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The Information Age
This is the information age, and we congratulate you on your interest in furthering your education at the School of Information and Library Science (SILS) at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Meeting the challenge of the Internet and dealing with information in its multiple formats are providing ongoing challenges for librarians, archivists, records managers, and information systems professionals. SILS provides high quality educational and research opportunities in an interdisciplinary learning environment. Here are some of reasons why you should consider joining us in Chapel Hill:
Faculty
SILS faculty members are known for their commitment to teaching and research, and also for their high level of interaction with students. Faculty come from a wide variety of backgrounds in areas ranging from information retrieval, health informatics, computer networking, and digital libraries to children's services and library, museum, and archives management.
Students
Our students come from across the nation and the world to be a part of our program. These talented individuals bring perspectives gained through a diversity of cultural backgrounds and educational and professional experiences. Because most students attend full time, there is a strong and supportive community at SILS that fosters student-student and student-faculty interaction.
Curriculum
The curriculum provides solid grounding in both the traditional and emerging areas of information and library science. SILS provides programs of study at all levels, ranging from an undergraduate major in information science to a Ph.D. in information and library science. The school also offers a certificate of advanced study. The school provides a range of continuing education opportunities as well as international programs with universities such as Oxford, Charles University in Prague, and the Royal School of Information and Library Science in Copenhagen. Dual master's degrees are available with a number of other schools.
Environment
The environment is attractive and intellectually dynamic. SILS is located in Manning Hall in the center of the UNC at Chapel Hill campus. The building houses the library and computer lab as well as faculty offices and research labs. Chapel Hill is a friendly and lively college town, and neighboring Raleigh and Durham offer big-city attractions within a short drive. The area is served by Raleigh-Durham International Airport.
The Research Triangle Park, located between Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill, is home to vibrant knowledge-intensive organizations that include federal government agencies and many private corporations.
Partnerships
The school's partnerships with local libraries of all types, industry, and governmental agencies have led to cooperative ventures and internship opportunities for students. SILS provides library services for the Environmental Protection Agency in Research Triangle Park which creates opportunities for internships and financial support for students. Internships are also available at UNC Libraries, through the Carolina Academic Library Associates (CALA) program. The members of the school's board of visitors provide valuable information about the knowledge and skills needed by new graduates and serve as links between SILS and the organizations that employ our graduates. Our opportunities for study abroad continue to expand.
Challenges and opportunities
For nearly 75 years, the school at UNC at Chapel Hill has educated individuals to work in the information and library science fields. Academic excellence has been a hallmark of the school since its founding.
Our graduates find employment in libraries, government agencies, corporations, and academic institutions and are among the leaders in the dynamic and changing world of the information practice professional.
Some graduates are also forming their own companies or developing their own information products and services in the private sector. SILS has a strong alumni association that affords ongoing opportunities for professional networking.
We are pleased that you are taking a look at the exciting field of information and library science and delighted that you are considering the School of Information and Library Science at UNC at Chapel Hill for your graduate or undergraduate program. You can call us at 919/962-8366 or plan a visit to the school to see our facilities and meet our faculty, staff, and students.
We will be happy to help you gain the information you need to make this important decision.