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

Values Statement

The School of Library and Information Science supports scholarship, leadership, service, diversity and outreach through an affordable and accessible program. We value evidence from research findings and models of best practices as the foundation of a quality LIS education.

Goals and Objectives

The School of Library and Information Science supports and enhances library and information services to diverse constituencies within the state of South Carolina and at a distance, through a strong instructional program:

• consisting of productive and dedicated faculty members, including international visiting scholars,  involved in the highest levels of teaching, research and service;
  
• responding to the education needs of students, alumni and the library and information science community as a whole;
  
• enrolling a diverse student body qualified for graduate study and professional service;
  
• providing advanced training and education through extended degree programs; and
  
• extending meaningful programs of continuing education and professional development.

GOAL II Teaching and Leadership

The School of Library and Information Science fosters leadership, scholarship, research and best practices.  Our students acquire the knowledge and skills by:

• engaging the library community, alumni, employers, business leaders, politicians and the greater academic community;
• evaluating the quality of library and information centers’ services and programs;
• introducing innovative techniques, systems and solutions into libraries and information centers;
• designing, implementing and promoting new services and programs;
• conducting original, applied and action research;
• advancing scholarship in library and information science;
• participating in and contribute to local, state and national professional associations.

GOAL III – Research, Scholarship, and Creation

Because research and scholarship are essential for excellence in teaching, the SLIS strives to create a rigorous interdisciplinary research environment.  Its faculty, students, and staff are dedicated to:

• supporting a full spectrum of research activities, including basic, applied, and action research, as a major force for advancing the library and information science professions;
  
• developing research methods of scientific inquiry that contribute to identifying and resolving problems related to library and information services; 
  
• developing effective approaches for disseminating evidence-based practices to information professionals and the library community;
  
• expanding collaborative opportunities by strengthening ties with the library and information science community, professional associations, and other academic units of the University;
  
• creating an environment that encourages student collaborations with faculty through coursework, professional presentations, and research activities;
  
• producing and disseminating new knowledge that contributes to the improvement and empowerment of the library and information professional community.

GOAL IV  Technology

The School of Library and Information Science provides opportunities to investigate and use current and emerging technologies to enhance library and information science practices by: 

• using current and emerging technologies in teaching, research, and service
  
• applying current and emerging technologies as they relate to information activities;
  
• evaluating the effectiveness of technology applications within a variety of information environments;
• recognizing the importance of staying abreast of new technologies and their possible impacts.

• Information and its organization:
  
  
• demonstrate an understanding of the roles of information organization in human endeavors;
  
• describe major concepts, theories, issues and trends in knowledge representation and information organization;
• explain the relationship between information organization and information retrieval;
• describe basic theories and issues of information seeking behaviors;
• demonstrate proficient professional skills in information seeking; 
• explain the basic concepts involved in descriptive and subject cataloging of library materials and be able to relate records generated in technical services operations to the universe of bibliographic organization and control;
• describe the basic principles and practice involved in preservation of materials in all types and sizes of libraries and other information agencies.
  
  

• Provision of information services:

• demonstrate skills needed to identify, evaluate, manage, and use information resources effectively;
• describe and assess information needs of diverse user populations, including both onsite and remote users;
• analyze issues in designing and providing appropriate information services to all user populations, including onsite and remote users;
• review the basic concepts of library instruction.
  
  
  

• Organization, leadership, and management issues in information agencies and services:
  
  
  • apply theoretical models to practical problems;
  • illustrate an understanding of community analysis and needs assessment;
  • define and create goals, objectives, and strategies;
  • compose measurable and single-outcome objectives;
  • create required and appropriate content for a specific fundable grant proposal;
  • describe supervisory and managerial styles;
  • define marketing and its strategies;
  • review the literature of management and reflect on relevant research.
    
    
    

• Application of technology and research to evidence-based practice:
  
  
  • compare the dynamics of information technology as implemented in libraries, archives and other information agencies;
  • identify the concepts and methods of Internet content production for libraries and other  information agencies;
  • analyze the issues and concepts of information policy;
  • compare information technology management in libraries and other information agencies;
  • apply research and assessment to build a knowledge base for library and information science;
  • demonstrate a basic understanding of research and assessment concepts;
  • apply rigorous thinking and analytical methods to solve library and information science problems;
  • analyze and evaluate critical research in library and information science.
    
    
    

• Lifelong learning and professional development:
  
  
• formulate short-term and long-term plans for professional growth and development based on awareness of the needs and realistic demands of the profession and personal competencies;
• discuss the cultural roles and behaviors of library and information professional, including a personal philosophy of professional behavior and ethics;
• construct a career plan based on personal professional goals.