Mission & history

Vision

International excellence in research and education in Information.

Mission

The Faculty of Information (iSchool) at the University of Toronto is a research-led Faculty, educating the next generation of professional and academic leaders in Information, who join us in transforming society through collaboration, innovation, and knowledge creation.

Goals

1)    To maintain world leadership in innovative scholarship
 
a)    By establishing and executing a research agenda that reflects coherent and collaborative iSchool leadership in Information research

b)    By acquiring external funding for iSchool research and international research partnerships

c)    By managing effective knowledge transfer of iSchool research

2)    To gain international renown for life-long, enquiry-centred education

a)    By observing that the iSchool’s teaching, in all its forms, is affecting teaching and learning practices in Information education generally

b)    By producing graduates who have knowledge and values appropriate to their future exercise of economic, cultural, and/or social leadership

c)    By creating a life-long educational continuum that incorporates programs at the undergraduate, professional master’s, academic master’s, and doctoral levels, with associated professional and executive development capabilities

d)    By exploring distributed education program oppportunities in Information

3)    To contribute to shaping the social space of Information in Toronto, in Ontario, in Canada, and internationally

a)    By being catalyst, conduit, and advocate, linking leading research in Information and innovations in professional and institutional practice, to practice changes in Information institutions and in the shaping of public policy

b)    By raising public awareness of Information and advocating for Information issues

c)    By enabling the life-long intellectual growth of our graduates, supporting them as they participate in shaping the Information society

4)    To foster initiatives that support sustainable social and economic development at local, regional, provincial and national levels

a)    By promoting awareness and recognition of the sectors in which the iSchool’s graduates work and how their actions support prosperity development

b)    By educating graduates capable of facilitating innovation in the Information economy and society

c)    By fostering, where appropriate, the take-up of research (e.g. new Information methods and processes) that generate wealth

d)    By creating consultancy, partnership, and service initiatives to enable iSchool outreach

5)    To nurture an enriching environment in which to study, research, and work

a)    By fostering an environment that encourages and supports innovation, creativity, and opportunity at all iSchool levels, from students to leading researchers

b)    By providing superior support for faculty, staff, and students alike

c)    By creating teaching, learning, research, and communication spaces appropriate to our Mission and Goals

 

Our Deans and Directors

Deans

  • 2009–            Seamus Ross
  • 2003–2008:  Brian Cantwell Smith
  • 1995–2003:  Lynne Howarth
  • 1990–1995:  Adele Fasick
  • 1984–1990:  Ann Schabas
  • 1979–1984:  Katherine Packer
  • 1972–1979:  Francess Halpenny
  • 1972              Brian Land

Directors

  • 1964–1972:  Brian Land
  • 1951–1964:  Bertha Bassam
  • 1928–1951:  Winifred G. Barnstead


Our history

The Faculty of Information at the University of Toronto has evolved rapidly since its beginnings in 1928. It is home to:

  • An internationally recognized American Library Association (ALA) accredited Master’s program in Information Studies in Canada
  • The first PhD program in Information Studies in Canada
  • The first iSchool in Canada
  • The only English language Master's program in Museum Studies in Canada

2011

  • This year marks the centenary of Marshall McLuhan’s birth. In celebration, the University of Toronto, McLuhan’s home for decades, is hosting an international conference on the past, present, and future of McLuhan’s work and influence, from November 7–10, 2011
     
  • The Digital Curation Institute at the iSchool launches its first lecture series. This year's speaker, Professor Costis Dallas, delivers five one-hour lectures between March 22 and April 5, 2011
     
  • A dedicated team pulls together an excellent line-up of speakers for a three-part series called The IS Career Cafe, targeting those interested in Information Systems
     
  • iSchool hosts The Bertha Bassam Lecture on April 14, 2011, with guest speaker David Carr
     
  • Faculty of Information announces its intention to host the next iConference in Toronto, Canada, from February 7–10, 2012.

2010

  • The Professional Learning Centre (PLC) becomes the iSchool Institute (iSI), with an expanded mandate: to act as the public outreach arm of the iSchool
     
  • The iSchool launches the Digital Curation Institute (DCI)
     
  • The Knowledge Media Design Institute (KMDI) joins the iSchool as a multidisciplinary unit

2009

  • The ALA-accredited Master of Information (MI) degree is introduced, replacing the MISt degree.

2008

  • FIS becomes the Faculty of Information, the iSchool at the University of Toronto.  The name change reflects its closer alignment with the iSchool movement

2006

  • The Department of Museum Studies joins FIS
     
  • The Master of Museum Studies degree program becomes a program administered by FIS

2004

  • Professor and Dean Brian Cantwell Smith publishes a new academic plan for the Faculty, entitled Stepping Up: Information Practice in the 21st Century
     
  • FIS joins the iSchool movement
     
  • Four new collaborative programs are introduced:
    • Addiction Studies
    • Aging and the Life Course
    • Centre for Environment
    • Women's Studies

2003

  • A four-year joint degree program in Information Studies and Law (MISt/JD) is introduced. FIS creates and delivers these collaborative programs with other university departments
    • Book History and Print Culture
    • Knowledge Media Design

2002

  • The Diploma of Advanced Study in Information Studies, a post-Master's diploma, is introduced

1997

  • Major renovation of the library. The integration of people, technology, services, information resources, and teaching results in the creation of the Inforum

1995–1996

  • The ALA-accredited Master of Information Studies (MISt) degree is introduced, replacing the MLS and MIS degrees

1994

  • FLIS becomes the Faculty of Information Studies (FIS)

1993

  • The archives specialization is introduced into the MLS program

1988–1989

  • A separate Master of Information Science (MISt) degree is launched. New faculty members are appointed to teach in the new program

1982

  • The Faculty of Library Science becomes the Faculty of Library and Information Studies (FLIS)
  • New computing facilities and curriculum changes reflect this name change

1979

  • FLS joins other university departments in the Working Group on Information Technology and Society
     
  • FLS hosts the Symposium on Information Technology and the Toronto/Waterloo Cooperative on Information Technology

1974

  • The first library science PhD degree in Canada is awarded to Claire England
     
  • The ALA re-accredits the Master of Library Science program

1973

  • FLS offers the first formal continuing education courses in Library Science in the country.

1972

  • The School of Library Science attains Faculty status, and becomes the Faculty of Library Science (FLS)

1971

  • The School of Library Science moves to new facilities at 140 St. George Street
     
  • The School offers the first Doctor of Philosophy in Library Science program in Canada

1970

  • The one-year Bachelor of Library Science (BLS) program is discontinued
     
  • A new, two-year Master of Library Science (MLS) program is offered

1968

  • Students receive formal representation on the School Council

1965

  • The library school severs ties with the Ontario College of Education and is renamed the School of Library Science
     
  • The School of Library Science moves to 167 College Street and 256 McCaul Street
     
  • The one-year Master's program is expanded to four terms
     
  • The Library Science Master's degree becomes a standard requirement for becoming a professional librarian

1962

  • The library school receives its own Council and representation on the University Senate

1954

  • The diploma program is withdrawn

1951

  • A total of 659 BLS degrees have been awarded by the end of this year
     
  • The first Master's degree in librarianship in Canada is awarded by the University of Toronto to Esther Jacobsen.

1950

  •  The school introduces a second-year, ALA-accredited Master's program

1937

  • The BLS program receives American Library Association (ALA) accreditation

1936

  • 289 students from across Canada have completed the diploma program to date
     
  • The University of Toronto introduces the Bachelor of Library Science (BLS) degree
     
  • The Diploma in Librarianship program continues for those with only high school qualifications

1929

  • 31 graduate diplomas are awarded
     
  • The graduating class of 1928-1929 found the Alumni Association.

1928

  • The University of Toronto establishes Ontario's first formal library school with a full-year academic program in Library Science
     
  • The library school is located at the Ontario College of Education, at Bloor and Spadina
     
  • Graduates receive a Diploma in Librarianship from the school, and a Librarian's Certificate from the Government of Ontario's Department of Education

1911

  • Toronto Public Library offers the first library training course in Ontario


Some sources

Bassam, B. (1978). The Faculty of Library Science, University of Toronto, and its predecessors, 1911-1972. Toronto: Faculty of Library Science.

Henderson, D. (2004). University of Toronto. Faculty of Information Studies. ELAN: Ex Libris Association Newsletter (Special issue, Summer 2004): 8–13.