Specialization in Special Collections at Indiana University SLIS

A Master of Library Science (M.L.S.) with Specialization in Special Collections degree program has been instituted by the School of Library and Information Science (SLIS) at Indiana University (IU). This specialization joins others in the IU M.L.S. program that tailor the expertise of students to meet the demands of a specific market.

The Special Collections program is intended to prepare students for careers in rare books and manuscripts librarianship and archives administration. Professional opportunities for such graduates exist in rare books, archives, preservation, historic conservation, manuscript administration, and related areas of libraries, museums, and other organizations.

The specialization will require students to complete all requirements for the M.L.S. degree and to complete in the elective portion of their programs at least four of the following courses, to be chosen in consultation with the student's academic adviser:

L515 History of the Book

L516 Introduction to Archives and Records Management or, at the IUPUI campus, H547 Archives

L585 Descriptive Bibliography

L586 Administration of Manuscripts and Personal Papers

L587 Rare Books Libraries and Librarianship

L620 Topics: Reference Sources in Rare Books Librarianship

L597 Library Preservation

L596 Internship: work in a position related to special collections

In cooperation with the SLIS faculty, this specialization is made possible through the teaching and advising contributions of the following members of the Indiana University Libraries faculty: Philip Bantin, Director of University Archives; Lorraine Olley, Head of Preservation; Joel Silver, Curator of Books, Lilly Library; and Saundra Taylor, Curator of Manuscripts, Lilly Library. The extensive holdings of manuscripts, rare books, and special collections in many fields, which are included in the holdings of the renowned Lilly Library, add an invaluable depth of resources and dimension of experience to this new program.

Students interested in this specialization may apply to the Master of Library Science degree program, expressing interest in the Specialization in Special Collections. Admission to the specialization may be limited by the class size of some elective courses.

For application materials contact:

For admission procedures and degree requirements, visit http://www.slis.indiana.edu