2. STUDENT   

• as a block during the April – August period, or
• concurrently with classes during the Fall or Winter Term of the second year

Students seeking Practicum placements are required to:

• submit an electronic Practicum Application
• submit an up-to-date electronic resume
• meet to discuss placement opportunities with the MLIS Program Coordinator.
  

2.1. Practicum Options   

Extended Work Placements
In place of a 100-hour work placement, students may submit an application for one the following Practicum Options:   

1. Pre-Admission Employment Option
   Students who have worked in an information setting prior to admission to SIM, under the supervision of an experienced information professional, and who have accumulated a minimum of 500 hours continuous pre-admission employment may qualify to use this experience as their Extended Work Placement Practicum.    
   
2. Pre-Graduation Employment Option
   Students who work in an information setting after their admission to SIM, under the supervision of an experienced information professional, and who have accumulated a minimum of 500 hours employment in that setting may qualify to use this pre-graduation experience as their Extended Work Placement Practicum. This employment may be acquired throughout the academic years, and/or as a summer job or internship before the final year of study.   
   
3. Formal Internship Option
   Formal internships may be undertaken by qualified students who have completed their first year of study. They offer training and full-time work experience throughout the summer, and may include evening and weekend work during the fall and winter terms. These internships are of at least 500 hours in duration, and are paid positions. Students with formal Internship positions may qualify to use this pre-graduation experience as their Extended Work Placement Practicum.    

2.2. Practicum Locations

1. Within the Halifax Regional Municipality
   The MLIS Program Coordinator is the formal liaison with institutions within the Halifax Regional Municipality, and is responsible for negotiating Practicum placements. To ensure appropriate distribution of requests for HRM, all Practicum placement requests must come from the School. Obtaining a placement in the Halifax region cannot be guaranteed. Students are encouraged to consider a practicum in other
   
2. Outside the Halifax Regional Municipality
   Students are responsible for negotiating their own placements outside the Halifax Regional Municipality.    

2.3. Practicum Requirements:

1. Information Session attendance
   • Meeting held in October/November by the MLIS Program Coordinator for first-year students to discuss the Practicum, course selection and summer employment    
     
2. Practicum Applications to be submitted prior to meeting with the MLIS Program Coordinator
   • Last day for appointments: February 1    
     
3. Student Practicum Reports submitted by the following dates: 
   • 100 hour Practicum Work Placements: two weeks after completion of the placement
   • Extended Work Placements: February 1 for students intending to graduate in May
     
4. Supervisor Practicum Reports submitted by the following dates:
   • 100 hour Practicum Work Placements: two weeks after completion of the placement
   • Extended Work Placements: February 1 for students intending to graduate in May
     
5. Registration for INFO 0590 Practicum
   • Winter term of the final year in the MLIS Program    
     
6. Requirements of the Practicum 
   • completed by March 15th of the student's graduating year

2.4. Practicum Registration

• Register for INFO 0590 in the term following the completion of the Practicum placement and report submission.
• Last possible registration opportunity: Winter term of the final year in the MLIS Program

2.5. Student Responsibilities

1. Attends the Information Session
   
2. Submits the appropriate form electronically prior to meeting with the MLIS Program Coordinator.
   
3. Meets with the MLIS Program Coordinator, to determine how and where the Practicum requirement will be met.
   
4. Corresponds in a timely, professional manner with all parties involved with the Practicum
   
5. Determines feasibility and negotiates Practicum placements with potential host organizations outside the Halifax Regional Municipality.
   
6. Responds in writing, within 3 business days of receipt, to the MLIS Program Coordinator's notice of placement confirming willingness to accept the placement. Please note: Acceptance of a proposed placement constitutes a binding contract on the part of the student to undertake the work involved.
   
7. Acknowledges and agrees that they are subject to the policies, procedures, and regulations of the facility where the Practicum placement is completed.
   
8. Acknowledges and agrees that the facility where the Practicum placement is completed has the right to require the student to leave the facility because of the performance or conduct of the student.
   
9. Acknowledges and agrees that they have the responsibility to maintain appropriate behaviour while in the facility where the Practicum placement is completed, particularly concerning privacy and confidentiality of records and all other information related to that facility. All such information is confidential and cannot be communicated except as outlined in the policy of the facility. If confidentiality is breeched, the penalty may include termination of the Practicum placement.
   
10. During the course of the placement, informs the MLIS Program Coordinator about any problems as soon as they arise.
    
11. Prepares and submits a Practicum Report for evaluation by the MLIS Program Coordinator by the required date, and before presentation of a copy to the Practicum Supervisor.
    
12. Meets the deadline established by the School for the completion of the requirements of INFO 0590.

2.6. The Student's Report

The Student prepares and submits an electronic Practicum Report for evaluation by the MLIS Program Coordinator by the required date. The report provides a description and an assessment of the work placement experience.
Reports should have a cover page containing the student's name, Practicum location, supervisor's name and the dates of the placement. The report should be written in narrative form, word-processed with numbered pages. Any Style Guide may be used, but it must be applied consistently. Spelling, grammar, punctuation and clarity of expression are incorporated into the evaluation of the report.

As an integral part of the Practicum, the report should be clear and concise, and succinctly cover the following points:

• type of organization, the size and nature of the community it serves
• resources and services of the organization
• internal administrative structure of the organization and its relationship with external authorities (e.g. Board of Governors, Trustees, etc.)
• particulars of the area of assignment, including if applicable:
  • various services and functions
  • organization of work and personnel
  • relationship to other areas of the system

Students must evaluate:

• the elements of the placement, and their own particular assignment;
• the relevance of the Practicum to the School's curriculum as a whole
• a self-assessment of their preparedness for the work placement
• comments, suggestions and recommendations relating to the Practicum are welcome and appreciated

2.7. Student Forms