About SILS

Welcome on behalf of Dean Giannini and the faculty, students and staff to the Pratt School of Information and Library Science.  We invite you to explore our Web site to learn more about our exciting programs and learning opportunities. Pratt Institute was founded in 1887, and the Library Science program was inaugurated shortly thereafter, in 1890. We pride ourselves on being a student-centered school where students are our raison d'être. SILS student associations enrich student life with lecutres, worshops, library, museum visits and other activities. (Photo left - Dean Giannini)

Degrees Offered: The Master's of Science in Library and Information Science (MSLIS) is at the heart of our program. In addition, we offer three dual degree programs: one that combines an MSLIS and MS in History of Art and Design administered in conjunction with Pratt Institutes's History of Art and Design department, one with the Department of Digital Arts, MSLIS and MFA in Digital Arts, as well as a joint degree, MSLIS and JD, with Brooklyn Law School. Two advanced certificates in archives and in museum libraries are available within the MSLIS. Our full-time faculty has expertise in the broad area of cultural informatics, encompassing arts and humanities librarianship and information science with emphasis on digital and social media.  We bring focus to the areas of information architecture, design and usability, information policy and international librarianship, information seeking behavior, children's librarianship, and school libraries.  A cadre of adjunct and visiting faculty members who are experts and recognized leaders in their various fields, from digital libraries and archives to art librarianship and knowledge organization, complements these areas, adding to student learning and understanding of the LIS field in professional contexts.  

Convenient Location in Manhattan. It is a great honor to hold the position of Dean of Pratt's School of Information & Library Science at this time of exciting change and advancement for the School and the profession. In fall of 2002, we moved the School headquarters to a newly renovated, beautiful building at 144 West 14th Street (between 6th and 7th Avenues) in Manhattan. We now are the only library school with headquarters in Manhattan. Our state-of-the-art facility is distinguished by smart classrooms, computer laboratories, faculty and staff offices, a cyberlab and conference room, and it occupies the entire 6th floor.  Our students use the computer lab and scanning lab on the 5th floor and a well-designed and equipped library on the 4th floor. Classes are also held at other Manhattan locations such as Weill Cornell Medical Center Library, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Brooklyn Public Library, and the New York Public Library Research Libraries.

A Time of Opportunity and Challenge in LIS.  We are fortunate that this is a time of expanding opportunities in the information professions, especially in the greater New York metropolitan area. Today's job market offers a rich array of professional opportunities that reach from the information technology sector to digital, academic, and special libraries and archives.  Our program also addresses emerging shortages of librarians in fields such as public libraries (especially children's services), the sciences, law and health information, and K-12 school libraries.

Preparing Students for Careers in LIS. Our aim is to provide a high quality graduate education in information and library science that prepares students to meet the challenges of the profession and to take on leadership roles in our global information society. To accommodate our students who work during the day, classes meet in the evenings and on the weekends. We host open houses once a month for students interested in pursuing the MSLIS at Pratt to help them get acquainted with our programs and to answer questions. As graduates and as a new professionals, we encourage you to keep pace with current trends, work creatively and with commitment, develop a personal vision and purpose, embrace today's changing information environment by being aware, flexible and adaptable, express your views and perspectives effectively, and pursue your goals and career with dedication and passion.

Student Life

We have an active and engaged student body.  Student organizations include SILSSA (Pratt School of Information and Library Science Student Association), the School's Student Chapter of the Special Libraries Association and our Student Chapter of ASIS&T.

Contact Us.  We welcome your interest in Pratt's program and encourage you to you to contact us by phone (212-647-7682), e-mail, or in person. Also, we encourage you to attend one of our Open Houses held several times a year.

Dean Tula Giannini, Ph.D., MLS, MM
giannini@pratt.edu