Directed Fieldwork (LIS 590)
for Law MLIS Students

Recognizing that education must extend beyond the formal classroom, the faculty of the Information School encourages students to participate in learning situations outside of the classroom.

The Directed Fieldwork (DFW) program, which is required for Law MLIS students, is designed to provide opportunities to work in an information environment under the supervision of an experienced professional mentor. During a fieldwork placement, the student works to meet meaningful learning objectives that have been mutually defined by student and supervisor.

Directed Fieldwork (LIS 590) historically has been one of the iSchool’s most popular courses. The fieldwork experiences of our students reflect time-honored traditions as well as the dynamic growth and change currently occurring in the library and information professions.

Law MLIS students have done their DFW in some of the country’s best law libraries, including academic, firm, corporate, and public state or county libraries. With excellent connections throughout the U.S. and the world, former students have worked at the U.S. Supreme Court library, fine academic institutions such as Berkeley, Yale, and the University of Texas, and many firms and county law libraries.

AALL Annual Conference

As part of the Directed Fieldwork Program, Law MLIS students are also required to attend the American Association of Law Libraries (AALL) Conference, held in July of each year. At the Conference, students participate in the many networking and educational opportunities offered by AALL. They also take advantage of the comprehensive career services available at the Conference, including the opportunity to interview for professional positions. The AALL Conference is held in a different city each year; students must subsidize their own costs of registration, travel and attendance. However, scholarship and grant opportunities are available.

Benefits of Directed Fieldwork (LIS 590) for Students

The potential benefits of Directed Field work include:

  • Gaining practical experience using information skills
  • Applying theoretical knowledge
  • Networking, interacting, and communicating with professionals
  • Developing a professional identity and self-awareness
  • Becoming aware of employment opportunities
  • Experiencing an information setting consistent with professional goals
  • Experiencing an information setting that is new and different
  • Providing service to others
  • Testing theoretical concerns against reality
  • Understanding the role of the sponsoring site within the community

Host Site Benefits and Responsibilities

Directed Fieldwork Forms

For more information regarding Directed Fieldwork, contact Penny Hazelton, Director of the Law MLIS program, by visiting Room 230, Condon Hall, by e-mail, or by calling 206-543-4089.

Students:
Download the Student Evaluation of Directed Fieldwork Experience Form: [PDF] [MSWord]