The L Word Versus the I Word :: Essays Papers

The L Word Versus the I Word Of the 49 ALA-accredited library science programs in the United States, only one - the School of Library Science at Clarion University - omits the word "information" from its name. The "L" word doesn't fare so well. Twenty-eight percent of accredited library science programs have dropped the word "library" from their name. Other "I" word schools don't bother to seek accreditation because they no longer see their mission as training librarians. The "L" word camp needs to accept the political realities facing LIS programs. Librarians condemn the loss of their beloved "L" word and have even demanded the ALA refuse to accredit schools that drop it. Names are important. By its name, we recognize the character and purpose of an organization. A library science school has a clear, focused mission - to educate and train students to become librarians. By contrast, the mission of an information school is broader and may (or may not) include the basic training of librarians. Being precise by nature, librarians prefer a name that is descriptive. More importantly, the "L" word signifies the rich cultural heritage that is librarianship. Happily, the majority of ALA-accredited schools use both the "L" and the "I" words to describe themselves. This is as it should be. The motivation for dropping the "L" word is fueled by a perceived lack of prestige and a belief that the word "library" limits the scope of education. While universities do look down upon library science as a discipline lacking academic depth, a name change alone will not cure that opinion. There is a more serious issue at stake - that of theory versus skills. Here, I depart from the "L" word camp and inch closer to the side of information. The scope of an LIS education must be broader than the traditional library science core. As Childers points out, "†¦it's clear that information handling is bigger than one institution - bigger than the library institution but including it..." The science of information is a compelling and dynamic field not limited to librarians. Webmasters, programmers, information brokers, and, yes, librarians can all be taught under the same theoretical umbrella. The interactions of students on different career tracks can be a positive and energizing force within an LIS program. Librarians lament the lack of skills training, but theory is, and must remain, central to LIS. According to Fallis and Fricke, a librarian requires a theoretical graduate-level education, in addition to specific skills.