The faculty of Rutgers' School of Communication, Information and Library Studies has agreed to drop the words "Library Studies" from the school's name; the change is now headed to the university's Board of Governors for approval, possibly as soon as April.
The proposed change has prompted an article in Library Journal. It's also triggered a flurry of comments on the listservs of the New Jersey and Princeton-Trenton Chapters of SLA, and the Rutgers library school student listserv, known as SCILS_LISSA, since the change was announced Monday, Feb. 9.
Not surprisingly, students and alumni from the library science fields who have spoken up are overwhelmingly against the change; the proposal was not formally announced to students beforehand. Faculty leaders assure students and alumni that "the Department of Library and Information Science is as strong or stronger than ever" and of continued championing of librarianship. (This information is taken from notes by SCILS Dean Jorge Reina Schement and Claire McInerney, chair of the LIS Department. You can read their full notes to the student listserv here.)
Arguments in favor of dropping "Library Studies" from the school's name include:
- A growing curriculum and program focus since SCILS was formed in 1982, with those foci not adequately expressed by the current school name.
- Confusion about the various programs and majors offered by SCILS. The school offers six degrees -- three undergraduate, two at the master's level (including Library and Information Science) and one doctorate. The MLIS program is the second largest of the six, with enrollment of about 560 students.
Want to comment on the change? You can:
- Add to the conversation on this blog.
- Contribute to the NJSLA listserv. (Join here.)
To formally comment on the issue for consideration by the Rutgers Board of Governors, contact the University Secretary or Philip Furmanski, Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs.
