Vision & Values

The School of Information Studies (iSchool), established in 1896 and renamed as the Original Information School in 1974, has a long tradition of leading innovation and change. Our ideals and values are the foundation for our success.

The iSchool is a globally recognized leader in advancing knowledge and developing creative, thoughtful, and technically capable leaders in the information field.

Our Mission.

The mission of the iSchool is to expand human capabilities by connecting people, information, and technology. The faculty and staff of the iSchool are committed to preparing students to be leaders in the information field, advancing knowledge and using information to solve problems faced by individuals and organizations. Together, the faculty, staff and students of the iSchool impact research and the information profession through our scholarship, rigorous education opportunities, and commitment to service that advances science, improves professional practice, and contributes both to communities in which we live and more broadly to society.

iSchool of One.

We are a unified school. The faculty, staff, and students work together, not as individuals or groups who represent a specific area in which they work or affiliate. We challenge ourselves to benefit from the paradox of a single information field that is manifested in many professional expressions.

Our Values.

The culture, curriculum, and decision making at the iSchool are guided by our shared values.

Excellence

We are a student-centered institution committed to learning and intellectual diversity. As a community of scholars and practitioners, we pursue research and teaching excellence through the development, integration, and application of knowledge.

Discovery and Innovation

We value discovery and innovation to advance the information fields. We identify new opportunities, respond creatively to emerging issues, and lead our fields through partnerships and learning communities.

Integrity

As information professionals, we uphold intellectual honesty and responsibility. We carefully consider the implications of our actions, taking fairness and equity into consideration. We contribute to, and promote, the highest standards for the ethical use of information and technology.

Diversity and Inclusion

We strive for diversity in our community and celebrate difference. We embrace a multiplicity of voices to address social and technical challenges through interdisciplinary analysis and solutions

Global Citizenship and Engagement

We enable our iSchool community to participate actively as global citizens working to advance the common good. We have a responsibility to inform and improve society, and to influence policy through pedagogy, research, and advocacy.