Information science as a liberal art

Abstract

PurposeAttempts to deal with the issue of how we can educate the next generation of leaders for the information needs of the future.Design/methodology/approachUses a case study: the thinking behind the new information science program at Cornell University.FindingsAdvocates a broad view of information science. In a rapidly changing world, leadership will come from flexible thinking based on a broad understanding of technology and the social sciences. In the American terminology, information science should be considered a liberal art, not a profession. An education in information science provides an excellent foundation for a career in libraries, publishing or information services, but there are many more career opportunities for somebody with this education.Originality/valueMost recent initiatives in information science have come from professional schools of librarianship. By starting from a liberal arts viewpoint, universities may be meeting the needs of a very wide audience.