PRATT-SILS School of Information and Library Science

Mission: The School of Information and Library Science educates professionals to be responsible leaders in the information professions pursing careers across a broad range of information environments. Our student-centered programs blend practice and theory and integrate emerging technologies into the curriculum providing students a high-level academic experience. Interdisciplinary collaborations, partnerships and internships enhance educational opportunities and serve as a bridge to professional practice.

Our academic programs imbue students with the values, skills and knowledge of the LIS field and with the ability to practice high ethical standards, support intellectual freedom and equal access to information. We emphasize excellence in teaching and learning, research and service to the community so that our graduates become productive users of technology, advocates for libraries, literacy and lifelong learning. Committed to reflecting the diverse nature of our global society in the digital age through creativity and innovation in LIS education and appreciation of individuals, we inspire our students to develop their professional voice becoming a contributing member of the profession.

A New Vision
for the 21st Century

Distinguished as the oldest LIS school in North America and the only ALA-accredited graduate school of information and library science based in Manhattan, Pratt-SILS was established in 1890 and has been continuously accredited since 1923, when accreditation was first introduced to the field. Building upon Pratt's national reputation as a leading school in art and design, we strive for leadership in LIS education through our focus on Cultural Informatics in the context of World Information, Society & Environments (WISE) and advanced by faculty and students research placed at the heart of our enterprise. Our programs celebrate the information professions as informed by the principles of a democratic and diverse society. We form strong ties with our professional community and with the wider arts and humanities community collaborating with academic, research, corporate and museum libraries to support student internships, mentoring and career opportunities for our graduates.

By 2011, Pratt-SILS will be a recognized leader in LIS education and cultural informatics research. With programs distinguished by academic excellence, we will have earned an international reputation that attracts outstanding students from around the world. Our programs will be responsive to the needs and interests of students and we will make meaningful educational connections with our external community to benefit and enrich our student learning experience. Our international programs and community will signal our commitment to diversity and as active participants and contributors to the global information society in the digital age.

SILS offers the M.S. in Library and Information Science, which is accredited by the American Library Association; M.S. LIS/M.S. Art History dual degree program in library science and art history; the joint M.S. LIS/JD program with Brooklyn Law School; and the post-masters Advanced Certificate in Library and Information Studies. New York State certification as a Library Media Specialist is available within the M.S. LIS program.

Program Objectives: Viewed through the lens of information studies in the digital age from digital libraries to global networks and emerging social and cultural contexts and conversations of Web 2.0, key learning objectives of the MSLIS program enable students to:

A. Organize, collect and preserve information for access, communication and use.

1. Employ a range of methods to organize information such as cataloging and metadata.

2. Develop content rich systems and services that respond to users' interests and information needs.

3. Understand and use open access and proprietary systems.

4. Use a range of digital tools, programs and applications for Web and Internet information services.

5. Apply information science theory and research and work within best practices.

B. Design and employ user-centered information services and systems which facilitate interaction, participation and education.

6. Evaluate user and community needs and apply results to information design.

7. Develop education and literacy programs to meet needs of users and to contribute to developing life-long learners.

8. Design Web-based and Internet information systems and services using HTML, XML and various software programs.

C. Perform within professional contexts

9. Carry out professional practice reflective of a free and democratic society

10. Work within the field’s code of ethics and apply a high standard of personal ethics cognizant of human and civil rights.

11. Be reflective of social and cultural values of diversity, global reach, equality and individual rights.

12. Keep current with information policy, politics, law and legislation.

13. Participate in professional organizations relevant to the information professions.

14. Integrate interdisciplinary approaches to the information professions to broaden and bring awareness to the contributions of LIS to other fields and to expand the boundaries of the profession.

15. Develop excellent communication and teaching skills.

D. Use research and assessment to advance the LIS field

16. Evaluate information environments and user services

17. Use LIS research and publications to advance and inform practice.

18. Address information issues of the digital age and develop strategies for libraries in the 21^st century.

E. Develop skills in leadership, participatory management and creative and innovative thinking.

19. Promote a dynamic and forward-looking work environment keeping pace with change and new technology and media.

20. Embrace diversity in the workplace and in the marketplace of ideas and intellectual capital.

21. Develop long-range and strategic plans through inclusive processes that respect all constituencies.