Information Studies Department

Vision Statement

The Department of Information Studies educates, challenges, and inspires library, archival, and information professionals to be leaders in an information-driven and interconnected society.  The collection, organization, retrieval, preservation, management, and dissemination of information resources enrich cultures within society and promote equity, diversity, accountability, and intellectual development. 

Mission Statement

The Department’s mission is to provide and promote education and leadership in the library, archival, and information professions through distinguished teaching, research, and service. 

As one of three departments in UAlbany’s pioneering College of Computing and Information, it provides a unique blend of programs to put graduates at the leading edge of the Information Society. Working in a wide variety of formats, students learn how information is created, organized, represented, stored, accessed, retrieved, managed and protected in both traditional and non-traditional media. In addition, they investigate the uses and impacts of information and technology on individuals, organizations and society, including formal and informal communities, libraries, government, and business.

The M.S. in Information Science prepares students for jobs where the generation, management, and use of information is the dominant or essential requisite. It involves successful completion of 42 credits and provides five areas of concentration:

• Archives/Records Administration
• Library and Information Services
• Library and Information Services/School Library Media Specialist
• Information Management and Policy
• Information Systems and Technology

Two programs combine the M.S.I.S. and the M.A. in either English or History. The Department of Information Studies also offers a Certificate of Advanced Study, a post-master’s degree that allows students to pursue individualized programs related to information.

Department Faculty