Syracuse University School of Information Studies

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Syracuse University School of Information Studies
Motto	The Original School for the Information Age
Established	1896
Dean	Elizabeth D. Liddy
Location	Syracuse, New York, USA
Affiliations	Syracuse University
Website	http://ischool.syr.edu/

The Syracuse University School of Information Studies, also known as the iSchool, is a center for research and education in the policy, systems, service, and technology aspects of information science and library science. Established in 1896, the School of Library Science changed its official name in 1974 to reflect the growing information field. Syracuse was the first library school to make this change, and therefore claims to be "the original school for the information age." Starting in the 1970s, the school began to add new programs focused on information studies that aim to merge technology and management skills with an emphasis on human needs and behavior.

Contents 1 Degree Programs 2 History 3 iSchool Caucus 4 Deans of the School of Library Science 5 Deans of the School of Information Studies 6 References

[edit] 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 of Science 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 of Science 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 has been ranked first in the nation by U.S. News and World Report^[1].

• The Master of Science in Library and Information Science (MSLIS), ranked third in the nation by U.S. News and World Report ^[2] 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^[3].

• The Master of Science in Telecommunications and Network Management features a combination 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."

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

[edit] 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 University's Carnegie Library, and, in 1908, it received accreditation from the American Library Association. The program eventually split 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 ^[4]. 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,^{[citation needed]} and, in 1980, the country’s first master’s degree in information resources management (IRM) became the second program to join the curriculum.^{[citation needed]}

The 1980s marked an increase in faculty research and grants that established the School of Information Studies as a leader in the field.^{[citation needed]} 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's offices and classrooms moved again in 1989 to the Center for Science and Technology, which also housed the Chemistry and Computer Science programs, among others.

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 complete distance learning program for graduate degrees.^{[citation needed]} Several new research centers opened, including the Convergence Center, the Center for Digital Commerce, and the Center for Natural Language Processing were also established.

As the new millennium approached, the school had outgrown its space in the Center for Science and Technology. Dean Raymond von Dran began working toward establishing a new home for the iSchool on campus, announcing his vision for the school's permanent home on the Syracuse University Quad. In 2008, von Dran's vision was realized when the School of Information Studies celebrated the iOpening of a completely redesigned Hinds Hall. The building, with its sleek and modern design, earned the American Institute of Architects Central New York Chapter Citation Award that same year^[5].

[edit] iSchool Caucus

The iSchool at Syracuse was part of the original "gang of three" that founded what is today called the iCaucus. This caucus represents 24 iSchool members from the United States and Canada that focus on the interaction between information and people.^[6]

[edit] 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

[edit] 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 (interim dean), 2007-2008
• Elizabeth Liddy, 2008-Present

[edit] References

1. ^ "Library and Information Studies Specialty Rankings: Information Systems". http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-library-information-science-programs/information-science. Retrieved 2009-06-01. 
2. ^ "Library and Information Studies". http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-library-information-science-programs/rankings. Retrieved 2009-06-01. 
3. ^ "Library and Information Studies Specialty Rankings: School Library Media". http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-library-information-science-programs/library-media. Retrieved 2009-06-01. 
4. ^ Olson, Gary; Grudin, Jonathan (2009), "TIMELINES The information school phenomenon", interactions 16 (2): 15-19, doi:10.1145/1487632.1487636, http://portal.acm.org/citation.cfm?id=1487632.1487636# 
5. ^ "Hinds Hall renovations win AIA CNY design award". http://ischool.syr.edu/newsroom/news.aspx?recid=583. Retrieved 2009-06-01. 
6. ^ "iCaucus Origins". http://www.ischools.org/history/origins/. Retrieved 2009-06-01. 

• School of Information Studies site
• Faculty research overview
• Syracuse University site
• iCaucus site
• American Library Association site
• 2006 US News and World Report

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