Mission, Goals & Objectives

The Division of Library and Information Science is dedicated to providing a graduate-level education which will prepare today's students for professional positions in the complex and expanding field of library and information sciences. Committed to librarianship as a service profession, the Division seeks students who demonstrate the intellectual dexterity and the communication skills which will enable them to meet the informational, cultural, and/or recreational needs of a diverse clientele. The Division reaffirms the fundamental principles and ethical traditions of the profession, and strives to incorporate these precepts in a course of study which will meet the requirements of a dynamic and demanding society.

Goal I: To prepare students for successful careers in the fields of libraries and information. In order to meet this goal, the Division has the following objectives:

  • to offer a broad range of courses which will provide students with options for specializations and concentrations, and prepare them for work in a variety of institutions and settings
  • to teach courses with enthusiasm and diligence
  • to meet regularly with students on an individual basis for advisement, guidance, and consultation
  • to design creative projects and assignments which will encourage students to explore the possibilities of the profession
  • to impress upon the students such principles as community service, work values, equal access to information, and intellectual freedom
  • to create awareness of current issues and professional concerns through colloquia, forums, and programs
  • to provide direct contact and experiences with active professionals through internships, visits to institutions, and guest speakers
  • to insure that all students can organize information; apply management theories; identify, evaluate, select, utilize and maintain resources; utilize new technologies

Goal II: To make significant contributions to the growth and advancement of the profession. In order to meet this goal, the Division has the following objectives:

  • to provide faculty with opportunities and resources for productive research
  • to encourage faculty to participate actively in professional associations
  • to provide a warm and enthusiastic atmosphere conducive to learning, and to perpetuate an atmosphere of collegiality among faculty and students
  • to maintain awareness of new technologies, theories, and issues that confront the profession
  • to work closely with students to enable them to identify their own research interests

Goal III: To reaffirm the significance of library science within a global context. In order to meet this goal, the Division has the following objectives:

  • to demonstrate the role of the librarian and information professional in all disciplines
  • to collaborate with other departments and schools in the development and implementation of programs
  • to raise public awareness of librarianship and its value
  • to provide students with a broad world-view of library and information science and an understanding of the importance of the international exchange of information