In recent years, librarians have found themselves caught in the crossfire of what the Washington Postcalls a “culture war in the stacks,” as book-banning and other challenges to intellectual freedom become more widespread and dangerous. The American Library Association terms the current book-banning campaigns an “unprecedented threat of censorship.” Concurrently (and predictably), initiatives around equity, diversity, and inclusion have also come under fire.

“Some parents and other people are seeking to ban books based on their own biases and prejudices,” says Dr. Anthony Chow, professor and iSchool director at San José State University’s School of Information. “We need strong LIS professionals who have the courage and skills and training to protect intellectual freedom for everyone else.”

Meanwhile, print media continues its transition to digital alternatives, facilitating the spread of mis- and disinformation. Other technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) are also coming to the fore. “Advances in and the ubiquity of information technology, coupled with new trends and changes in users’ needs and expectations, make graduate LIS education a necessity,” says Abebe Rorissa, Professor and Director of the School of Information Sciences at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

However, “even in this fast-moving technological society, we still need many caring professional librarians in our communities,” says Wooseob Joeong, dean of the School of Library and Information Management at Emporia State University.

To that end, this section highlights some of the leading MLIS programs that are training the next generation of library and information science professionals to rise to today’s—and tomorrow’s— challenges, including those whose alumni have been honored by Library Journal as Movers & Shakers.
San José State University School of Information

The San José State University School of Information is the largest MLIS degree provider in the world. “We are two-and-a-half times the size of the next MLIS program, which affords students unmatched diversity in the classroom, in organizations, in instructors, and across our 13,000 alumni. The iSchool is also number one across all racial categories in terms of our nation’s MLIS students, and we pride ourselves in our diversity and focus on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI),” says Anthony Chow, professor and iSchool director.

The biggest challenge facing new and future librarians is the digital transformation of our daily lives: The ways in which people search and experience information, and how quickly libraries can align their services to these changing information needs and expectations. Chow notes that “the increasing digital access that is transforming the [library science] field are all disruptors that must be paid attention to and the LIS professional of the future must be strong in.”

Chow also notes that another big challenge for libraries and librarians is the fight for intellectual freedom. “We have reached a tipping point in terms of whether today’s American citizen will allow the loud voices of a vocal minority to limit access to reading and materials for everyone,” says Chow.

To meet these challenges and prepare students for their future careers, SJSU’s iSchool program emphasizes how library information science is applied both inside and outside of libraries. Technology, user-centered design, and customer service are major foci. The program offers 14 discrete career pathways, but most are centered on public, academic, and school libraries. It also offers information science-only career pathways like web design and web programming.

The program is completely online and asynchronous, which means students can shape their learning environments and schedules based on their learning needs and work/family obligations. The iSchool has an average of 2,400–2,700 active students per semester in 49 out of 50 states. Most students are working adults, while 25 percent start the program immediately upon earning their bachelor’s degree.

Another unique aspect of the program is that it concentrates solely on MLIS, with no traditional doctoral program. So, all classes are taught by faculty or industry-leading adjunct practitioners. Sixty-four percent of every dollar is invested back into the program, providing unmatched resources in terms of scholarships, travel grants, student memberships in national library organizations, symposia, and technology.

Like other online schools, iSchool hosts virtual and in-person events and activities for students. For the first two years in the program, all students receive a free ALA membership, and the school offers a wide variety of student groups, free symposia, and even live meetups across the country.

SJSU’s iSchool also assists students with job searching via a full-time career counselor who is available to all students for support with résumé reviews, one-on-one consultations, practice interviews, and more. Plus, iSchool has the largest alumni base of any LIS program, meaning that current students can avail themselves of a huge network to further their job hunts.

The success of the program is such that this year, seven of the 50 (14 percent) Movers & Shakers are graduates of the iSchool. “Our program provides a high-quality educational experience which includes high expectations, an extremely robust curriculum, and robust resources,” Chow says. “Students can find and pursue their passions in our program and have plenty of peers that have similar interests.”

For more information, visit: https://ischool.sjsu.edu/master-library-and-information-science

St. John’s University

St. John’s University’s Division of Library & Information Science is known and respected in New York City and across the nation. The program has been accredited by the American Library Association continuously since 1976.

Consistent with SJU’s Catholic and Vincentian principles of academic excellence and service to the underserved, the program actively cultivates a diverse and inclusive learning environment. “By providing a forward-thinking education, we aim to equip graduates with ethical leadership skills, empowering them with the ability to navigate and solve the complexities of information ecosystems while upholding social justice in the information professions,” says James Vorbach, director and associate professor of SJU’s Division of Library & Information Science.

SJU’s 36-credit program is fully online and asynchronous, offering maximum flexibility to students. It is comprised of 15 core credits (five courses) and 21 elective credits (seven courses). Students may select one or more of five specializations—archival studies, academic, public, youth services, and records management—and/or one of two certificate programs: Management for Information Professionals or Social Justice in the Information Professions. Students also can apply for the dual degree program, which awards a Master of Science in Library and Information Science and a Master of Arts in Public History.

The program currently has 120 students enrolled. Classes are capped at 20 students, allowing each to receive individual attention, as well as personalized advising every semester by full-time faculty members. Each student is assigned an academic advisor who guides the student on coursework, e-portfolio preparation (an end-of-program project), as well as career goals. Students and advisors are required to meet twice a year before each registration period.

The department undergoes an annual review by the DLIS Advisory Board, which includes library employers and alumni, and is dedicated to ongoing program improvement, guided by an assessment protocol that includes all program stakeholders: students, alumni, employers, and faculty.

To help budding librarians meet contemporary challenges, the program has added courses that emphasize the importance of defending intellectual freedom, promoting diversity, and advocating for open access to information, and it has introduced specific courses such as Fake News and Misinformation, Culture Competence in the Information Professions, and Materials and Services to Diverse Populations. St. John’s is also developing a certificate program on Social Justice in the Information Professions.

The program also affords students the opportunity to gain practical experience through service learning, internships, and fieldwork in libraries. It also encourages students to address real-world issues, collaborate with library professionals, and apply theoretical knowledge in practical settings. Students also connect with alumni and professionals working in the field, to learn from their experiences and gain insights into current trends and challenges.

The department and the student association partner to present a biweekly webinar series focused on professional development, featuring information professionals, career services staff members, and others, offering online support for professional development and job searching.

“I am most proud of our faculty and students, their dedication, hard work, and perseverance,” Vorbach says. “I am proud of the quality program, continuously accredited by the American Library Association since 1976, and of our strategic planning model and assessment plan which together have guided improvements in the program.”

For more information, visit: https://www.stjohns.edu/academics/programs/library-and-information-science-master-science

Emporia State University

Founded in 1902, Emporia State University’s School of Library and Information Management (SLIM) is the oldest library school west of the Mississippi. It has never stopped evolving with the times, helping librarians keep up with their communities’ specific in the context of larger cultural changes.

“AI and politicization—book bans, for example—are getting more attention. But even for those issues, solutions should be based on each community’s unique situation and needs,” says Wooseob Jeong, dean of the School of Library and Information Management at Emporia State University.

The goal of Emporia’s program, adds Joeong, is “educating a diverse population of successful library and information professionals with imagination, creativity, and innovation.”

The Master of Library Science program at Emporia is a 36-credit degree program which was awarded a Continuous Accreditation status from the American Library Association. Hallmarks of the program include an affordable tuition rate, small class sizes (no more than 25 students), and dedicated professional advisors and faculty.

This spring’s head count is 365, with most of the students being adults in their 20s and 30s. Since COVID, SLIM’s Master of Library Science program is now fully online and asynchronous. Despite the remote nature of the program, students have access to professors and advisors outside of class. The program features a curriculum that is constantly updated to keep pace with current trends and needs. For example, this spring, it is offering a Librarianship and Correctional Facilities class. There are also optional live events such as guest speakers, alumni gatherings, and career discussions. Students who are unable to attend synchronously have access to recordings of these events.

SLIM’s student organization (SCALA) is very active—its current president is based in Colorado, the previous one in Idaho—and takes students to national conferences where they can build in-person relationships, and even get course credit for attendance.

SLIM is also dedicated to helping students land jobs after graduation and offers career paths to all kinds of libraries and information service organizations. The school sends weekly job lists to current students, and all job listings are available on SLIM’s web site. The campus career service also offers virtual options, providing students with the opportunity to conduct online mock interviews and other career advising sessions.

Many SLIM alumni have gone on to lead state libraries, state library associations, major academic libraries, large urban libraries, and small libraries all over the country, all of which have benefitted from SLIMs focus on individual information needs, community needs analysis, and outreach.

Over the years, several SLIM alumni have appeared on Library Journal ’s Movers & Shakers list. Amy Taylor, Class of 2011, appeared on the 2023 Movers & Shakers list for her work as chair of the Advocacy Task Force, helping raise awareness of school librarians and revamping the state’s school librarian certification program. She now serves as coordinator of library and media services for Lee’s Summit R7 School District in Missouri. Another SLIM student, Morgan Perry,business outreach specialist for the Mid-Continent Public Library in Independence, MO, appeared on the 2022 list.

“We really focus on librarianship,” Jeong says. “If you want to be a librarian, come to SLIM!”

For more information, visit: https://www.emporia.edu/slim

UNC Greensboro

The University of North Carolina, Greensboro Department of Information, Library, and Research Sciences is ranked the eighth-best school library media specialty area nationally and the 23rd-best Master of Library and Information Science program nationally according to U.S. News & World Report .

Equally significant—and reflecting UNC’s core purpose of changing lives through advancing access to life’s opportunities—is the university’s number one ranking in North Carolina and number 13 national ranking for social mobility in the annual U.S. News’ Best Colleges rankings. The MLIS program is, “committed to freedom of speech, equitable access to information and lifelong learning,” says Lisa O’Connor, department chair.

While promoting a just society through valuing diversity and fostering educational and social equity, the ALA-accredited MLIS program is designed to prepare students for the rapidly evolving information environment. “The MLIS educates students so that they have an enduring knowledge base and skill set—and underlying foundation—that will enable them to be effective career-long learners who can not only adapt quickly to the changing landscape of the field but also work to shape it,” O’Connor says.

The MLIS program is designed to be accessible and flexible for students balancing work and academic commitments. It is offered synchronously online, focusing on high-tech skill development so that graduates can easily find employment in a wide variety of information organizations. The curriculum includes such topics as digital librarianship, information retrieval systems, metadata standards, web authoring, digital preservation, and other areas relevant to managing digital information. Additionally, “we integrate experiential learning across the curriculum, offering hands-on projects and internships at every stage of the program,” O’Connor says.

The UNCG LIS program is among the most affordable online Master’s programs, coming in at #3 on the Best Affordable Masters’s in Library Science ranking report.

The program is committed to helping students launch their careers in the field of library and information science. The university’s career services department provides counseling, résumé and cover letter assistance, interview preparation, and job search strategies; networking opportunities via special events, job fairs, and alumni connections; and internship and field placement opportunities.

The program’s emphasis on leadership development and innovative thinking is evident in the inclusion of four UNC Greensboro MLIS alumni on Library Journal’s Movers & Shakers list over the last 15 years.

For more information, visit: https://soe.uncg.edu/ilrs/lis/

University of Arizona

The University of Arizona Master of Arts in Library and Information Science is the only MLIS program in Arizona, with a 50-plus+ year history that provides a vast alumni network throughout the Southwest, giving students unique opportunities for networking.

The program itself is geared toward preparing librarians for the challenges of a rapidly evolving information environment. At Arizona’s School of Information, MLIS students get to be a part of a larger information community, with course offerings that evolve with the changing library landscape, such as ethical AI, UX and website design, and data science.

With both on-campus and online programs, students have the option of pursuing a traditional library science curriculum or a more technology-driven program. But every student must take at least one class in information technology and networked digital information. "The program currently offers five specialties: academic librarianship, archives and special collections, digital curation, law librarianship and legal information, and public librarianship.”

The university’s Knowledge River Scholars Program, the only one of its kind in the country, specializes in educating library and information professionals who are committed to the information needs of BIPOC communities, with an emphasis on Latino, Native American, and Black populations.

Both the MLIS and the Knowledge River Scholars Programs are built on a strong community of faculty, staff, and students, supporting student clubs and networking opportunities, both online and in-person. The university regularly hosts extracurricular campus and Zoom lectures, happy hours, and other events, as well as meetups at professional conferences both in Arizona and nationally.

Recent graduate Camila Becerril comments, “The collective dedication to academic excellence and shared passion among my peers elevated the learning experience, making the MLIS not just a curriculum but a community of like-minded individuals committed to pushing the boundaries of knowledge together.”

To help with career-building, the MLIS program requires a capstone internship, which allows students to gain practical experience in the field. Students also have access to workshops on resume building and job interviewing. The program also regularly keeps students informed about fellowship, internships, and job opportunities.

“We are proud of our ongoing dedication to our students as well as our resilience in a political, cultural, and technological time of change and uncertainty. What’s certain is that we’ll continue to provide the best possible library and information science education for our wide array of learners," says Jennifer Rochelle, assistant professor of practice and MLIS advisor and coordinator.

For more information, visit: https://ischool.arizona.edu/ma-library-information-science

University of Kentucky School of Information Science

The University of Kentucky offered its first library science course more than 100 years ago. Today, the University of Kentucky’s School of Information Science trains the next generation of library information professionals through a combination of innovative curriculum, high-quality research, and professional services.

“Our program helps our students become professional librarians with a strong background in the core tenets of our field, with an eye toward continuing their education throughout their professional life so they may continue to adapt to a changing landscape,” says Will Buntin, assistant director of student affairs.

Buntin identifies the crucial role today’s librarians are asked to play, helping users navigate the increasing flow of information, misinformation, and disinformation. “The explosion of incorrect information, and the means to share it quickly and widely with millions, has demonstrated how important the skills we teach are to society at large,” Buntin says.

The university’s SIS offers training in these crucial skills, with a program that is completely online and asynchronous, allowing its 250 students greater flexibility in managing their time across school, work, and family responsibilities. The program comprises four required core courses that are oriented towards traditional librarianship, with a fifth course requirement that students can fulfill with a variety of technology-focused electives. The remaining seven courses cover more traditional areas like public or academic librarianship, or topics such as health information or data/information technologies.

The school is unique in providing faculty who specifically focus on communication skills. “Students in our program also can earn a certificate in instructional communication, giving them another tool to use when working with clients, talking to their board of directors, or participating in legislative sessions,” says Buntin.

To help create a sense of community, the program maintains a student “hub” in Canvas, the learning management system, and all students are automatically enrolled. This hub is used to both send information to students and allow them to interact with each other outside class. There is also a student group that organizes an annual student-led research presentation.

The school offers career guidance resources such as the Stuckert Career Center, and the student group hosts professional development sessions featuring a variety of speakers. Nearly half of library science program graduates have gone on to work in public or academic libraries, while another 20 percent report work as school librarians.

Over the past ten years, several alumni have appeared on the Movers & Shakers list, most recently in 2021. “We try to provide students with the skills they need to be successful,” Buntin says. “The honors they receive in the workforce are a tribute to the individual’s hard work and effort. Our graduates continually give back to our program by teaching, taking part in programming with our students, and keeping in touch with us to let us know what their experience in the program and in the workforce has been like to help us continuously improve.

“We have an excellent group of dedicated staff and faculty who are ready to help students get the education, skills, and tools they need to either start their career in the information professions or enhance what they are already doing,” Buntin concludes.

For more information, visit: https://ci.uky.edu/sis

University of Tennessee, Knoxville

The MSIS program at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville’s School of Information Sciences comprises a combination of on-campus and synchronous online courses, predominantly the latter. It offers both library and information science pathways, with technology an integral component of the curriculum. Half of the pathways are related to academic, public, and school librarianship as well as archives/digital collections and curation.

“The program has been accredited for over 52 years, and it is now ranked among the top ten nationally,” says Professor and Program Director Abebe Rorissa. “Our faculty and staff are dedicated to providing our students with an excellent educational experience and preparing them for success academically and professionally.”

The program continuously assesses its curriculum, updates courses and pathways, and introduces new topics to ensure that students are well-prepared to meet the field’s changing demands. But what really sets SIS apart from other MLIS programs, according to Rorissa, is its mission “to advance original ideas for an information society and lead by preparing ethical, innovative, and reflective information professionals.”

The program supports and encourages its 290 master candidates with student groups and organizations, including those affiliated with professional associations such as SAA, SLA, TLA, and ALA. The student advisory council provides feedback on creating a community among students, faculty, staff, and alumni, and the school publishes a weekly newsletter featuring student, alumni, and faculty news and achievements. There is also a virtual social hour every semester.

To assist students with their career goals, the program hosts an annual “career week” and other events such as “practicum fairs” to help students network with alumni and other established information science professionals.

“We are proud to produce alumni—including one alum on the 2024 Movers & Shakers list —who are ambassadors of our program, our school, and library and information sciences,” Rorissa adds. “These alumni embody the ‘volunteer spirit’ that sets the University of Tennessee apart. Their service to their communities and professions lights the way and inspires current and future students to achieve the same kind of impact in their work.”

For more information, visit: https://sis.utk.edu/graduate-programs/masters-programs

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