Syracuse University School of Information Studies Records
A description of its records at the Syracuse University Archives
Summary |
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| Creator: | Syracuse University. -- School of Information Studies. |
| Title: | Syracuse University School of Information Studies Records |
| Dates: | 1900-2016 |
| Size: | 43 boxes and 5 loose volumes (29 linear feet) |
| Abstract: | The School of Information Studies Records contain administrative files, faculty meeting minutes and other records pertaining to the School of Information Studies and its predecessor, the School of Library Science. |
| Language: | English |
| Repository: |
University Archives, Special Collections Research Center Syracuse University Libraries 222 Waverly Ave., Suite 600 Syracuse, NY 13244-2010 https://library.syracuse.edu/special-collections-research-center/university-archives |
Historical Note
The School of Information Studies at Syracuse University can trace its beginnings to as early as 1893, when courses relevant to the library field were taught at the University. By 1896, Syracuse University offered the first official library classes that were taught by University Librarian Dr. H. O. Sibley. Two years later, there were 11 women studying at Syracuse University to become librarians and the first certificate was awarded. Courses offered did not lead to a degree, but rather a two-year certificate of ability and were focused in literature, printing and penmanship as well as the study of books. Classes were taught out of the Von Ranke Library, and students also learned by working in the library. These courses were offered at Syracuse University for various reasons: the program in Albany was becoming increasingly crowded; assistants were needed in the library; and Board of Trustees member Mrs. Esther Baker Steele had approached the Chancellor about having the University Librarian offer a two-year vocational program.
In 1908, the Board of Trustees of Syracuse University created the Library School, which had its own faculty and was able to recommend degrees. But it would remain administered through the College of Liberal Arts until 1915, when the Library School was officially recognized as the eighth school of Syracuse University. In the 1927-1928 school year, the name changed to the School of Library Science and in the year of 1934, it became a graduate school, admitting only those with a bachelor’s degree. The result of this program, oddly enough, was a Bachelor of Science in Library Science.
In 1949, a five-year program was added where students would take undergraduate courses in the College of Liberal Arts or School of Education and start professional study in their junior year. They would earn their bachelor's degree from one of those colleges and a Master's degree in Library Science upon completion of their fifth year. 1949 also marked the first year of the master’s degree program.
Wharton Miller, who became the director of the School in 1927, served in that position until 1952 when he became the School of Library Science’s first dean. He served as dean until 1956 when Wayne S. Yenawine took over. During this time, the dean of the School of Library Science also served as the director of libraries. It wasn’t until 1965 that these two responsibilities were split. In that same year, Edward Montgomery took over as dean until 1968 when Roger C. Greer took his place. Greer served the School of Library Science for four years and during that time, the School offered a doctorate program in information transfer. In 1972, Robert Taylor came to the School of Library Science as dean.
Taylor’s administration marked a new beginning for the School of Library Science. In 1974, Taylor facilitated the change of the School of Library Science to the School of Information Studies, or as students call it, the iSchool, a title that continues today. This new name broadens the focus from libraries to a bigger field of information. In 1980, it offered the first degree of its kind in the United States, Master of Science in Information Resources Management, which continues today as information management. The year after the degree was added, Evelyn Daniel took over for Taylor for a period of four years. After she left, the School of Information Studies had Acting Dean Jeffrey Katzer until 1987 when Donald A. Marchand came. In that same year, the iSchool began offering a Bachelor of Science in Information Management and Technology. Also during Marchand’s deanship was the addition of its first master’s degree in library science in a distance learning format. When Marchand left, Katzer again served as interim dean until a new one was found.
Raymond F. von Dran served as dean from 1996 until 2007, and during that time, the School of Information Studies opened research centers including the Center for Research on Collaboratories and Technology Enhanced Learning Communities, the Center for Natural Language Processing, the Center for Digital Commerce, and the Convergence Center. In 2007, Elizabeth Liddy took over as interim dean. After roughly a year, Liddy became a permanent dean and served until December of 2014. In May of 2008, the School of Information Studies celebrated iOpening, the official re-dedication of Hinds Hall, its new location on campus. As of 2015, Jeffrey Stanton is leading the School of Information Studies as interim dean.
Today, the School of Information Studies continues to offer undergraduate, masters and doctoral programs. In addition to these programs, the School of Information Studies offers several certificates of advanced studies in topics like cultural heritage and preservation, data science, and school media. The School of Information Studies considers itself "The Original Information School in the nation" and is nationally ranked.
Scope and Content Note
The Syracuse University School of Information Studies Records contain administrative files, faculty meeting minutes and other records pertaining to the School of Information Studies and its predecessor, the School of Library Science. Also in this collection are course outlines and records from the Syracuse University Psychological Abstract Retrieval System.
Restrictions
Access Restrictions
The collection is currently unprocessed and not available for research.
School, college and department records are restricted to the office of origin for 30 years. Faculty personnel files are restricted for 80 years from date of separation from the University.
Use Restrictions
Written permission must be obtained from the Syracuse University Archives and all relevant rights holders before publishing quotations, excerpts or images from any materials in this collection.
Related Material
The Archives holds the School of Information Studies Office of the Dean Records, and the papers of some of the school's faculty.
Also in the Archives are clippings files on the School of Library Science and the School of Information Studies as well as photographs in the Photograph Collection.
Selected Search Terms
Names
Subjects
Administrative Information
Preferred Citation
Preferred citation for this material is as follows:
Syracuse University School of Information Studies Records,
University Archives,
Special Collections Research Center
Syracuse University Libraries
Acquisition Information
The School of Information Studies Records were donated to the Archives from 1968 until the 2000s by the School of Library Science, later called the School of Information Studies.
Processing Information
This collection has not yet been processed.
Finding Aid Information
Created by: Anna Smallwood
Date: 2015
Revision history: 2016 - Reference materials added to collection and finding aid updated (AES);
March 2022 - Restriction added (HVA)