About

The first MLS (Master of Library Service) degree was awarded at Dalhousie University’s May 1971 Convocation.

From 1979 to 1985 the program undertook a complete revision of its curriculum, which was then implemented over two academic years from fall 1985 to winter 1987. At the end of the revision process the name of the school and the degree offered were changed to reflect the new curriculum with its integration of librarianship and information studies. The School of Library Services became the School of Library and Information Studies, and the first Master of Library and Information Studies degrees were awarded in May 1987.

Continuing to evolve, our MLIS became an MI – Master of Information in 2019 after comprehensive deliberation. This change was motivated to reflect more accurately the content of the program, our program goals, and to be more inclusive of all the career options possible through our degree. This new name reflects the transitions within the profession, the new emerging workplace opportunities centered around digital transformation, data, community engagement and human centred design, and mirrors changes in similar programs across North American. The MI will provide a broad umbrella under which the program can grow in multiple directions, continuing to support diverse professional communities including librarians, archivists, information managers, information architects, data managers and user design experts.

Our degree, initially as an MLS, then MLIS and now MI has been continuously accredited by the American Library Association (ALA) since 1971.