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Member Spotlight
Member Spotlight Series: iSchools Part One of Member Spotlight Series: iSchools The iSchool movement began in 1988, when deans from the University of Pittsburgh, Syracuse University, and Drexel University began to meet regularly, focused on the emerging synergies between their information science programs and other academic programs. The movement, which is “interested in the relationship between information, technology, and people” (iSchools website, http://www.ischools.org/) has grown to 21 iSchools today.
In 2007, the iSchools announced themselves as the “iCaucus,” with a major branding and marketing communications program, to position the “iField” as a preferred area of study and career choice. Ronald L. Larsen, dean of the School of Information Sciences at the University of Pittsburgh, in his article, “The iSchools,” asserts, “The iField’s most visible and viable outcome is the delivery of the right information at the right time to the right people in the right form.” This two-part Member Spotlight Series will focus on graduate level programs of PALINET member iSchools: Drexel University; Pennsylvania State University; Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey; University of Maryland; and University of Pittsburgh.
PROFILE 1 of 5: Drexel University, College of Information Science and Technology, The iSchool at Drexel: Education for an Information World
Behind the doors of the historic Rush Building on the Drexel campus, the iSchool is a high tech hotspot. Its iCommons Computer Lab, with pivot screen computers and diner seating, is designed for collaborative student teams working together. The iSchool’s garden and lobby are wireless, with interactive webcams; the iStudio helps faculty integrate technology into their courses.
legs to stand on – a strong library component, but also a strong information technology component.” Drexel’s MSLIS was ranked 11th in the nation in the 2009 U.S. News and World Report’s “America’s Best Graduate Schools” and the iSchool’s specialties in Information Systems and Digital Librarianship achieved fifth and sixth places, respectively.
The iSchool offers classes both online and on campus, with the option of completing programs in either or bothmodes. Drexel’s online library science program is the country’s fifth largest, according to “Grad School’s a Click Away” in U.S. News & World Report of January 21, 2008. The iSchool is host to the Internet Public Library (IPL) since 2007. Founded in 1995, IPL’s virtual reference service now averages a million hits a week from people seeking information, from all over the world. Drexel students join others from a consortium of colleges and universities with programs in information science to develop and maintain the IPL. ISchool students come from diverse academic and professional backgrounds and have varied career goals. Katelyn Wolfrom will graduate in 2009 with a MSLIS degree and specialization in Archives Management. Like many iSchool students, she chose a combination of online and in person classes. “I learn better in person generally, but some classes are great online because of the self-guided instruction.” She serves as a Graduate Peer Mentor, in a program designed to connect and orient students, both online and on campus, to the iSchool. iSchool students have the opportunity to build practical experience while pursuing their degrees, through an extensive internship and cooperative education (co-op) program. Katelyn Wolfrom, for example, has worked in archives at Drexel University, The American Philosophical Society, the Philadelphia Zoo, and the Delaware Art Museum, while attending the iSchool. Not only do students make real-world connections that may result in job offers, but the work experience gained in internships and co-op jobs may gain higher starting salaries for iSchool graduates. Prepared by the iSchool for their new careers, recent graduates have been awarded jobs as Market Researcher, Electronic Serials Librarian, Research Analyst, Project Cataloguer, Information Security Engineer, Engineer Risk Consultant, Data Integration Specialist, Youth Services Coordinator, Systems Test Engineer. Information Management Specialist, and Elementary School Librarian. Faculty at The iSchool at Drexel are among the most productive scholars in the country. In 2008, the iSchool was ranked eighth in “The Top Ten Universities for Information Science/Studies” in the Academic Analytics’ Faculty Scholarly Productivity Index. “It’s an exciting time to be a librarian,” says Dr. Eileen Abels. “We have new roles to fill.” For more information about The iSchool at Drexel , visit http://www.ischool.drexel.edu/. LINKS:
Profile 2 of 5: The Pennsylvania State University, College of Information Sciences and Technology, University Park, PA
Penn State’s College of Information Sciences and Technology (IST) began in 1997 with a visionary challenge from Penn State President Graham Spanier: “How could the University address the enormous workforce gap in information technology and help government, industry, and society face the daunting technological and human challenges of tomorrow?” He introduced Information Science as a new Penn State initiative, culminating two years later with the opening of the College of Information Sciences and Technology. Charlie DuBois, IST Communication Manager, explains, “Some iSchools began as library science programs; some were rooted in computer science and engineering. Penn State’s iSchool is unique because it was created from the ground up. There’s nothing quite like us.” The Master of Science in Information Sciences and Technology is an interdisciplinary degree program focusing on diverse research areas, including human-computer interaction, computational techniques, bio-informatics, geographical information systems, and societal issues like the digital divide. The Ph.D. program produces scholars who are involved in collaborative projects that bridge an array of fields, such as psychology, business, geography, economics, communications, and computer science. “We think of our graduates going out there to help others with information management – to create, store, manage, share, and manipulate information to make it useful – making sure that information overload doesn’t overwhelm people or organizations,” says Charlie DuBois. “We recognize how much information management is the key to doing all things well.” In the state-of-the-art IST building, faculty and professionals from varied fields of expertise meet with students for learning, research, and collaboration. The IST building features an innovative telecommunication and multimedia infrastructure to facilitate digital learning and a high tech Cybertorium that supports multiple computer platforms. Students may take IST classes in classrooms in 19 campuses across the state and online; graduate classes are offered on the University Park campus.
IST graduates land jobs in companies and organizations as diverse as the Peace Corps and ESPN, and are information technology problem-solvers in the private sector, government, non-profits, and academia. “A significant number of our students and graduates also have an entrepreneurial bent and are launching their own start-ups,” says DuBois. “One of our grads has even developed a business incubator meant to meet the specific needs of students who want to launch their own companies.” The cumulative placement rate is 94%, with IST graduates in high demand and earning strong starting salaries. Penn State is one of a handful of universities that offers an undergraduate degree in Security and Risk Analysis, a new and rapidly growing area of study that graduates its first class this month. In 2005, IST was host to the first iSchool Conference, a field-defining event that drew representatives from across the U.S. and abroad. The fourth annual iSchool Conference will be held February 8 – 11, 2009 at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. For more on Penn State’s iSchool, the College of Information Sciences and Technology, please visit http://ist.psu.edu/. LINKS
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Although many of the iSchools have a strong history and connection to library studies, not all do. An iSchool may offer a Library and Information Science degree, but may also offer degrees in Human-Computer Interaction, Security Informatics, or Telecommunications and Networking. What all iSchools have in common is their mission of educating new information professionals and their multidisciplinary approach.
