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MLIS Program
2004 Randolph Avenue
Mailstop #4125
St. Paul, MN 55105

Email: imdept-at-stkate.edu
Phone: 651-690-6802

Mission Statement

The Master of Library and Information Science program at the College of Saint Catherine educates students in the principles, practices, and ethics of library and information science, imbues them with a sense of service to diverse populations, and prepares them to be life-long learners and active leaders in a rapidly changing information society.

Guiding Principles

We, the faculty of the Master of Library and Information Science Program at the College of St. Catherine:

• Believe that information is an invaluable resource that must be collected, organized, preserved, and disseminated so that all people-regardless of age, gender, race, color, creed, ethnicity, socio-economic status, political persuasion, or sexual orientation-have equal access to the information they seek.
• Maintain that intellectual freedom is vital to a democratic society. We uphold the right of all individuals to create and use resources representing diverse points of view, and we are prepared to defend those rights.
• Support the principles of our profession's codes of ethics and strive to instill in our students the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct.
• Are dedicated to teaching the theories, knowledge, and skills students need to be proficient practitioners capable of preserving the records of the past, managing current resources, and transforming the future through appropriate use of technology.
• Challenge students to become critical thinkers, active learners, and creative scholars who can and will draw upon interdisciplinary studies to contribute to the body of knowledge in our field.
• Actively encourage students to lead "from where they are," in preparation for leadership positions at their place of employment, in the profession, and in the global information society.
• Believe the interests of our profession, our communities, our nation, and our world are best served through faculty/student teaching, scholarship, and service.
• Use systematic and continuous review and evaluation processes to assure quality education, both curricular and pedagogic, and to allocate human, financial, physical, and technological resources appropriately.

Goals

To achieve our Mission, we are committed to the following:

• Recruiting and retaining a highly-qualified, diverse student body.
• Providing a rigorous curriculum that ensures general competencies and specializations in the field of library and information science.
• Maintaining a talented, dedicated and diverse faculty who are scholars and active participants in the library profession.
• Providing innovative learning opportunities, strongly grounded in practice and technology, to ensure that our students are fully prepared to meet the needs of their chosen profession.
• Being inclusive by ensuring that all stakeholders in the MLIS program participate in the policy making process to ensure the highest quality educational experience.

Student Learning Objectives

The objectives of the MLIS degree program are to develop information literate, reflective practitioners who have the ability to:

• Identify and analyze information needs and opportunities of individuals and organizations, both within the traditional information service areas and the broader information sector.
• Practice a variety of management, communication and organizational skills to facilitate appropriate change within learning communities, cooperation among libraries and information agencies, and the development and maintenance of collegial relationships with fellow professionals.
• Develop and apply critical thinking to solve information problems by integrating relevant models, theories, research and practices.
• Communicate information and knowledge from library and information studies and related disciplines in a variety of formats, including effective use of oral, written, and technological presentations.
• Demonstrate information technology competency.
• Know how to select, acquire, organize, store, retrieve, and use recorded knowledge and information resources of all kinds.
• Promote the professional values of ethical responsibility, intellectual freedom, and universal access to information.
• Demonstrate awareness of culturally diverse groups, and serve them with respect and understanding.
• Promote information literacy by teaching others to identify, analyze, organize, and use information.
• Articulate and apply a philosophy of service that incorporates an awareness of the functions and legacy of libraries and information centers and of the factors influencing the creation, dissemination, and use of knowledge and information now and in the future.
• Develop and exercise leadership and advocacy skills in a variety of settings.
• Engage in professional growth through active and ongoing engagement in the profession and understand the larger context within which the profession operates.

St. Catherine University is an equal opportunity educator and employer.