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University of Washington

University of Washington Information School

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Master of Library and Information Science

  • Informatics
  • MLIS
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    • MLIS Law Librarianship
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  • Professional & Cont. Ed.

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What is Library and Information Science?

  1. Programs
  2. MLIS
  3. What Is Library and Information Science?

Library and Information Science is a profession that is full of people passionate about making a positive change in the world, and they tend to be wildly happy about what they do.

Librarians bridge the gaps that exist between people, information and technology. In their professional lives, librarians and information professionals work to:

  • Design and develop knowledge-organization systems
  • Create reader’s advisory resources to encourage young students to develop a lifelong love of reading and learning
  • Help scholars locate archival and other resources crucial to their work
  • Identify sources of assistance in family and personal crises
  • Help doctors more quickly locate health information in critical situations

Learn more about careers in library and information science.

Why the iSchool?

Our MLIS graduate degree program stands out for many reasons. Here are some highlights:

  • The caliber of our internationally renowned faculty
  • Low faculty-student ratio
  • Innovative curriculum that focuses on the key aspects of the information lifecycle
  • Emphasis on the social aspects of student learning
  • Choice of on campus or online learning
  • MLIS program that has been continuously accredited by the American Library Association since 1926
  • An advisory committee composed of several state librarians as well as library directors and executives from industry and public, academic, school, and special libraries
  • Core areas of strength in:
    • Digital youth
    • Knowledge organization
    • Information services
    • Data science
    • Information architecture and user experience (IA/UX)

Resources:

  • Advising & Support
  • Capstone Projects
  • Upcoming Info Sessions
  • Videos: Alumni at Work
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News

A woman and a man look at a screen together.

Students dive into software design at Winfo Hackathon

Friday, January 30, 2026
The HUB ballroom filled with the clicks of keyboards and conversation as University of Washington students collaborated during the 14th annual Winfo Hackathon. Over the course of 12 hours, students swam together in the currents...
Read more
Ryan Calo, Martin Kaste and Brie McLemore, seated on stools.

Society + Tech initiative leads lively talk on privacy, surveillance

Monday, January 26, 2026
Would you want police to use facial recognition technology to identify you while you walk down the street? While it’s prohibited in King County, some cities have allowed police to access large surveillance networks that constantly scan...
Read more

Events

Feb 11
 
12:30-1:20PM

Referrals 101: How People Actually Get Jobs

Mary Gates Hall 015H
Feb 11
 
4:00-5:00PM

Informatics Program Overview for Current UW Seattle Students

Zoom / Online
Feb 13
 
4:00-5:00PM

MLIS Law Librarianship Information Session

Zoom / Online
Feb 17
 
12:30-1:20PM

Branch Out: Foster Business Library (ALISS)

Foster Business Library
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Box 352840 - Mary Gates Hall, Ste. 370
Seattle, WA 98195-2840
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