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School of Library and Information Studies

In 1968, the School of Library Science opened at the University of Alberta with Sarah Rebecca Reed as the Director. The first Bachelor of Library Science (BLS) degrees were awarded in 1969. In 1970, the BLS program was accredited by the Committee on Accreditation of the American Library Association and thus recognized by the American and Canadian Library Associations as meeting North American library education standards.

In 1971, the School initiated a Master of Library Science (MLS) program which required the BLS and some library experience for admission. The School of Library Science became the Faculty of Library Science in 1975. In 1976, in keeping with the Canadian pattern of education for librarianship, the BLS and the old MLS were discontinued and the two-year Master of Library Science (MLS) program was established with the first two year MLS graduates receiving their degrees in 1978. The program was re-accredited in 1979, 1986, 1992, 1999, and 2006.

In 1988, the School became the Faculty of Library and Information Studies. In 1991, the Faculty became the School of Library and Information Studies within the Faculty of Education. Since 1988, the School has offered the Master of Library and Information Studies (MLIS) degree.

For all you ever wanted to know about the School, Dr. Brundin has written the History of the School entitled: From the Codex to the Computer: Twenty Five Years of the School of Library and Information Studies. Please contact the School to obtain a copy.

As an academic unit of the University of Alberta, the School of Library and Information Studies seeks to fulfill the mission of the University. The University's mission is to serve the community by the dissemination of research through teaching and the discovery of knowledge through research.

In support of the mission of the University of Alberta, the School of Library and Information Studies provides and promotes regional, national, and international leadership for the advancement of education, research, and service in the discipline of library and information studies. The School's mission is informed by multidisciplinary perspectives on user-centered issues of information access and equity.

The School of Library and Information Studies is located in Rutherford South, the original main campus library. Named after Alexander Rutherford, the first Premier of the Province, it features an architecturally significant facade modeled after Hampton Court Palace in London, and it is joined to the newer Rutherford North building by a striking glass-covered galleria. The School is wheelchair accessible. The 3rd floor is accessible by stairs and elevator.

Source: School of Library and Information Studies website.