The School of Library and Information Science at Kent State University Announces New Specialization in Digital Librarianship

 
            The School of Library and Information Science (SLIS) at Kent State University has developed two new curriculum options in digital librarianship. Beginning Fall Semester of 2008, students enrolled in the school’s Master of Library and Information Science (M.L.I.S.) program may choose a specialization area in Digital Librarianship. In addition, persons already holding an M.L.I.S. or M.L.S. degree can earn a Certificate of Advanced Study in Digital Librarianship.

            Responding to the growing need for qualified, trained information professionals in the area of digital librarianship, SLIS at Kent State has developed a curriculum that offers students a digital librarianship specialization focusing on the technical and human aspects of the Web and digital libraries.  

Students completing the specializations will have the education and expertise needed to hold professional positions in libraries, archives, museums and other organizations which conduct projects to create digital resources and make them available on the Internet.  

            Students opting for a specialization in Digital Librarianship as part of their 36-hour M.L.I.S. degree program will be able to enroll in two newly-developed courses, “Digital Libraries,” to be offered Fall Semester of 2008, and “Implementation of Digital Libraries,” to be offered Spring Semester of 2009. These courses will augment existing M.L.I.S. courses that focus on digital library education including “Metadata Architectures and Implementations,” “Information Uses and Services”, “Digital Image Processing and Collection Management,” "Digital Preservation" and selected courses offered in both the M.L.I.S. and M.S. in Information Architecture and Knowledge Management degree program.

The Certificate of Advanced Study in Digital Libraries is intended for professionals who already hold an M.L.I.S. or M.L.S. degree.   The 18 hours of study required to complete the certificate focus on technical infrastructure of the digital library; theoretical and historical foundations; knowledge organization; collection development and maintenance; information access and utilization of digital libraries; and social, economic, policy and professional issues.

“The demand for digital librarians and digital libraries has warranted the restructuring of the library and information science curricula” said Richard Rubin, director, Kent State University School of Library and Information Science. “Education and training of digital library librarians has emerged as a major task during recent years and Kent State is providing the knowledge and skills for future professionals in this area of librarianship.”

Kent State University’s School of Library and Information Science is the largest single master’s program at the university. With over 600 students, the school is ranked nationally by a U.S. News and World Report survey as 19th in the country and the third largest masters program in library and information science.  Classes are offered at the Kent and Columbus campuses, at various distance learning sites throughout the state, and online.

For programs and application information, visit www.slis.kent.edu.