iSchool at a Glance

Mission

People use information for analysis, inquiry, collaboration, and play. The iSchool is dedicated to shaping the future of information through research, education, and engagement. Our mission is to lead the way in understanding the use of information in science, culture, society, commerce, and the diverse activities of our daily lives—that's how we, and you, can change the world.

Goals

The campus has identified four goals as part of The Next 150 Strategic Plan. The following are statements of the goals for the School of Information Sciences within the larger University context.

  1. Maintain global leadership in education for the information professions
  2. Strengthen excellence in areas critical to international stature
  3. Foster an inclusive college community at all levels
  4. Steward resources for sustainable success and growth
  5. Increase the visibility of our social impact

Teaching and research excellence

In the 2021 U.S. News and World Report ranking of graduate professional schools of library and information science, our School was once again selected as #1. We also ranked highly in a number of specialty groups, including #1 in Digital Librarianship, #1 in Information Systems, #1 in Services for Children and Youth, #4 in School Library Media, #5 in Health Librarianship, and #7 in Archives and Preservation.

Academic programs

  • Bachelor of Science in Information Sciences
  • Bachelor of Science in Information Sciences + Data Science
  • Master of Science in Library and Information Science
  • Master of Science in Information Management
  • PhD in Information Sciences
  • School Librarian Licensure Program
  • Certificate of Advanced Study
  • Certificate of Advanced Study in Digital Libraries
  • Master of Science in Bioinformatics
  • Continuing Education

Ongoing innovation

The iSchool is distinguished by innovation that advances teaching and research and defines the information sciences. Our accomplishments include:

  • The oldest existing LIS doctoral program in the country (1948)
  • An award-winning online education program, known first as Leep (1996)
  • School librarian licensure (2001)
  • An advanced degree in digital libraries (2005)
  • A Master of Science in Bioinformatics with an emphasis on managing biological information (2007)
  • A Master of Science in Information Management (2016)
  • Distinguished publications (The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, Library Trends)
  • Preeminent research centers, including The Center for Children's Books, and the Center for Informatics Research in Science and Scholarship
  • A Bachelor of Science in Information Sciences (2020)
  • A Bachelor of Science in Information Sciences + Data Science (2022)