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Library and Information Science: Libraries and Librarianship

In the Master of Library and Information Science: Libraries and Librarianship Concentration at Simmons University, you'll focus on the principles of managing a library collection and guiding patrons in their quest for information.

In the Master of Library and Information Science: Libraries and Librarianship Concentration at Simmons University, you’ll focus on the principles of managing a library collection and guiding patrons in their quest for information. 

Libraries are a cornerstone of contemporary society. Simmons SLIS offers education in archives, cultural heritage informatics, information science, and technology, but has never lost sight of libraries and librarianship as the center of our renowned program in library and information science. Students who are interested in careers in libraries have directed course work, programming, and a community of peers to support their academic, extracurricular, and professional endeavors. At Simmons SLIS, we “celebrate the L” in Library and Information Science. 

Why pursue a degree in this academic area?

Are you interested in a profession in libraries, and would like a program focused on the unique challenges of this role in the community? This program will address all of the dynamic elements of 

  • selecting, organizing, managing, and providing access to collections of information materials;
  • working with patrons to help guide them in their pursuit of information and knowledge and services;
  • interacting with people and technologies and resources; and
  • supporting the libraries through the thoughtful application of planning, evaluation, and management theories and practices.

What will this degree teach students?

Students will receive a comprehensive education in information sources and services, information organization, and principles of management. They will learn the technology skills necessary for a library setting, as well as user instruction and collection development. They will also have the option to learn more deeply about public, special, or academic libraries. 

What can you do with this degree? What types of jobs or advanced higher ed opportunities do students pursue when they graduate?

Graduates of the Libraries and Librarianship Concentration will be prepared to begin their professional careers in public, special, or academic libraries. The following is a sampling of jobs appropriate for a concentrator in Libraries and Librarianship:

  • Cataloging and Acquisition Librarian
  • Children's Librarian
  • Collection Development / Subject Librarian
  • Digital Initiatives Librarian
  • Electronic Resources Librarian
  • Emerging Technologies Librarian
  • Information Literacy Librarian
  • Legal Information Librarian
  • Liaison Librarian
  • Library Director
  • Medical Librarian
  • Metadata Librarian
  • Outreach and Marketing Librarian
  • Preservation Librarian
  • Public Services / Reference Librarian
  • Scholarly Communication Librarian
  • Technical Services Librarian

Students in the MS (LIS) degree program must complete 36 credits of graduate coursework to be qualified to earn the MS (LIS) degree.

MS (LIS) students must maintain a cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.0 to continue in the program.

Students in the School Library Teacher (SLT) concentration must receive a “B” (3.0) or better in every course. Any course in which the student has received a grade lower than a B must be repeated before the candidate may enroll in a practicum or be recommended for licensure. See “Degree Progress and Academic Sanctions” for further information.

Concentrations and Specializations

LIS students may choose to focus their studies by following a degree concentration curriculum designed to prepare students to work in a variety of information institutions with a diversity of materials and tools. Students who choose to concentrate their studies must complete the LIS core courses required of all MS students as well as a sequence of courses required to earn the degree concentration.

Program Requirements

MS (LIS) students are required to complete three courses equaling nine (9) credits of core coursework in library and information science.

LIS407 Information Service, Behaviors & Ethics 3
LIS415 Information Organization 3
 
LIS488 Technology for Information Professionals 3
or, if a student is in the School Library Teacher Program (SLTP)
LIS460 Technology and the School Library Teacher 3

These core courses must be completed within a student’s first twelve (12) hours of coursework. SLT students must complete LIS 407 and LIS 415 within their first twelve (12) hours of coursework and may complete LIS 460 any time during the course of their degree program.

The School has initiated a program to provide a common base of knowledge of the technologies and tools students will encounter during the course of their studies, as well as resources available to them as a Simmons LIS student. All students entering the program are required to register for the 0-credit LIS 400 – Virtual Orientation, which introduces students to the full range of academic, administrative, and social expectations for students, and the environment in which they must meet those expectations. Intended for both online and on campus students, this course describes program requirements; university, school, and program policy; and offers information about the full range of resources available to the students in support of their programs. It also offers basic tutorial and instruction related to the use of Moodle (the learning management system used in online and on campus courses), library resources, and other key tools used to support student learning.


LIS students may choose to focus their studies by following a degree concentration curriculum designed to prepare students to work in a variety of information institutions with a diversity of materials and tools. Students who choose to concentrate their studies must complete the LIS core courses required of all MS students as well as a sequence of courses required to earn the degree concentration.

Archives Management Concentration Course Requirements

LIS core courses (9 credits):

LIS407 Information Service, Behaviors & Ethics 3
LIS415 Information Organization 3
LIS488 Technology for Information Professionals 3

Take the following (9 credits):

LIS438 Introduction to Archival Theory and Practice 3
LIS440 Archival Access and Use 3
LIS442 Establishing Archives and Manuscript Programs 3

One of the following (3 credits):

LIS433 Oral History 3
LIS441 Appraisal of Archives and Manuscripts 3
 
LIS443 Archives, History and Collective Memory 3
OR
HIST527 Archives, History, and Collective Memory 4
LIS456 Records Management 3
LIS471 Photographic Archives and Visual Information 3
LIS472 Moving Image Archives 3
LIS476 Outreach and Advocacy for Cultural Heritage 3
LIS506 Government Archives 3

One of the following (3 credits):

LIS439 Preservation Management 3
LIS444 Digital Preservation 3
LIS448 Digital Stewardship 3

Four elective courses (12 credits)

Cultural Heritage Informatics Concentration Course Requirements

LIS core courses (9 credits):

LIS407 Information Service, Behaviors & Ethics 3
LIS415 Information Organization 3
LIS488 Technology for Information Professionals 3

Take the following (9 credits):

LIS432 Concepts Cult Heritage Informatics 3
LIS438 Introduction to Archival Theory and Practice 3
LIS477 Digital Asset Management 3

One of the following (3 credits):

LIS439 Preservation Management 3
LIS444 Digital Preservation 3
LIS448 Digital Stewardship 3
Five elective courses (15 credits)

Self-Directed Concentration Course Requirements

LIS core courses (9 credits):

LIS407 Information Service, Behaviors & Ethics 3
LIS415 Information Organization 3
LIS488 Technology for Information Professionals 3

Nine elective courses (27 credits) 

Information Science and Technology Concentration Course Requirements

LIS core courses (9 credits):

LIS407 Information Service, Behaviors & Ethics 3
LIS415 Information Organization 3
LIS488 Technology for Information Professionals 3

Take the following (9 credits):

LIS458 Database Management 3
LIS484 Theories of Information Science 3
LIS485 Introduction to Programming 3

Any two from the complete list below (6 credits):

Systems Oriented
LIS467 Web Development and Information Architecture 3
LIS486 Systems Analysis in Information Science 3
LIS487 Data Interoperability 3
User Oriented
LIS421 Social Informatics 3
LIS455 Usability and User Experience Research 3
LIS462 Digital Libraries 3
LIS465 Knowledge Management 3
LIS475 Organizational/Information Ethics 3
LIS500 Independent Study 3

Four elective courses (12 credits)

Requirements List

Libraries and Librarianship Concentration Course Requirements

LIS core courses (9 credits):

LIS407 Information Service, Behaviors & Ethics 3
LIS415 Information Organization 3
LIS488 Technology for Information Professionals 3

Take the following (9 credits):

LIS404 Principles of Management 3
LIS408 User Instruction & Information Literacy 3
LIS453 Collections Development and Management 3

One of the following (3 credits):

LIS414 Special Libraries 3
LIS450 Public Libraries 3
LIS451 Academic Libraries 3
Five elective courses (15 credits)

School Library Teacher Concentration Course Requirements

LIS core courses (6 credits):

LIS407 Information Service, Behaviors & Ethics 3
LIS415 Information Organization 3

Take the following (24 credits)

LIS406 Management and Evaluation of School Library Programs 3
LIS459 Fundamentals of School Librarianship 3
LIS460 Technology and the School Library Teacher 3
LIS461 Curriculum and Instructional Strategies for the School Library Teacher 3
LIS481 Library Collections and Materials for Children 3
LIS483 Library Collections and Materials for Young Adults 3
LIS498 Practicum (PreK-8) 3
LIS499 Practicum (7-12) 3
Two elective courses (6 credits)

Our Faculty

Rebecca Davis photo

Rebecca Stallworth

Assistant Professor

Lisa Hussey photo

Lisa Hussey

Professor and Director of Self-directed Concentration

Daniel Joudrey photo

Daniel Joudrey

Professor and Director of Libraries and Librarianship Concentration

Amy Pattee photo

Amy Pattee

Professor

Eric Poulin photo

Eric Poulin

Assistant Professor of Practice and Coordinator, SLIS West

Laura Saunders photo

Laura Saunders

Professor and Associate Dean of SLIS

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