User:Semccraw/SIRLS page

The University of Arizona School of Information Resources and Library Science, also known as SIRLS, is an ALA-accredited[1] academic department and professional school in the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences.[2] The SIRLS program focuses on research, education, and service, as they influence the interdisciplinary understanding, interpretation, creation, and use of the emerging knowledge and information environment of the 21st Century. The school is one of many that commit to educating students as to information's role in their chosen field.[3] The program offers both Masters and Ph.D. degrees in the field of Information Resources and Library Science.[4] Contents

1 SIRLS Mission Statement and goals 2 Knowledge River 3 SIRLS activities 4 A Timeline of SIRLS History[12] 5 SIRLS faculty[13] 6 Student Groups 6.1 Library Student Organization (LSO) 6.2 University of Arizona Society of American Archivists Student Chapter (UASAA) 6.3 Special Libraries Association Student Chapter (SLA) 6.4 Progressive Librarians Guild (PLG) 7 References

SIRLS Mission Statement and goals

SIRLS’ Mission is two-fold. 1) To educate a diverse cadre of students who have the foundational knowledge and the competencies for developing, as their careers unfold, into formal and informal leaders in library and information environments and in the library and information professions. 2) To foster understanding of the creation, organization, management,access and use of knowledge and information resources in libraries and a multitude of settings and cultural communities.

The School of Information Resources and Library Science at the University of Arizona emphasizes five main goals for their students and the program as a whole. These are: a quality Master's education for the Library and Information professions, creation of new knowledge in the library and information fields, diversity woven throughout the fabric of the SIRLS program, service, outreach and community, networked digital knowledge and information in a changing society,[5] and continuum of education for library and information work. [6]

SIRLS students focus on developing proficiency in 10 competencies that prepare graduates for successful careers in library and information centers. These competencies focus on 3 main categories of:foundational understandings and abilities, disciplinary knowledge and its application, and ethics and values in Library and Information Science. Masters students are required to demonstrate awareness of these competencies through a written portfolio from the beginning of their education in SIRLS and completed by the time of their graduation. [7]

Knowledge River

Knowledge River[8] is a unique Tucson-based educational experience within the School of information Resources and Library Science focusing on educating information professionals who have experience with and sensitivity to Latino and Native American populations. Knowledge River also fosters understanding of library and information issues from the perspectives of Latino and Native Americans and advocates for culturally sensitive library and information services to these communities. Largely funded by a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), Knowledge River has become one of the most important graduate programs for training librarians and information professionals focusing on Latino and Native American cultural issues. The successful birth of Knowledge River into the SIRLS community has provided a unique opportunity for SIRLS students to increase awareness of diversity in the school, which now requires all scholars to enroll in courses designed to integrate cultural and ethnic perspectives throughout LIS curriculum and instruction. [9]

SIRLS activities

Research Brown Bag Series[10]--typically held on pre-determined Wednesdays from noon to 1pm,this series of lectures features professors and affiliates of the SIRLS program who deliver an hour-long presentation on various topics relating to the Information Resources and Library Science field. A lecture schedule is regularly updated on the SIRLS website where podcasts of past lectures[11] are also available.

A Timeline of SIRLS History[12]

1956 Beginnings as an undergraduate component in College of Education.

1958 First M.Ed degree with school library science major awarded

1961 School of Library Science founded

1971 First MLS degree awarded

1974 Program accredited by the American Library Association

School moved to its present location in the"pink motel"

1979 Program re-accredited by the American Library Association

1985 School moved administratively into the Faculty of Social and Behavioral Sciences, later renamed the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences (SBS)

1986 Program re-accredited by the American Library Association

1993 MLS replaced by the MA degree in Information Resources and Library Science

School authorized to offer the Ph.D.

1994 MA degree the first to stand for accreditation under the new 1992 ALA Standards

1995 Revised curriculum offered

1996 Name changed to School of Information Resources and Library Science

1998 In July, Director Charles Hurt named Associate Dean of SBS

Charles Seavey, Associate Professor at SIRLS, appointed Acting Director

In the fall, COA site accreditation site visit

1999 In January, the ALA Committee on Accreditation voted to withdraw accreditation

Also in January,Judith Becker, Associate Dean of SBS, was appointed Interim Director

In April, the University of Arizona filed an appeal of accreditation and began to increase resources

In July, Carla Stoffle, Dean of Libraries at UA, was appointed Interim Director

2000 In May, the University of Arizona withdrew its appeal and requested an unsolicited site visit for October 2001

The COA granted SIRLS a 2-year conditional accreditation beginning June 1, 2000

2001 In January, Brooke Sheldon was appointed Director

From January to May, the program presentation for the COA visit was prepared

In October the COA came for an Accreditation site visit

Knowledge River program founded

2002 ALA re-accreditation awarded for 4years

In May a successful and positive Academic Program review concluded

There was an announcement from the UA President that SIRLS would be retained

2004 In May, Director Brooke Sheldon retired

In August, Jana Bradley was appointed Professor and Director at SIRLS

In the fall of 2004 and spring of 2005, SIRLS prepared for accreditation review in fall of 2005

2005 COA site visit scheduled for September 26-27

2006 COA grants SIRLS full accreditation for 7 years

Certificate in Digital Information offered

2009 May 31,Jana Bradley steps down as Director and Tom Wilding is appointed Interim Director

In October, Bryan Heidorn appointed Director at SIRLS SIRLS faculty[13]

Bryan Heidorn, Phd

Thomas L. Wilding, Professor of Practice

Hong Cui, Phd

Heshan Sun, Phd

Cheryl Knott, PhD

Patti Overall, PhD

Kay Mathiesen, PhD

Don Fallis, PhD

Martin Fricke, PhD

Jana Bradley, PhD

Peter Botticelli, PhD

Michael Chiorazzi, JD Law School

Carla Stoffle, Dean of University Libraries

Catherine Brooks, Phd

Student Groups Library Student Organization (LSO)

Based on their parent organization, the American Library Association (ALA), the LSO works to promote scholarly achievement and professional awareness amongst its members. LSO encourages the communication and interaction between students, faculty and staff within the School of Information Resources & Library Science program. Every semester, LSO sponsors a variety of events, speaker engagements, workshops and extracurricular activities. LSO also makes it a direct and important point to meet the needs of local and distance student members, therefore including all students within the program regardless of their proximity to the Tucson campus.[14] University of Arizona Society of American Archivists Student Chapter (UASAA)

UASAA is a student chapter of the national Society of American Archivists. Though specifically affiliated with the School of Information Resources and Library Science, members span multiple departments in the university such as library science, history, political science, anthropology, etc. and consist of both graduate and undergraduate members committed to archives work. The UASAA works with local organizations around Tucson to assist with archival and library projects. This is an attempt to enhance and supplement the coursework offered by SIRLS. The group meets regularly to discuss issues within the profession. [15] Special Libraries Association Student Chapter (SLA)

The SLA at the University of Arizona attempts to achieve four basic goals: To promote interest in special libraries among School of Information Resources & Library Science students, To promote interaction and communication among all members of the SIRLS community, special libraries community, students, faculty and staff, To provide a platform for the presentation of ideas specifically to benefit the SIRLS and the special libraries community, and To represent the needs of the students to the faculty, the staff, and to the SIRLS community.[16] Progressive Librarians Guild (PLG)

The University of Arizona chapter of the PLG aims to uphold and promote social responsibility and diverse points of view through participation in the Library and Information Science field. The PLG believes direct communication on progressive issues with students, faculty, professionals and the communities we serve provides unique opportunities for improving libraries overall. [17] References

^ American Library Association. "Alphabetical List of Institutions with ALA-Accredited Programs". American Library Association. Retrieved 30 April 2012. ^ College of Social and Behavioral Sciences, University of Arizona. "The College of Social and Behavioral Sciences". University of Arizona. Retrieved 30 April 2012. ^ Wikipedia. "List of Information Schools". Wikipedia. Retrieved 30 April 2012. ^ School of Information Resources and Library Science, University of Arizona. "Vision, Mission and Goals". SIRLS website. Retrieved 29 April 2012. ^ Wikipedia. "Information School". Wikipedia. Retrieved 30 April 2012. ^ School of Information Resources and Library Science, University of Arizona. "Vision, Mission, and Goals". SIRLS website. University of Arizona. Retrieved 29 April 2012. ^ School of Information Resources and Library Science, University of Arizona. "Student Competencies". SIRLS website. University of Arizona. Retrieved 29 April 2012. ^ Wikipedia. "Knowledge River". Wikipedia. Retrieved 29 April 2012. ^ School of Information Resources and Library Science, University of Arizona. "Knowledge River". SIRLS website. University of Arizona. Retrieved 29 April 2012. ^ School of Information Resources and Library Science, University of Arizona. "Research Brown Bag Schedule". University of Arizona. Retrieved 30 April 2012. ^ School of Information Resources and Library Science, University of Arizona. "Recordings". University of Arizona. Retrieved 30 April 2012. ^ School of Information Resources and Library Science, University of Arizona. "SIRLS History/Timeline". SIRLS website. University of Arizona. Retrieved 30 April 2012. ^ School of Information Resources and Library Science, University of Arizona. "Faculty Members". SIRLS website. University of Arizona. Retrieved 30 April 2012. ^ School of Information Resources and Library Science, University of Arizona. "LSO Library Student Organization". SIRLS website. University of Arizona. Retrieved 30 April 2012. ^ School of Information Resources and Library Science, University of Arizona. "Society of American Archivists - Student Chapter". SIRLS website. University of Arizona. Retrieved 30 April 2012. ^ School of Information Resources and Library Science, University of Arizona. "U of A SLA Home". Retrieved 30 April 2012. ^ Progressive Librarians Guild student chapter, University of Arizona. "Progressive Librarians Guild: University of Arizona". PBworks. Retrieved 30 April 2012.