Legacy of Excellence

2010

• The Faculty of Information launches the Digital Curation Institute (DCI)
• The Knowledge Media Design Institute (KMDI) joins the Faculty of Information 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, a Tier One Member of  iSchool , an international association of universities that lead and promote programs for the information field worldwide. 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.

1971–present: Claude T. Bissell building, 140 St. George Street (seven floors and basement)

1965–1971: 165 College Street (two floors and basement) and 256 McCaul Street (two floors)

1928–1965: Ontario College of Education, 371 Bloor Street West, third floor

1928: Library School at U of T

1972: Faculty of Library Science (FLS)

1982: Faculty of Library and Information Science (FLIS)

1994: Faculty of Information Studies (FIS)

2005*: joins the iSchool (Information School) consortium

2008: Faculty of Information

1928: introduced Diploma of Librarianship (Dip. Lib.)

1936: replaced diploma program with Bachelor of Library Science (BLS) degree program

1937: BLS receives its first accreditation by the American Library Association (ALA)

1950: introduced the Master of Library Science (MLS) degree, a second-year program for those in BLS

1970: BLS discontinued. MLS becomes full two-year program

1971*: introduced Doctor of Philosophy in Library Science (PhD) degree program

1988: Master of Information Science (MIS) degree begins to be offered

1995: Master of Information Studies (MISt) degree program replaces both the MLS & MIS programs

1996: MISt is accredited by ALA. Last year all three degrees (MISt, MLS, MIS) are conferred

2002: Diploma of Advanced Study in Information Studies (DAIS) was introduced (post-graduate diploma program)

2006**: transferred Master of Museum Studies (MMSt) from School of Graduate Studies

2009: MISt changed to Master of Information (MI)

2016*: introduced Executive Master of Information (MI) in Information Systems & Design (ISD-E)

* Canada first
** only English-speaking Master’s program of its kind in Canada