Mission Statement

Welcome to the Department of Library Information and Media Studies (LIMS), located in the College of Education. The LIMS Department currently prepares professionals to work in K-12 school systems as School Library Information Specialists. The LIMS program is approved by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE), accredited by NCATE (National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education), and recognized by the American Association of School Libraries (AASL).

The LIMS program is currently being revised and expanded to prepare professionals to manage public, academic and special library and information agencies. It has also been granted precandidacy status by the Committee on Accreditation of the American Library Association (ALA). Precandidacy status is an indication that LIMS has voluntarily committed to participate in the ALA accreditation process and is actively seeking accreditation. Precandidacy does not indicate that the program is accredited nor does it guarantee eventual accreditation of the program by ALA.

Master of Science in Library Science
      Our MSLS program is distinctive in that it offers:

• Thesis and non-thesis options,
  
• Professors with extensive experience both in the classroom and working in the real world of libraries,
• Convenient scheduling and distance education options, and
  
• Very affordable tuition and fees

Currently, the MSLS program has three concentrations:

1.       School Library Information Specialist will qualify certified teachers and those seeking initial teacher certification for the State of Illinois Initial or Standard Library Information Specialist Certificate (K-12, Type 10). 

2.       Technology in Libraries

3.       Public, Academic, and Special Libraries

Endorsements
The department also offers a non-degree endorsement in School Library Media for teachers who are already certified.

 

If you have questions regarding our program, please call us at 773.995.2598. We look forward to hearing from you.