Libraries are continually evolving to meet their communities’ needs, and today’s libraries are engaging their constituents in more ways than ever before. Many of these new directions include technology, data science, and information science solutions to information problems. As libraries expand into these arenas, library education must also transform to meet the educational needs of people entering the library profession. This talk gives a general overview of how the LIS field has evolved, and provides specific information about the evolution of the Master’s in Library and Information Studies (MLIS) program at the University of Oklahoma. All or most traditional aspects of librarianship now use technology and information science tools for cataloging, collection development, reference and user services, interlibrary loan, and more. But new librarians may also need web development, data analytics, GIS, digitization, and digital curation skills. Makerspaces are also becoming common from school to public to academic libraries, and many makerspace activities are based around technology. These are the types of tools that LIS programs are currently teaching. The private sector is recognizing how graduates from LIS programs have these practical skills, and an increasing number of our graduates are finding employment as information and data scientists outside of libraries.

Presenter(s)

Susan Burke