Buffalo's first library studies program started in 1919, when university was still the private University of Buffalo. Under the leadership of Dr. Augustus Hunt Shearer the program, which offered a library science certificate and eventually a bachelor in library science, supported and aided the development of libraries in Western New York. In the early 1940's, Dr. Shearer's health began to fail and a closer examination of the program raised several concerns, including the lack of accreditation from the American Library Association (ALA). The program was phased out and eventually closed in 1945.

The University of Buffalo joined with the State University of New York (SUNY) to become the University at Buffalo (UB) in 1962. Shortly after, in 1965, SUNY began exploring the establishment of a library science program at Buffalo. UB President Clifford Furnas welcomed the idea and created an ad hoc committee to organize the new school.

The School of Information and Libraries Studies (SILS) began offering classes in the fall of 1966 as part of the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Sciences. Dr. Vincent Giuliano, a computer expert and mathematician, was hired as dean in 1967. SILS had a rocky beginning, with Dr. Giuliano's resignation as dean in 1969 and lack of resources for the school.

In 1970, the students revolted at SILS' status and undetermined future. By means of response, a search committee for a new dean was quickly established and an offer of deanship was extended to Dr. George Bobinski. With construction of the new north campus in Amherst in the 1970's, SILS moved from Hayes Hall on South Campus into Bell Hall. In collaboration with the Higher Education Department of the Faculty of Educational Studies, SILS began to offer a Ph.D. in Higher Education in 1977. In 1979, a dual master's in music librarianship was established.

The 1980's was a period of growth for SILS. In 1982, the MLS program at SUNY Geneseo was ended. This affected SILS in a number of ways: Geneseo had a Rochester extension program that SILS resumed management of, several thousand monographs and serials of the Geneseo library were transferred to Lockwood Memorial Library, and SILS had an influx of new students. SILS moved to the third floor of Baldy Hall because of the additional facility needs. SILS faculty began work on a proposal for a library and information studies Ph.D. program, which was approved by SUNY and sent to the State Education Department.

Growth surged and continued into the early-mid 1990's. SILS was on the leading edge of technology and Dr. Neil Yerkey was instrumental in the establishment of Buffalo Free Net, a community information portal. An exchange program with the Jagiellonian University of Krakow, Poland took place over three years and brought international attention to SILS. In 1995, SILS established the Center for Applied Research in Library and Information Science, a research institute that was to be staffed with Doctoral candidates and conduct empirical studies for libraries and library networks. In 1997, Dr. John Ellison began offering online classes and developed them further, becoming a national expert on LIS distance education.

The 1990's also brought the end of SILS. SILS faculty began dialogues with the Department of Communications in the late 1990's and merged in 1999 to become the School of Information Studies. This new school was to integrate library and information studies, communication, and computer science. With Dr. Bobinski's announcement that he would step down as dean to resume full-time teaching, the new school was without a dean. After an unsuccessful search, Dr. Thomas Jacobson, chair of the communications department agreed to serve as acting dean.

The School of Information Studies changes its name in 2001 to the School of Informatics and Dr. David Penniman was appointed dean. Unfortunately, the School of Informatics was unable to realize its goal and never persuaded the Computer Science department to join. Provost Satish Tripathi dissolved the School of Informatics in 2006 and formed the Department of Library and Information Studies (DLIS) within the Graduate School of Education.

For a more detailed history of SILS, please see George Bobinski's A History of the School of Information and Library Studies at the State University of New York at Buffalo (1966-1999) in >IV. Subject files.

1919

Library studies begins at the University of Buffalo

1945

Library studies program ends

1966

School of Information and Library Studies is established within the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Sciences

1967

Dr. Vincent Giuliano appointed as Dean

1969

Dr. Vincent Giuliano resigns as Dean

1970

Students revolt at lack of dean and program development

Professor Dr. Edward O'Neill is appointed Acting Dean

Dr. George Bobinski is appointed Dean

1972

American Library Association accredits SILS

1975

SILS moves to Bell Hall on the new north campus

SILS separates from the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Sciences to become its own autonomous school

American Library Association reaccredits SILS, under new standards

1977

Ph.D. in Higher Education is started with cooperation with the Higher Education Department

1979

Double master's program in music librarianship starts

1982

SILS awards its one-thousandth MLS degree

SUNY Geneseo announces closing of its MLS program; SILS takes over its Rochester extension program

1983

SILS moves to third floor of Baldy Hall

1984

American Library Association reaccredits SILS

1991

American Library Association reaccredits SILS

25th Anniversary Capital Campaign

1992

Exchange program with Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Poland begins

SILS awards its two-thousandth MLS degree

1995

Center for Applied Research in Library and Information Science is established with Dr. George D'Elia as its director

1996

SILS moves to fifth floor of Baldy Hall and gains instructional technology lab in basement of Baldy Hall

US News and World Report ranks SILS as 18th in LIS programs

1997

Dr. John Ellison begins to offer online classes

Ph.D. program is approved by New York State Education Department, but its establishment is delayed

1999

American Library Association reaccredits SILS

Dean Bobinski announces his intentions take a sabbatical and return as teaching faculty

SILS merges with the Department of Communications and forms the School of Information Studies with Dr. Thomas Jacobson serving as acting dean

2001

The School of Information Studies changes its name to the School of Informatics and appoints Dr. David Penniman as dean

2006

The School of Informatics is dissolved and the libraries studies program becomes the Department of Information and Library Studies within the Graduate School of Education