1961 Library Science Department offers three specializations: school librarianship, curriculum materials, and public library service.1961 Library Science Department offers three specializations: school librarianship, curriculum materials, and public library service.
1964 Bachelor’s degree in librarianship is eliminated, and the curriculum is updated and expanded in anticipation of ALA accreditation.
1965 Concentrations in academic libraries and special libraries are added to the program. A 3.0 grade point average and the GRE will be required for admission.
1968 Department of Librarianship is separated from the School of Education and established as an independent unit within the Graduate Studies Division.
1969 On June 23, 1969, the American Library Association accredits the Department of Librarianship for the first time. President of ALA’s Library Education Division, Cora Bomar, officially notifies LIS Director Les Janke on August 28:
On behalf of the ALA Library Education Division I congratulate you and your colleagues for attaining ALA accreditation for your library education program. The addition of your institution to the list of accredited library schools will assist greatly in providing professional librarians for the many existing vacancies in the United States and abroad.
Joyce Backus was director of the library for 43 years. The Deprtment of Library Studies was established in 1928 under her direction.
