Kent State University School of Library and Information Science and the State Library of Ohio were pleased to finally announce the relocation of the Kent State University School of Library and Information Science Columbus program to the State Library of Ohio. 

The relocation is a historical event as it will be first Library Science School within a state library since Melvil Dewey’s School of Library Economy at the State Library of New York opened in 1889.

Classes began with the 2008 summer term in the newly renovated 6,100 square foot space featuring state of the art classroom facilities, conference and meeting areas, offices, and a technology laboratory.

The Kent State University's School of Library and Information Science Columbus program moved from The Ohio State University and currently has over 150 students enrolled in the Masters in Library and Information Science (M.L.I.S.) degree program at the Columbus location. 

“The school’s relocation to the State Library offers immense opportunities for our students and faculty,” said Richard Rubin, director, Kent State University School of Library and Information Science. “The collaborative possibilities for library education and service should have a very positive impact on library service in the central Ohio region.”  

The State Library has a strong history of collaboration with Kent State including use of classroom and videoconference space and internship opportunities for students. “We look forward to an enhanced and mutually beneficial partnership with Kent State University. It’s possible that students will have an opportunity to participate in innovative and leading edge projects that we are undertaking here at the State Library including digitization projects and open source solutions,” said State Librarian Jo Budler.

In the past ten years alone 590 students have graduated with an M.L.I.S. from Kent State at the Ohio State University site. With three full-time faculty members, support and administrative staff, and more than 25 part-time adjunct instructors from all areas of professional librarianship, Kent State’s School of Library and Information Science degree program in Columbus provides access to an M.L.I.S. degree for students in the central region of Ohio. As the only American Library Association (ALA) accredited masters program in Ohio, library paraprofessionals and students new to the profession rely on Kent State University to provide a high quality, professional education.

The State Library of Ohio was established in 1817 and its mission is to lead and partner in the development of library services throughout Ohio; promote and enable resource sharing among libraries and library networks; provide access to information for Ohio's state government; and ensure that all Ohio residents, rich or poor, rural or urban, receive the best possible library service and are able to engage in lifelong learning which strengthens the economic health of Ohio.

Kent State University’s School of Library and Information Science is the largest single master’s program at the university. With over 600 students the school is ranked nationally by a U.S. News and World Report survey as 19th in the country.  Classes are offered at the Kent campus, in Columbus, and at varying distance learning sites throughout the state.