Colleagues- It looks like we may be losing another library school. The
University of Arizona (in Tucson, AZ) is considering cutting its library
school program. I graduated from there with my MLS and so I am very
concerned. The UA President Peter Likins released a lengthy memo listing
programs he plans to cut at
http://ali.opi.arizona.edu/X1/excellence/fb20a.html. I can see the
university deciding to cut a PHD program in French that hasn't graduated
anyone in the past three years, but I cannot imagine why they'd want to
shut down the library school. I have written the following short letter
in response to this proposal and hope that if you are a U of A graduate
or even just a concerned librarian that you will write to President
Likins at focus@email.arizona.edu and let him know that it is important
to keep the library school program going.
Thanks a lot-
Amy
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President Likins-
I am an alumnae of the School Of Information Resources And Library
Science (SIRLS) program at the U of A and I am very concerned about the
potential elimination of the masters in library science program. While
there have been some accreditation difficulties, the SIRLS program has
survived and has the potential to flourish if given the opportunity and
support from administration. Cutting this program would be a grave
disservice to your immediate community and society at large, as the
shortage of librarians (see
http://www.ala.org/pio/presskits/recruitment/facts.html) is a looming
problem.
Even in this time of economic downturn, the President and First Lady
recognize the importance of librarians and have committed funding for
libraries (see
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2003/01/20030123-4.html). Mrs.
Bush sums up the situation in this news release: "Along with our homes
and schools, libraries and museums provide the strongest foundation for
learning in our communities. Museum directors and librarians educate and
inform the public, and and by doing so, by doing so, strengthen our
great democracy."
Additionally, in an age where more and more people are becoming
knowledge workers rather than manual laborers, librarians are becoming
more and more essential. Cutting the SIRLS program will have long term
detrimental effects on the Tucson community as well as the larger entire
community- from children who are learning to read to adults who need
information to broker business transactions. I can see why a PHD in
French may no longer be necessary or helpful to the U of A, but a
library program is certainly essential to the future of education and
information services in America.
I personally loved the SIRLS program and think the quality of
instruction is fabulous. I have encouraged several other people to
enroll at U of A instead of other library programs as I thought there
was more of a commitment on the part of the U of A to the future of
librarians.
I sincerely hope you will recognize the necessity of keeping the SIRLS
program active and functioning.
Sincerely,
Amy Hale-Janeke, JD, MLS
Class of '99
-- __________________________________ Amy Hale-Janeke, J.D., M.L.S. Reference Librarian/Media Coordinator San Diego County Public Law Library 1105 Front Street San Diego, CA 92101-3904 (619) 531-4437 ahale@sdcll.org http://www.sdcll.org
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