Jim Weinheimer said:
"Although I am not directly related to teaching in library schools, I do try to follow developments. Certainly, library schools have been closing for some time, or slowly merging into computing science."
Actually, the closing of library schools seems to have slowed for the time being. Eleven schools closed in the 1980s. Seven schools closed in the 1990s. Only one school (Clark-Atlanta in 2005) has closed in this decade. At the same time, two NEW schools have been accredited in this decade (Denver and Valdosta State), and a third is slated for accreditation action at ALA Midwinter. And there are three additional schools that have applied for ALA accreditation.
Only a few schools (Hawaii, LIU, Suny-Albany) look like they have merged with computing science departments. There are still quite a few standalone library schools. And most of the schools that have merged with other departments have tended to allign themselves with education or communication departments.
Bernie Sloan
Sora Associates
Bloomington, IN
Received on Sun Oct 05 2008 - 14:51:31 EDT