In 1911 it was a library school founded by Harriet Howe, Josephine Meissner, William E. Henry and Charles W. Smith, established in response to a growing need in the Western United States for highly trained, well-prepared librarians. history] Prior to 1911, untrained librarians in the Pacific Northwest were trained through a six-week summer course offered at the University of Washington. Name changes include: Department of Library Economy; Library School; Department of Library Science in the Graduate School; School of Librarianship; and Graduate School of Library and Information Science. Finally, in 2001, the school was renamed the Information School, becoming the newest independent school at the University of Washington. The Information School introduced several new continuing education certificate programs and degree programs in 2000 in response to changes in how people create, store, find, manipulate and share information. Under the leadership of Professor and Dean Emeritus Michael Eisenberg, the Information School introduced the Bachelor of Science in Informatics, online Master of Library and Information Science, Master of Science in Information Management, and Ph.D. in Information Science.
Directors and deans
1914-1931 William E. Henry
1931-1945 Ruth Worden
1945-1950 Robert L. Gitler
1950-1955 Gladys Boughton
1955-1956 Dorothy Bevis
1956-1972 Irving Lieberman
1972-1974 Mae Benne
1974-1981 Peter Hiatt
1981-1992 Margaret E. Chisholm
1992-1993 Edmond Mignon
1993-1996 Phyllis Van Orden
1996-1997 Edward Bassett
1997-1998 Betty Bengtson
1998-2006 Michael Eisenberg
2006-2017 Harry Bruce
2017-2018 Carole Palmer
2018-present Anind Dey
Curriculum
Bachelor's program
The Information School offers one undergraduate degree: the Bachelor of Science in Informatics. The Informatics program is a competitive two-year program focused on the design of information systems and services, with particular emphasis on the following areas:
The program touches on privacy issues, ethics, and management, as well as design, search engines, web development, and database design. Students study a broad range of areas in the information field, including: information management and technology, information-related research, interactive system design, human-computer interaction, and information science. The program's curriculum culminates in a design or research capstone project. The Informatics program has the largest enrollment of any program at the iSchool. Graduates of the program typically go on to jobs such as:
In 2017, the Information School added an Informatics minor. The minor complements a variety of majors on campus by offering students an opportunity to learn about data, design, policy, ethics, and code in order to solve information problems. It may be especially helpful to students in the humanities and social sciences who wish to know more about data, code, design, and policy.
Master's programs
The Information School offers two master's degrees: the Master of Science in Information Management and the Master of Library and Information Science.
Master of Science in Information Management (MSIM)
The MSIM program a day program, a traditional, daytime program for students of all academic and work backgrounds; and 2) an executive program, an evening and weekend program tailored to working professionals. Graduates work in a variety of professional areas and positions, including, but not limited to:
The MLIS is the iSchool's oldest degree. It is a two-year professional degree that prepares students for careers in library and information professions. Like its sister, the MSIM program, the MLIS program is divided into two sub-programs: 1) a day program for traditional students, and 2) a distance program for geographically disparate students. In 2017 the iSchool's MLIS program was ranked #2 in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. Additionally, the iSchool offers a third MLIS degree—the Law MLIS program, a one-year degree designed to prepare lawyers to serve as law librarians. The Law Librarianship program was the highest-ranked program in the nation by U.S. News & World Report in 2017.
Ph.D. program
The Ph.D. program is a theoretical, research-based doctorate in the field of Information Science. Research areas include data science, digital youth, health and well-being, human-computer interaction, indigenous knowledge, information and society, learning sciences, library and information sciences, and socio-technical information systems. Ph.D. program alumni have gone on to careers in public sectors and private sectors.
Leadership
The Founding Board offers strategic advice to the dean with a focus on building awareness of and attracting resources to the Information School. The Founding Board also leads fundraising initiatives for the Information School.
Faculty
As of October 2017, the Information School's faculty numbered 54 core members, along with numerous adjunct and affiliated faculty members. The school makes recruitment and retention of traditionally underrepresented groups among the priorities of its Faculty Affairs division. Working with the iSchool's Diversity Programs Coordinator, the UW Vice Provost for Faculty Advancement, and others, Faculty Affairs works to address systemic barriers and roadblocks through changes in policy and practice and in dialogue with the faculty and the community.
Student organizations
The Information School offers opportunities for students to participate in professional and student communities. The most prominent iSchool student groups are:
ASIS&T
GPSS
iArts
iPeer
iServe
SLA
SALA
Facilities
The school is in Mary Gates Hall, one of several university buildings bordering Drumheller Fountain. Formerly known as the Physics Building, it was renamed in 1995 after receipt of a $10 million gift from the family of Mary Maxwell Gates. In 1999 a $35 million expansion added updated classrooms and computer labs, office spaces, and commons, transforming the 1928 historic building and 1949 addition into a 175,000-square-foot quadrangle with a skylit commons at its center and a new main entry facing Suzzallo Library. The architects of the original building were John Graham & Company and the architects of record for the 1999 expansion were Bassetti Architects.
