Perhaps you’ve walked past this building countless times. Today we will pause here at the Department of Information Studies. It is a place with a rich history. It is now part of the University of Copenhagen.
Once an independent institution, the Department of Information Studies has evolved. It started as the Danish State Library School in 1918. In 1956, it became an independent institution. It replaced the Danish State Library School. The institution officially became its own entity.
Initially, its primary goal was to educate public librarians. Those graduating would become librarians in public libraries. The Royal School of Library and Information Science extended its offerings in 1969. They added a specialized program for national research and academic libraries. In 1985, these programs merged into a joint library degree program.
The school gained university status in 1998. The first PhD thesis in Library and Information Science was defended in 2004. The first doctoral degree was awarded in 2006. In 2010, the name changed. It became Det Informationsvidenskabelige Akademi. It translates to Royal School of Library and Information Science.
In 2013, a significant change occurred. The RSLIS merged with the University of Copenhagen. The name changed again on December 1, 2017. It became the Department of Information Studies. Then, on September 1, 2019, it merged again. It joined the Department of Media Cognition and Communication. It created the Department of Communication at the University of Copenhagen.
The Department of Information Studies has adapted to changing times. It closed its Aalborg branch in the summer of 2017. The department offers various academic programs. These include Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD degrees. Specialized courses are available too. These include post-professional Master’s degrees and diploma courses.
The curriculum emphasizes knowledge design and media. Students study media theories, information architecture, and user behavior. The Master’s program allows students to focus on specific research fields.
Research is a key component. The Royal School of Library and Information Science organizes research into several programs. Libraries and Innovative Processes is a program. Information Systems and Interaction Design is another. Other programs include Information Literacy and Practice and Cultural Mediation. There is also Knowledge and Information Theory.
The Department of Information Studies has fostered collaborations. They have cooperation agreements with Aalborg University. They also have agreements with the University of Copenhagen. Furthermore, they have an agreement with Wuhan University in China.
The Department of Information Studies has had many leaders. Preben Kirkegaard was rector from 1956 to 1983. Ole Harbo followed from 1983 to 1998. Leif Lørring then took over from 1998 to 2007. Lars Qvortrup briefly held the position in 2007. Per Hasle served from 2008 to 2017. Jens-Erik Mai has been the Institutleder since 2017.
Today the Department of Information Studies continues to evolve. It shapes the future of information science. It contributes to the understanding of knowledge. It influences communication in a digital age. As we move on, remember the rich history. Consider the ongoing impact of this institution.