The L Word Versus the I Word :: Essays Papers

The L Word Versus the I WordOf the 49 ALA-accredited program library attainment programs in the United States, only one - the School of depository library Science at Clarion University - omits the name information from its name. The L word doesnt fare so well. Twenty-eight percent of accredited library science programs have dropped the word library from their name. Other I word schools dont flummox to seek accreditation beca habituate they no longer see their bursting charge as educate librarians.The L word camp needs to accept the political realities confront LIS programs. Librarians condemn the loss of their beloved L word and have point demanded the ALA refuse to accredit schools that drop it. Names are important. By its name, we fill out the character and purpose of an organization. A library science school has a clear, focused mission - to educate and train students to become librarians. By contrast, the mission of an information school is broader and may (or may not) include the basic breeding of librarians. Being precise by nature, librarians prefer a name that is descriptive. more(prenominal) than importantly, the L word signifies the rich cultural heritage that is librarianship.Happily, the majority of ALA-accredited schools use both the L and the I words to describe themselves. This is as it should be. The pauperism for dropping the L word is fueled by a perceive lack of prestige and a belief that the word library limits the eye socket of education. While universities do look down upon library science as a discipline lacking academic depth, a name falsify alone will not cure that opinion.There is a more serious issue at stake - that of theory versus skills. Here, I impart from the L word camp and inch closer to the side of information. The chain of an LIS education must be broader than the traditional library science core. As Childers points out, its clear that information handling is big than one institution - bigger than the libr ary institution but including it... The science of information is a cause and dynamic field not limited to librarians. Webmasters, programmers, information brokers, and, yes, librarians can all told be taught under the same theoretical umbrella. The interactions of students on different calling tracks can be a positive and energizing force in spite of appearance an LIS program.Librarians lament the lack of skills training, but theory is, and must remain, central to LIS. harmonise to Fallis and Fricke, a librarian requires a theoretical graduate-level education, in addition to special(prenominal) skills.