Syracuse University School of Information Studies

The Syracuse University School of Information Studies is a center for research and education in the policy, systems, service, and technology aspects of information science and library science. After 70 years as a library school, the school's name was changed to reflect the growing information field, and new programs were added throughout the 1970s, 80s, and 90s. The school aims to merge technology and management skills with an emphasis on human needs and behavior.

Degree Programs

The School of Information Studies offers an undergraduate degree, three master’s degrees, and two doctoral degrees, as well as several certificates of advanced study.

* The bachelor’s degree in information management and technology focuses on information systems and personal services. It prepares graduates for careers in data administration, database management, systems analysis, web design and development, and consulting.

* The master’s degree in library and information science (MSLIS), ranked third in the nation by "U.S. News and World Report"Fact|date=September 2008 and accredited by the American Library Association, teaches traditional library knowledge, as well as technical and leadership skills. The school also offers an MSLIS with a concentration in school media, ranked fourth in the nation by "U.S. News".Fact|date=September 2008

* The master’s degree in information management is an interdisciplinary program covering topics in information science, information technology, and management. An executive version of the program is offered to students who already have substantial experience. Graduates work in IT, project management, and consulting at corporations, non-profits, and government agencies. The program was ranked first in the nation by "U.S. News and World Report".Fact|date=September 2008

* The master’s degree in telecommunications and network management features a marriage of technology, policy, and management. Graduates work in the field as analysts, engineers, and project managers.

* The Ph.D. in information science and technology facilitates in-depth study of information in a variety of settings and incorporates theory and research from many academic disciplines. Graduates of the doctoral program go on to careers in the library, information, computer, and management sciences departments at universities and research centers.

* The Doctorate of Professional Studies (D.P.S.) in Information Management is an executive doctorate program launched in 2008. According to the announcement from the school, the D.P.S. program's "diverse curriculum will prepare [graduates] for advanced placement opportunities in executive and senior information management positions in the public, private, defense, academic, and non-profit sectors."Fact|date=September 2008

The school also offers certificates of advanced study in school media, information security management, information systems and telecommunications, and digital libraries.

History

The first library science courses were offered at Syracuse University in 1896 at the University’s von Ranke library, with university librarian Henry Orrin Sibley and his wife as the first and only instructors. In 1907, the program moved to the Carnegie Library, and, in 1908, it received accreditation from the American Library Association. The program eventually broke off from the College of Liberal Arts in 1915 and began granting graduate degrees in 1934.

The School of Information Studies emerged in 1974 when Dean Robert Taylor suggested the School of Library Science adopt a name that would signal a new direction. Throughout the 1970s, he updated the library science curriculum to keep pace with the changing times. In 1977, the Education Resources Information Center (ERIC) Clearinghouse was launched at the school,Fact|date=September 2008 and, in 1980, the country’s first master’s degree in information resources management (IRM) became the second program to join the curriculum.Fact|date=September 2008

The 1980s marked an increase in faculty research and grants that established the School of Information Studies as a leader in the field.Fact|date=September 2008 During this time, the undergraduate program in information management and technology was introduced. In 1983, the school moved from its old home in several large houses on the edge of campus to Huntington Hall. The school moved again in 1989 to the Center for Science and Technology. In 2005, it moved to a new location on the campus Quad.

The 1990s brought many innovations to the school, including the telecommunications and network management program; AskERIC, one of the first online reference services; and a distance learning program.Fact|date=September 2008 Several new research centers opened, including the Convergence Center, the Center for Digital Commerce, and the Center for Natural Language Processing.

iSchools Group

The iSchool at Syracuse was a founding member of what today is called the iCaucus, which represents 19 iSchool members from the United States and Canada that focus on the interaction between information and people.Fact|date=September 2008

Deans of the School of Library Science

* Wharton Miller, 1952-1956
* Wayne S. Yenawine, 1956-1964
* Antje Lemke (interim dean), 1964-1965
* Edward B. Montgomery, 1965-1968
* Roger C. Greer, 1968-1974

Deans of the School of Information Studies

* Robert Taylor, 1974-1981
* Evelyn Daniel, 1981-1985
* Jeffery Katzer (interim dean), 1985-1987
* Donald A. Marchand, 1987-1994
* Jeffery Katzer (interim dean), 1994-1995
* Raymond von Dran, 1995-2007
* Elizabeth Liddy, 2007-Present

References

* [http://ischool.syr.edu/ School of Information Studies site]
* [http://syr.edu/ Syracuse University site]
* [http://ischools.org iCaucus site]
* [http://ala.org/ American Library Association site]
* [http://ischool.syr.edu/2006.pdf 2006 US News and World Report]