SLIS's Master of Information Science (MIS) program will commemorate this fall its tenth anniversary. With 300 almumni, the program continues to grow, helping SLIS remain a leader in the field.

MIS Beginnings

Dean Blaise Cronin started at SLIS in fall 1991, but he had begun plans for the MIS degree before his arrival. A front-page article in Vibrations, the SLIS alumni newsletter, covered the initial stage of the MIS degree during Cronin's first semester:

"The new dean met with students, faculty, and alumni for convocations, receptions, conferences, and informal conversations. In these discussions, Cronin stressed that SLIS is a School of Library and Information Science - a bihemispherical school. Like the human brain, the two halves have different functions. They will work together productively only if the breadth, scope, and potential of each side is recognized. Cronin envisions SLIS as a two-program school,' preserving the library core but improving the information side. He sees a need for continued upgrading of the School's technological capacity ... The School will also seek to develop its focus on internationalization."

When the MIS degree was established four years later, Cronin offered the following rationale in Vibrations:

"Perhaps the most tangible evidence of our commitment to growth is the launch this semester of a new MIS (master of information science) degree, together with the introduction of a revitalized MLS. Why have we chosen to follow this tack? Well, there are a number of compelling reasons, but, ultimately, they all relate to the credibility and employability of our graduates. Given that we are a school of librarianship and information science, the twin degree approach is a natural strategy for SLIS. The development of the MIS degree allows us to extend our scope, thereby affording students greater freedom of choice in defining their qualifications ... Naturally we hope that future cohorts of SLIS graduates will, as many of you have done, carve out leadership roles for themselves within the information professions. To do this, we need to ensure they have exposure to both cutting-edge ideas and faculty capable of pushing them to the limits of their ability."

Early MIS Mission Statement

The late Rob Kling, the first MIS director and professor of information science, drafted a description of the MIS in a letter to prospective students in 1996:

"Information is the fourth resource. Already used to managing money, people, and equipment, organizations are recognizing the importance and necessity of developing strategies to deal with the increasing flow of information ... Our MIS program will provide you with the intellectual foundations you need to keep current and develop an expanding lifelong career in the rapidly shifting information professions."

MIS in the Future

SLIS has long asked questions about how to make information more accessible to people. Different tools have enhanced our capabilities. Technology has expanded our options. Graduate education grows richer and more complex.

Howard Rosenbaum, MIS director associate professor of information science, sees a bright future for MIS graduates.

Amidst the complexity of information, the human element remains the key. SLIS focuses on the human dimension of information needs. This focus will remain. As technology advances, we will experience a comfort level with computer resources, just as earlier generations reached comfort levels with telephones and cars. Connecting people to answers will reach new global dimensions. Information will become more and more accessible.

Information will become more accessible, in part, because of the contributions of MIS graduates.

Our goals remain the same. We want to connect people with the information they need to answer questions. We want to participate in international information sharing. We value creativity. We value innovation.

And we hope our graduates continue to make a difference in their careers.

Posted Aug. 5, 2005