Letter from the Director

This fall marks the 75th Anniversary of the Division of Library Science (DLIS) at St. John’s University. We plan to celebrate together at a banquet in April. More details will come soon. Our history of achievement continues with positive change and accomplishment.

Following the successful ALA reaccreditation review and associated compliments on the quality of our faculty, staff, and students, we launched a semiannual symposium for students and alumni, welcomed a new faculty member, Christine Angel; renamed our degree program; expanded our mixed mode and online offerings; received word from the American Society for Information Science and Technology (ASIS&T) that one of our students, April Earle, had written the best paper of all students in the field; and continued to receive outstanding reports about the quality and accomplishments of our students and alumni.

Students and participating alumni have responded very favorably to our semiannual symposium. It provides an opportunity to hear from leaders in the profession, share expertise with each other and make new acquaintances. ALA President Maureen Sullivan keynoted the most recent symposium and leading expert our next one is scheduled for November 3rd at the Manhattan Campus. We hope you will join us.

Recently New York State approved a change in our degree title. DLIS requested the change to better meet students’ needs in the current professional environment, based on research and discussion involving alumni, students and faculty. Beginning with students entering the program in September 2012, graduates will receive the title of Master of Science in Library and Information Science (MS LIS). This is the most common title for the ALA accredited degree. Students entering before that date but graduating after September 2012 will have a choice between the MLS and the MS LIS. Students graduating in September 2012 or before will continue to have the MLS. Some of our alumni requested a change in degree title. We have not been able to make that happen, although we are continuing to seek that opportunity.

More exciting changes are approaching as we look forward to celebrating our 75th anniversary. Watch for details in the next newsletter.

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