Library and Information Science

What We Do

The Division of Library and Information Science at St. John’s University prepares graduate students for careers in libraries and other information centers. Accredited by the American Library Association (ALA), our programs draw a wide range of students — men and women representing many ethnic, social, and economic backgrounds. They are united by an enthusiasm for librarianship and a desire to help others by achieving excellence in this dynamic profession.

The Division of Library and Information Science at St. John’s University prepares graduate students for careers in libraries and other information centers. Accredited by the American Library Association (ALA), our programs draw a wide range of students — men and women representing many ethnic, social, and economic backgrounds. They are united by an enthusiasm for librarianship and a desire to help others by achieving excellence in this dynamic profession.

Our students benefit from the outstanding resources of a major Catholic university in exciting New York City. Taught by faculty who are leading information specialists, our graduates secure positions in archives, law libraries, public and academic libraries, publishing companies, research centers, and technology companies, to list just a few.

Our programs reflect the University’s Vincentian commitment to service and social justice. We equip our graduates with the technical and philosophical background required to serve the public with access to information that all citizens need to participate in our democracy.

Courses taught in the Division of Library and Information Science feature hands-on experience in the latest technologies, and are available online.

Mission Statement

Consistent with St. John’s University’s Vincentian mission, the program is designed to prepare innovative critical thinkers to become ethical leaders in the information professions.

Please email [email protected] for information on our programs, the admissions process, financial aid, and more.

About the Department

I am delighted to welcome you to the Division of Library and Information Science (DLIS), one of the most valuable graduate programs of its kind.

We are looking for students who are seeking to make a difference in society through their professional engagement as librarians or other information professionals. The DLIS faculty is committed to working with you to do this.

We are selective in admissions, our classes are small and highly interactive, our faculty members go the extra mile to help committed students prepare for this dynamic profession. We will teach you the timeless principles of the profession and their current and future application.

As a DLIS student at St. John’s, you will enjoy the outstanding academic resources of New York’s leading Catholic university, along with the unparalleled advantages of studying in the world’s information capital.

New York is home to major libraries, archives and information centers — rich sources of internships and other career opportunities. Our program reflects this quality, including involvement of the accomplished librarians, archivists and other leading information professionals you expect to find in a truly international city. 

In addition, St. John’s Vincentian tradition of excellence and service infuse DLIS with a special sense of purpose. The hallmarks of our tradition include respect for the individual; service to the needy; human solidarity; and the belief that giving one’s self makes our world a better place. Not surprisingly, DLIS is committed to using the principles of Library and Information Science to help the underserved here and abroad. Our faculty is dedicated to excellence in education, scholarship and social justice.

The Master of Science in Library and Information Science at St. John’s University offers the preparation you need for success. There are so many possibilities. You may want to be a non-profit, government or business information analyst or a law, special, academic, public, school or youth services librarian. You may pursue a career in information architect, or as an archivist in government or corporate entities. In a few years, you may even decide to change careers from one of these to another. Whichever path you choose, you will possess the knowledge, skills and experience to serve as an ethical leader in this rapidly growing field.

Sincerely,

James Vorbach, Ph.D.
Associate Professor and Director, Library and Information Science

The M.S. Library and Information Science program at St. John’s is guided by its vision of an evolving, quality program for information professionals that recognizes and adapts to change and is responsive to a dynamic market.

Assessment Plan

To assess student learning outcomes, the Division of Library and Information Science developed an ongoing review framework. Direct measures (e.g. e-portfolios, course artifact assessment) and indirect measures (e.g. alumni two-year-out survey, annual student survey, career outcomes survey, employer survey, exit survey, new student survey) are incorporated. All constituents (students, faculty, alumni and employers) are included in one or more measures.

This comprehensive assessment plan (PDF) consists of: the annual cycle of measures and advisory meetings; a list of the program goals and learning outcomes; and descriptions of the assessment measures and the advisory board. The plan was approved in March 2015 and is reviewed every two years.

Annual Assessment Reports

Immediately following the assessment cycle, the Division of Library and Information Science produces a comprehensive assessment report with specific data points highlighting student achievement, analyzing the results, and summarizing the advisory board meeting. The reports are available below.

2022-2023 Assessment Report (PDF)
2021-2022 Assessment Report (PDF)
2020-2021 Assessment Report (PDF)
2019-2020 Assessment Report (PDF)
2018-2019 Assessment Report (PDF)
2017-2018 Assessment Report (PDF)

End-of-Program Assessment

Since 2013, an e-Portfolio has served as the end-of-program assessment. The main section of the e-Portfolio is the Program Goals section, in which students provide evidence from their coursework that they have satisfied each of the eight program goals. Students write a reflection for each goal section describing how the artifact (assignment or project) satisfies the respective goal, the lessons they have learned, and any changes they would make in approaching the assignment if they were to repeat it. The most recent e-Portfolio assessment report is available in the 2020-2021 Assessment Report above.

DLIS Program Goals and Outcomes

(Revised October 16, 2022)

 

Preamble

The DLIS Program Goals are informed by ALA’s Core Competencies for Librarianship (2021) as well as the history and theoretical ideals that underpin the profession. The MSLIS Program is also designed to hone and develop competencies in technological skills and professional development. Every effort is made to stay current on relevant technologies as well as the course delivery and assessment platforms. In this fully online graduate program, students are also provided opportunities to experiment, explore, and work with a variety of cutting-edge tools, technologies, communication/presentation software and platforms, which are relevant to the profession.

 
 

As with technology, an understanding of the value and need for professional development is also embedded throughout the program. Faculty continually challenge students to think about how they will keep up with the changes that impact the profession, especially in regard to technology, given the rate at which new ones are developed and others become obsolete. The program also facilitates the development of a broad range of professional skills, knowledge, and abilities that all information professionals need, regardless of their area of specialization.

 
 

Program Goal 1: Foundations of the Profession

Objective: development of an understanding of the foundations of the profession.

This goal is specifically concerned with the early development and evolution of information as a discipline, libraries, and librarianship as a profession – as well as the concepts and issues that still underpin why we do what we do today. Therefore, the ethics, values, and foundational principles that guide the library profession are also of concern. Library professionals, regardless of their specific title and/or role, should also have an understanding of:

  1. Information in society – i.e., what happens when the creation, distribution, and manipulation of information become the most significant economic and cultural activity
  2. The role of libraries in society
  3. The laws that relate to the profession, such as copyright, privacy, freedom of expression, equal rights (e.g., the Americans with Disabilities Act), open access, and intellectual property
  4. The social, public, information, economic, and cultural policies, and trends, that are relevant to the library and information professions at all levels (i.e., local, regional, national, and international)

Artifacts selected to demonstrate competency in this goal should not focus on the history or foundations of one area of specialization/study, such as Archives or Youth Services. The focus should more broadly be focused on the issues/theories that underpin the history and development of information as a discipline, the library as an institution, or librarianship as a profession.

 

Program Goal 2: Information Resources

Objective: development of an understanding of information resources.

This goal is concerned with the use, management, organization, and evaluation of print, digital, and emerging formats and genres of information resources – as well as how these may intersect with and reflect the diverse and cultural needs of information communities. This includes an understanding of the policies, technologies, sources, systems, concepts, and issues that support information access and retrieval, which are central to the provision of reference services and collection development/management. Library professionals, regardless of their specific title and/or role, should also have an understanding of:

  1. The lifecycle of recorded knowledge and information - through all stages of use
  2. Collection management from evaluation to preservation and other curative practices
  3. The issues and principles related to the acquisition, selection, purchasing, processing, storage, and de-selection of materials
  4. Emerging information resources and be able to describe and work with a variety of these resources

Artifacts selected to demonstrate competency in this area should focus on issues/skills related to information resources in any of the varying capacities discussed above and showcase the ability to describe and work with a variety of information resources, regardless of one’s area of specialization.

 

Program Goal 3: Organization of Recorded Knowledge and Information

Objective: Development of the ability needed to evaluate, describe, analyze, and organize recorded knowledge and information.

This goal is specifically concerned with the principles, methods, tools, and goals of organizing and representing information and knowledge across cultures and identities. This includes an understanding of the ways in which culture influences the collection and description of recorded knowledge and information. Library professionals, regardless of their specific title and/or role, should be able to:

  1. Understand the principles, systems, trends, and goals involved in the organization and representation of recorded knowledge and information
  2. Implement the developmental, descriptive, analytical, and evaluative skills needed to organize recorded knowledge and information
  3. Maintain the systems of cataloging, collection, metadata, indexing, and classification standards and structures, and implement methods used to apply, create, and discover recorded knowledge and information, and the weaknesses and strengths of these systems
  4. Recognize the ways that cultural biases impact and influence the collection and description of recorded knowledge and information

Artifacts selected to demonstrate competency in this area should focus on issues/skills related to the organization of recorded knowledge and information in any of the varying capacities discussed above and showcase the ability to implement methods used to apply, create, and discover recorded knowledge and information - regardless of one’s area of specialization.

 

Program Goal 4: Reference and User Services

Objective: development of the skills and abilities needed to provide ethical reference and user services as stipulated in the Reference and User Services Association (RUSA) Guidelines for Behavioral Performance of Reference and Information Service Providers.

This goal is concerned with the underlying techniques used to locate, retrieve, evaluate, and synthesize information from diverse sources for use by varying user populations and information environments. Skills required to satisfy this goal include the ability to apply the methods and practices necessary to provide consultation, mediation, instruction, and guidance in using recorded knowledge and information. This is particularly relevant during the reference interview process, where problem-solving skills can also be beneficial in determining informational needs. Library professionals, regardless of their specific title and/or role, should also be able to:

  1. Implement principles, concepts, and techniques for understanding and assessing the information needs of a community and understand the ways the library can assist and collaborate in meeting those needs
  2. Engage in evaluation and assessment of programs, services, and partnerships, with input from the community being served
  3. Practice cultural humility while planning, offering, and evaluating library reference and user services
  4. Apply the RUSA Behavioral Competencies in the ethical practice of reference and user services

Artifacts selected to demonstrate competency in this area should focus on issues/skills related to the reference and user services in any of the varying capacities discussed above and demonstrate the ability to evaluate and assess programs, services, and partnerships, with input from the community being served - regardless of one’s area of specialization.

 

Program Goal 5: Research and Evidence-Based Practice

Objective: development of the ability to discover, interpret, and generate research that supports the library, the profession, and/or personal professional development.

This goal is primarily concerned with the ability to discover, engage with, and synthesize existing research from the field in order to align relevant findings with one’s own professional development and/or institutional needs. The focus is on cultivating research skills demonstrating the application of research methods, and an understanding of methods of data analysis and application of research tools. Relevant findings should also align with one’s own professional development and/or institutional needs. Library professionals, regardless of their specific title and/or role, should also:

  1. Understand how professional and cultural values may influence research at any stage as well as the barriers that impact access to research
  2. Recognize the ethical and appropriate application of key research methods, techniques, and designs in the field, including the generation, analysis, evaluation, and presentation of data, and the utilization of research tools
  3. Understand the tension between research and its application to professional practice
  4. Understand the importance of engaging in the research foundations and scholarly communications that will enable continued professional development, knowledge, and sharing

Artifacts selected to demonstrate competency in this area should focus on issues/skills related to the research and evidence-based practice in any of the varying capacities discussed above, while demonstrating an understanding of the ethical and appropriate application of key research methods, techniques, and designs to practice - regardless of one’s area of specialization.

 

Program Goal 6: Management and Administration

Objective: development of the ability to apply the principles of management and administration across all aspects of the information setting to ensure that it meets the needs of the community.

This goal is concerned with the principles of effective and just supervisory practices, human resource management, training and development, fiduciary planning and oversight, as well as the assessment and evaluation of library services and their outcomes. Library professionals, regardless of their specific title and/or role, should also be able to:

  1. Develop and support diverse and equitable partnerships, collaborations, networks, and other structures with all collaborative partners, consortia, and within communities served
  2. Employ the concepts behind, issues relating to, and methods of principled, transformational, and change management leadership, in addition to other leadership philosophies
  3. Effectively plan, manage, implement, and close projects using the concepts of leadership methods
  4. Participate in strategic communication with colleagues throughout the organization and the community

Artifacts selected to demonstrate competency in this area should focus on issues/skills related to the management and administration of libraries and library services in any of the varying capacities discussed above. They should also showcase the ability to apply the concepts behind, and methods for, the management, administration, assessment, and evaluation of library services and their outcomes - regardless of one’s area of specialization.

 

Program Goal 7: Social Justice

Definition: The ALA Core Competencies (2021) define social justice as both a process and a goal that includes the knowledge and skills necessary for library professionals to create library collections, services, programs, as well as the management of facilities and personnel, which foster equitable access to, and participation of, all people to utilize the library.

Objectives: to facilitate an understanding of past and current inequities within libraries and foster the capacity to address issues of oppression, privilege, and power within our libraries and between the library and its community.

This goal is concerned with issues regarding social justice, equity, diversity, inclusion, and anti- racism that professionals often face in libraries. Satisfying this goal requires an understanding of one's own cultural identity, including positionality related to power, privilege, and oppression, and an awareness of how that influences the ways in which they interact within the community and among decision makers. This also includes the ability to recognize, challenge, and change practices, services, and programs that have traditionally replicated dominant as well as marginalized systems. Other actionable behaviors that support competency in this area, which library professionals, regardless of their specific title/role, should aim to accomplish:

  1. Work toward an organizational climate that encourages, supports, assesses, and rewards work that promotes social justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion
  2. Incorporate social justice and inclusion through outreach and partnership with diverse groups and communities in order to expand inclusive collections, staff, programs, and services
  3. Equitably distributing library staff, collections, and facility resources among all user groups
  4. Seeking ongoing professional development opportunities to raise awareness and develop strategies that address issues of power, privilege, and oppression

Artifacts selected to demonstrate competency in this area should focus on the actionable behaviors and issues relating to social justice, equity, diversity, inclusion, and anti-racism in the field, as described above - regardless of one’s area of specialization.

 

ALA Core Competencies: https://www.ala.org/educationcareers/sites/ala.org.educationcareers/file

You can gain valuable real-world experience by interning in a variety of settings, including libraries, museums, archives, galleries, corporations, and non-profit organizations.

Internships are for credit only and must be completed under the supervision of a professional and credentialed librarian. The number of credits awarded for the internship can vary from one to three, depending on your program of study and the host site’s requirements.

Internship Handbook

Host sites, host-site supervisors and interns will find valuable information here:

  • Internship Handbook (PDF)

Host Sites

For a list of current opportunities, please visit the Division of Library and Information Science blog

Applying To Be a Host Site

St. John’s University is always seeking internship host sites that can provide meaningful internship opportunities. Each organization must complete and submit an Application to Host Intern Form (PDF).

To learn more about internships, e-mail us at [email protected].

In order to receive your Master of Science degree in Library and Information Science, you are required to submit an e-Portfolio that serves as an end of program assessment. The e-Portfolio will also help you showcase your work to future potential employers. It includes a professional philosophy, resume, and artifacts from coursework with reflections that document proficiency in the program’s eight goals:

    1. Develop an understanding of the foundations of the profession;

    2. Develop an understanding of information resources;

    3. Demonstrate ability to organize recorded knowledge and information;

    4. Apply technological knowledge and skills to practice;

    5. Apply reference and user services;

    6. Master research methods;

    7. Experience continuing education and lifelong learning; and

    8. Apply key concepts of administration and management.

Refer to the Program Goals and Outcomes for a complete overview.

You must submit your e-Portfolio for evaluation in either your last semester of coursework or the semester immediately following. We encourage you to build your e-Portfolio throughout your program of study. Digication is the platform used to create e-Portfolios. 

 

We encourage our alumni to maintain their relationship with the program by mentoring current students, sharing their professional achievements, and making contributions to endowed scholarship funds that help the next generation of librarians and information specialists succeed.

Mentoring

The Division of Library and Information Science offers a mentoring program that partners Library and Information Science alumni with current students to share professional experiences related to the student’s area of specialization.

Professional Achievements

We also look forward to news of our alumni’s professional achievements, awards, and appointments and circulate this information through our Division e-mail newsletter. Please let us know of your career milestones so that we can acknowledge your success and inspire future alumni.

Contributions to Endowed Scholarships

Many of our alumni have benefited from the generous scholarship funds that have helped them finance their graduate education at St. John’s. These funds depend upon the continued support of our alumni and include the Rev. Brian J. O’Connell, C.M. Scholarship and the Mildred Lowe Memorial Scholarship Fund. Please contact us to support one or more of these vital funds, or to contribute funds toward events, receptions, awards, and program development.

If you wish to participate in the mentoring program, share professional achievements, or make a donation, please contact the Director, Dr. James Vorbach, at 718-990-6200 or [email protected]