School of Library and Information Studies at the University of Alberta

The School of Library and Information Studies
Motto Quaecumque vera (Latin)
Motto in English
 Whatsoever things are true
Type Public, Flagship
Established 1968
Chairperson Dr. Toni Samek
Administrative staff
 Over 30 staff and faculty (9 full-time tenured/tenure-tracked faculty), 2 adjunct professors, 22 seasonal lecturers
Location Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Colours Green and gold[1]
         
Affiliations University of Alberta, Edmonton
Website uofa.ualberta.ca/education/departments/school-of-library-and-information-studies

The School of Library and Information Studies at the University of Alberta (also known as UAlberta, U of A) in Edmonton is part of the Faculty of Education. The School offers a Masters program in Library and Information Studies (MLIS) that is accredited by the American Library Association, as well as combined programs with a Master of Arts in Humanities Computing (MLIS/MA in HUCO) and a Masters of Business Administration (MLIS/MBA). The School also offers the only completely online MLIS in Canada and is the only ALA accredited school on the Canadian prairies.[2]

History

After World War II, with the economy recovering, demand for both libraries and knowledgeable library professionals greatly increased and the need for more widely available library education began to increase within library associations across the prairies. In 1965 the University of Alberta Board of Governors at last decided to create a library school at its Edmonton Campus.[3] The plan for the new School of Library Science was completed in 1966, and the first students began the Bachelor of Library Science(BLS) program in 1968.[4]

Originally, the school was located in the Education Library at the University of Alberta (Now the HT Coutts Education Library). In August 1970 the school was moved into Rutherford Library (now Rutherford South) where it remains today.[4]

The first program that was offered by the School of Library Science was the BLS. This program began with an intense 4-week orientation, which included a road trip across the prairies to visit different libraries in Canada.[3][4] This program was granted accreditation by the American Library Association in 1970.[5] This Accreditation was also granted to the first graduating class, which graduated the year before. The Master of Library Science was added to the programs offered in 1971 as a one-year degree designed to be completed after the BLS. In 1974 this program was updated to become a 2-year MLS program in order to maintain the standards which had been set for library education across Canada.[4][5] In 1975 the School changed its title to become the Faculty of Library Science. One year later, the BLS was removed in 1976. Twelve years later the Faculty of Library Science changed its name again to the Faculty of Library and Information Studies, offering the current Master of Library and Information Studies degree that we see today. In 1992 the Faculty of Library and Information Studies was placed within the Faculty of Education, and renamed as the School of Library and Information Studies. In 2003, the joint HuCo MA-MLIS Degree was introduced.[4] More recently, the School introduced the first Canadian completely online MLIS degree in 2013 and in 2014 the joint MBA-MLIS was established. The School has maintained its ALA Accreditation since 1970 and continuing through to today.

Programs

MLIS

The school offers both an online and in-person course based MLIS. These two programs involve completing 48 credits of coursework (16 courses), which can be done either full-time or part-time.[6] The school also offers an in-person Thesis-based MLIS. This involves the completion of 13 courses and a thesis paper (equivalent to the same 48 credits as the course-based MLIS).[7]

Combined Programs

Doctorate of Philosophy

The School also offers an interdisciplinary Ph.D. This Ph.D. must be done alongside another department on campus with an established Ph.D. program.[10]

Work experience opportunities

SLIS offers a 100-hour practicum as a Fall or Spring elective to all students enrolled in the program. Students are able to take their practicum placements in any library located around Canada or internationally.[11]

Partners Week is a program that connects students with LIS professionals in Edmonton, to discover more about work environments, different types of employment and issues facing librarians in the workplace.[12]

Student Groups

Alumni

The Library and Information Studies Alumni Association (LISAA) represents all alumni of the SLIS program, alongside graduates of the previous Bachelor of Library Science degree.[14]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Our Colors". University of Alberta. Retrieved February 12, 2012.
  2. ↑ "About Us", School of Library and Information Studies
  3. 1 2 John G. Wright and others, "University of Alberta: School of Library and Information Studies", 2004
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 "SLIS 40th Anniversary Commemorative Issue", "LISAA Newsletter", Winter 2008
  5. 1 2 "ALA Accreditation", University of Alberta School of Library and Information Studies
  6. ↑ "On-campus MLIS", University of Alberta School of Library and Information Studies
  7. ↑ "Course-Based or Thesis Route", University of Alberta School of Library and Information Studies
  8. ↑ "MBA/MLIS Combined Program", University of Alberta School of Library and Information Studies
  9. ↑ "MA/MLIS in Humanities Computing", University of Alberta School of Library and Information Studies
  10. ↑ "Interdisciplincary Ph.D", University of Alberta School of Library and Information Studies
  11. ↑ "LIS 590 Outline", University of Alberta School of Library and Information Studies
  12. ↑ "Partners Week", Partners Week
  13. 1 2 "Student Groups", University of Alberta School of Library and Information Studies
  14. ↑ "Library and Information Studies Alumni Association", University of Alberta School of Library and Information Studies
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