Posted Dec. 8, 2017
The School of Library and Information Science has been accepted as a member of the iSchool organization, an international consortium of institutions dedicated to the information field. SLIS is the first — and only — program in South Carolina to land a spot on the list.
“Being an official part of the iSchool will open up opportunities for our undergraduates and our doctoral students,” said David Lankes, director of the School of Library and Information Science. “It is a recognition that we are a program with a growing research and scholarly reputation.”
Founded in 2005, the iSchools organization is comprised of about 80 schools worldwide. According to the website, members “conduct ground-breaking research while also preparing the next generation of scholars, researchers and practitioners.” Those accepted into the consortium must be committed to research, the training of future researchers and to advancing the information field.
Joining the iSchools movement is another step forward for SLIS, which has seen increased growth and visibility this year. Enrollment in both the graduate and undergraduate programs has risen, particularly in the relaunched information science major. And in November, SLIS hosted a meeting of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) that drew library representatives from around the country, giving the school a unique opportunity to showcase faculty and student work.
“Becoming an iSchool really puts SLIS on the international stage as a thought-leader and innovator,” said Tom Reichert, dean of the College of Information and Communications. “Information studies is a rapidly evolving field, and we’re excited to play a role in shaping its future.”