The mission of the University of South Carolina School of Library and Information Science is to provide and promote education and leadership in library and information science, services, and studies through the highest levels of teaching, research and service.

Goals and Objectives

As South Carolina's only advanced program of education in the fields of library and information studies, the School of Library and Information Science has basic goals and objectives related to the needs of South Carolina and the southeastern region. Extensive examination and reflection indicate that there is little variation between the needs and problems of the State, the region, and the nation as a whole. In this sense the goals and objectives of the CLIS encompass national as well as local and regional concerns.

The SLIS is committed to supporting the development and improvement of library and information services as an essential part of cultural enrichment, the dissemination of knowledge, and the enhancement of the overall quality of life. One of the underlying principles of the School's distance education program is the fact that every part of our profession is dependent on other parts in maintaining strong levels of library and information services.

As new and emerging technologies link us closer every day, cooperative programs and services become increasingly important to our citizens. This is true of educational programs as well as library and information services. The University of South Carolina is proud to have been invited by the states of Maine, Georgia, and West Virginia to deliver the complete MLIS degree using a combination of live interactive satellite transmission and on-site instruction. We believe these cooperative efforts will provide an outstanding educational experience for all participants by creating a network of students who will interact in the future as a network of professionals. The SLIS is committed to making a positive impact on the profession, local communities, and the eastern region of the United States for years to come.

GOAL I

To support the development and improvement of library and information services to the people of South Carolina and the southeastern region.

Objectives

1. To maintain a strong program of basic professional education characterized by the following:

A. responsiveness to the educational needs of South Carolina and the southeastern region by offering a quality program of instruction at the Columbia campus, at selected off-campus locations across the state, and via telecommunication instruction using both live interactive and open circuit broadcast;

B. selective enrollment of a student body highly qualified for graduate study and professional service and balanced in size to the demands for professional personnel in the field;

C. a distinguished faculty composed of individuals interested in and able to contribute to the development of libraries and information centers in the state and region.

2. To provide for the continuing education and development of the staffs of libraries and information centers through a flexible program consisting of at least the following elements:

A. short-term academic and non-academic programs designed to meet the needs of working librarians and information specialists;

B. continuation of a Specialist degree program with competitive and selective enrollment to serve the needs of librarians and information specialists desiring advanced training for increased professional responsibility;

C. liaison with the field to identify, plan, and implement needed continuing education programs.

GOAL II

To promote the role of libraries and information centers as vital human service agencies which provide sources of information, inspiration, and cultural activity.

Objectives

1. To develop and maintain a basic curriculum which places the professional and technical skills of librarians and information specialists in a context of service to users;

2. To demonstrate through instruction and example that sound information service programs are based upon principles of concern, communication, and commitment as well as technical and intellectual competence;

3. To promote an understanding of libraries and information centers as major cultural resources;

4. To demonstrate through a wide variety of print and non-print media and a diversity of service programs that libraries and information centers make a direct contribution to the improvement of learning and productivity in a variety of nonprofit and for-profit organizations.

GOAL III

To provide advice and assistance, to advance scholarship, and to exercise a leadership role in the development of library and information science.

Objectives

1. To provide assistance and leadership to state and local agencies and organizations charged with the improvement of library and information services in at least the following areas:

A. assisting libraries and information centers in the identification and solution of problems affecting their services and development;

B. monitoring and evaluating the quality of library and information center service programs;

C. introducing new techniques and systems into libraries and information centers;

D. designing and implementing new service programs.

2. To exercise a leadership role in the development of the profession and advance scholarship in library and information science through:

A. conducting theoretical and applied research;

B. participating in local, state, and national professional associations.

GOAL IV

To enable the graduate to perform effectively in the library and information professions by demonstrating the following competencies by the conclusion of the master's degree program:

1. General Competencies:

A. a knowledge of library and information science professions, institutions, centers, programs, and their sociological and historical contexts;

B. an understanding of the varied nature of the library and information professions, including types of libraries, media centers, and information centers, their similar and different philosophies and characteristics, and the different roles they perform in society;

C. an understanding of the professional and ethical issues, trends, and problems facing the profession as well as various responses and position statements (e.g., the Library Bill of Rights) that have been developed by the profession to deal with these issues;

D. a knowledge of the major professional organizations, their roles and functions, and the responsibility of the professional for participating in them.

2. Organization of Information Competencies:

A. an understanding of selected theories and systems of subject analysis/representation, organization, storage and retrieval of information;

B. basic skills in using various tools, standards and methods essential to the subject analysis/representation, organization, storage and retrieval of information.

3. Reference/Information Services Competencies:

A. an understanding of the role and responsibilities of the public services professional and the ability to carry out those responsibilities in an ethical and capable manner in a variety of institutional settings;

B. the ability to negotiate user inquiries to provide effective information services to a variety of user groups;

C. both basic knowledge of standard reference sources useful in a variety of information settings and specialized knowledge of sources pertinent to specific user groups or subject areas;

D. the ability to locate, evaluate, and choose appropriate information sources/materials for selected fields of study or user groups;

E. the ability to plan, design, deliver, evaluate, and make informed decisions about information services needed by specified user groups.

4. Management Competencies:

A. an understanding of fundamentals of administrative philosophy, methods, and techniques related to the library and information professions;

B. a knowledge of administrative functions such as planning, staffing, budgeting, and supervision;

C. effective group participation and leadership.

5. Research and Analytical Competencies:

A. an understanding of the research process and research methods;

B. the ability to analyze and critically evaluate research in library and information science in order to be an intelligent consumer of research;

C. the ability to apply rigorous thinking and analytical methods to the solution of problems in the library and information professions.

6. Information Technology Competencies:

A. an understanding of a wide variety of information technologies relevant to subject analysis, organization, storage, and retrieval of information;

B. a knowledge and actual experience in the application of information technologies to information management;

C. the ability to make well-informed decisions about the selection of existing systems;

D. skills in carrying out the design and/or evaluation of information systems;

E. current knowledge of new and developing information technology.