The School of Library and Information Science (SLIS) at 5X has moved up in the rankings of the nation’s top schools of library and information studies, according to the latest edition (2014) of U.S. News and World Report’s“Best Graduate Schools.” Kent State SLIS is now ranked overall at #18 (up from #20). The school’s Services for Children and Youth program now ranks in the top 10 (at #10, up from #13). “This is wonderful news for Kent State,” SLIS Director Tomas Lipinski, J.D., LL.M., Ph.D., said. “It proves that the school is headed in the right direction. It also testifies to the excellence of our faculty and staff, as well as the success of our alumni and students.” Lipinski became director of SLIS at Kent State in January 2013. U.S. News ranked 51 master's degree programs in library and information studies in the United States that are accredited by the American Library Association. The rankings are based solely on the results of a fall 2012 survey sent to the dean of each program, the program director, and a senior faculty member in each program, asking them to choose top programs noted for excellence in each specialty area. The rankings will be featured in the "Best Graduate Schools 2014" edition, available on April 9. Kent State SLIS has Ohio’s only accredited Master of Library and Information Science degree program, offering courses in Kent, Columbus (State Library of Ohio) and through a fully online option. The school also offers a Master of Science in Information Architecture and Knowledge Management and participates in an interdisciplinary Ph.D. in the College of Communication and Information. It is one of the largest library schools in the country, with more than 650 students. For more information, visit www.kent.edu/slis.
Media Contact: Flo Cunningham, fcunning@kent.edu, 330-672-0003