Masters in Digital Libraries at the Johns Hopkins University

[Ann Okerson <ann.okerson@yale.edu>]

Of possible interest to readers of this list; reprinted with permission
from editors of LJ Academic News Wire.

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Library Journal Academic Newswire (TM)
March 18, 2003

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DIGITAL DEGREE: MASTERS IN DIGITAL LIBRARIES LAUNCHED AT JOHNS HOPKINS

Johns Hopkins University (JHU) announced last week that a concentration in
digital libraries will be offered as part of the school's Masters of Arts
in Communications in Contemporary Society. The Communications in
Contemporary Society program was begun in 2001 to address the
transformation of the information professions in the digital ages, "and no
profession has seen greater change than librarianship," said Peter
Decherney, the program's associate chair. According to Decherney, JHU is a
natural environment to study the issues facing digital libraries since the
university is home to the Digital Knowledge Center (DKC), a digital
library research and development department that is part of the Sheridan
Libraries. Sayeed Choudhury, DKC's director, will teach in the new
concentration.

Decherney added that just as many traditional library programs are merging
or partnering with communication studies, it was natural for a
communications department to address library issues, "especially since
librarians are becoming increasingly visible and important in the
information professions." He characterized the program as being useful
"for those who are already working in libraries, as a further degree," and
did not see it as competing with established programs in library and
information education. (JHU does not offer an LIS program.)  The program
is largely theoretical, offering an intellectual framework for digital
libraries as opposed to pragmatic courses on actually developing digital
content or services. "We keep returning to our advisors, but they
repeatedly say that's the education that's really needed,"  Decherney
says.

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