i.e. low THD) and to offer various inverter topologies and switching methods.

MLIs are upgraded versions of two-level inverters that offer more output levels in current and voltage waveforms while lowering the dv/dt and di/dt ratios. This paper aims to review and compare the different topologies of MLI used in high-power applications. Single and multisource MLI's working principal and switching states for each topology are demonstrated and compared. A Simulink model system integrated using detailed circuit simulations in developed in MATLAB®–Simulink program. In this system, a constant voltage source connected to MLI to feed asynchronous motor with squirrel cage rotor type is used to demonstrate the efficacy of the MLI under different varying speed and torque conditions.

MLI has presented better control and good range of system parameters than two-level inverter. It is suggested that the MLIs like cascade-five-level and NPC-five-level have shown low current harmonics of around 0.43% and 1.87%, respectively, compared to two-level inverter showing 5.82%.

This study is the first of its kind comparing the different topologies of single and multisource MLIs. This study suggests that the MLIs are more suitable for high-power applications.

This paper aims to show the importance of the Master’s degree in the library and information sciences in learning the essential values of library and information science culture.

The paper is a discussion based upon the author’s decades of experience as a librarian and library science professor.

Cultural values help unify the diverse profession of librarianship. Librarians working in different types and sizes are able to cooperate because of these shared values.

The paper does not build upon any research studies.

The paper provides ways in which library and information science schools can help students learn the important elements of library culture.

Library culture helps librarians bond together and work toward common goals to benefit the profession.

The value of library culture as a unifying factor has not often been systematically investigated. This paper also integrates current trends in librarianship including the increased focus on information technology.

Multilevel inverters (MLIs) have been studied widely over the past two decades because of their inherent advantages and interesting features. However, most of the newly introduced structures suffer from the increased standing voltage of the switches, which is defined as the maximum off-state voltage on the switches, losing modularity and increased number of direct current (DC) voltage sources. The purpose of this study is to propose a new hybrid MLI topology to alleviate the mentioned problems.

The proposed approach in this study includes using the advantage of two different topologies and combine them in a way that the advantages of both of the topologies are achieved. Therefore, the approach is to design a hybrid topology from two existing topologies so that a new topology has resulted.

This paper proposes a new hybrid MLI with lower power electronic switches and lowers DC voltage sources in comparison with the classic structures. The proposed MLIs maintain a balance between the number of switches, the standing voltage on the switches and the number of DC sources. The topology description, modulation method and comparative study have been presented. Also, another more reduced structure is presented for higher power factor operation. The MATLAB simulation and experimental results of a nine-level inverter have been presented to verify its operation.

The hybrid topology has a new structure that has not been presented before. It is important to emphasize that the topology combination and achieving the hybrid topology is wisely accomplished to improve some features of the MLI.

This study aims to analyze the perceptions of the graduates of Master in Library and Information Science (MLIS) program at Kuwait University about coursework, faculty, instructional methods, instructional facilities, fieldwork, comprehensive examination, and research component.

A survey instrument was used for electronic administration. Eighty graduates of the MLIS program of Kuwait University were identified as population of the study. Sixty‐seven alumni (86.3 per cent) participated in the survey.

Based on the analysis of 61 usable responses, it was found that the faculty and core courses received highest mean scores for satisfaction whereas elective coursework, fieldwork, and comprehensive examinations received the lowest. Qualitative analysis of the participants revealed that the alumni wished broadening the breadth of the elective coursework and fundamental changes in fieldwork and comprehensive examination. Many of them were quite critical of instructional methods and facilities.

Results cannot be generalized to other graduate programs. Yet, these provide procedural guidance and insights about the way these studies of perception can be conducted.

This input can be meaningfully applied in further development of the MLIS program.

It is original research that carries value for the assessment of graduate programs of library and information studies.

This follow‐up report of 133 job advertisements for systems librarians in American Libraries during 1996‐1997 compares the results of a content analysis of job advertisements and a survey of employers and newly hired systems librarians. The report shows that, although a majority of employers are satisfied with their newly hired systems librarians, they indeed have higher expectations for the positions in terms of qualifications and responsibilities. There is a great gap between job advertisements and reality in regard to systems librarians’ education requirements, work experience, job responsibilities, and areas of knowledge and skills. The types of libraries, to a certain extent, influence systems librarians’ actual qualifications and job responsibilities.

Although there is great potential for diversity, library and information science (LIS) is a relatively homogenous profession. Increasing the presence of librarians of color may help to improve diversity within LIS. However, recruiting ethnic minorities into LIS has proven to be difficult despite various initiative including scholarships, fellowships, and locally focused programs. The central questions explored in this research can be divided into two parts: (1) Why do ethnic minorities choose librarianship as a profession? (2) What would motivate members of minority groups to join a profession in which they cannot see themselves?

The research was conducted through semi-structured, qualitative interviews of 32 ethnic minority students from one of four ethnic minority groups (African American, Asian American, Hispanic/Latino, and Native American) currently enrolled in an LIS graduate program. Eleven themes emerged from the data: libraries, librarians, library work experience, LIS graduate program, career plans and goals, education and family, support, mentors, ethnicity and community, acculturation, and views of diversity.

The findings seem to support many assumptions regarding expectations and career goals. The findings related to libraries, librarians, mentors, and support illustrate that many recruitment initiatives are starting in the right place. However, the most noteworthy findings were those that centered on identity, acculturation, and diversity because they dealt with issues that are not often considered or discussed by many in the profession outside of ethnic minority organizations.

Purpose – The purpose of this chapter is to identify and discuss the need to inculturate the skills necessary to maintain and expand funding resources for libraries through training at Master of Library Science (MLS) and Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) programs in political literacy. Political literacy is positioned here as a necessary skill for two key reasons: professionals with better interpersonal and organizational communications skills will be better equipped to lead libraries, and the significant external threats to library funding need to be addressed in a political dialog that requires fluency in political negotiation that is acquired through use.

Approach – Recent trends in civil society and party politics, including the rise of the Tea Party and other organized anti-tax groups, can and do impact the future fundability of libraries. In addition, a reinvigorated form of federalism is taking hold at all levels of government, and the implications of a diminished policy and funding role for state and federal aid is discussed in relation to libraries as tax-supported entities.

Findings – A recent practical example of an elective in political literacy at San Jose State University is discussed. Examples on how to add political literacy training to the curriculum that reference the way intellectual freedom and access have been taught for generations are held up as viable models, including ways to address the values-based conflicts that are inherent in the topics.

Value/Originality – This chapter will be useful to anyone evaluating or designing curriculum for MLS/MLIS and iSchool programs who is considering ways to improve management skills and professional preparation. The chapter concludes with a call to action for leaders in the academy to swiftly and comprehensively integrate both political and economic theory as well as the practical skills of activism and community organizing into the MLS/MLIS core curriculum.

Many universities require students enrolling in masters programmes to submit a thesis for the completion of the programme, and the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) is no exception. This study investigates and identifies research trends of the MLIS students’ theses for the past nine years at IIUM. The study also investigated features and characteristics of MLIS students’ theses. A total of 20 theses approved from 1994 to 2000, by the university, were analyzed. Findings showed that, information technology (OPAC, CD‐ROM and the Internet) was the most popular research area (50 per cent) among MLIS students. Other areas such as information needs, library management, library use, and publishers/publishing only received one research each, while none of the students explored the history of libraries, cataloguing and classification, indexing and abstracting, cooperation or documentation. On the other hand, a majority of the theses targeted universities or academic libraries, faculty members, job design and reference services, while a small number of the students targeted other areas such as Islamic economy, biomedical scientists, copyright, etc.

New Zealand postgraduate library and information studies qualifications have undergone a process of continual revision since the first training school for librarians was established in 1946. This chapter begins with an overview of the history of postgraduate library studies qualifications in New Zealand. It continues with a discussion of the establishment of qualifications for record keepers (archivists and records managers), followed by a description of the most recent developments, which established a generic Master of Information Studies qualification, and the associated Postgraduate Certificate and Diploma of Information Studies. It concludes with a discussion of the various drivers for these changes, and the ways in which the relationships between the various professional associations and interest groups and the education providers have evolved.