School of Library and Information Studies at the University of Alberta

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

• The combined Masters of Business Administration (MBA) /MLIS is a course-based inter-faculty joint degree. The MBA portion of this degree is organized by the University of Alberta School of Business.^[8]
• The combined Master of Arts in Humanities Computing (HuCo) /MLIS is a three-year inter-faculty joint degree with both extensive coursework and a thesis component. The HuCo portion is organized through the Humanities Computing Department within Interdisciplinary Studies at the University of Alberta.^[9]

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

• Library and Information Students Association (LISSA): The Library and Information Students Association represents all students enrolled at the school. The Association acts as a liaison between the students and faculty and is also responsible for putting on a number of social activities including a Welcome event and the year end party.^[13]
• Future Librarians for Intellectual Freedom (FLIF): The Future Librarians for Intellectual Freedom group work to promote awareness of social responsibilities and intellectual freedom library-related issues for the public and for information professionals.^[13]

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

• University of Alberta
• Canadian Library Association
• American Library Association
• Edmonton

References

External links

• University of Alberta School of Library and Information Studies Home Page
• Greater Edmonton Library Association
• Progressive Librarians Guild Edmonton Chapter
• List of ALA Accredited Library Schools in Canada