ALA Accreditation Officer & Founding Past Director
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About Us
Faculty and Staff
Director of the School of Library Science
Outreach and Programming Coordinator
Assistant Professor
Adjunct Pool
Director, Schoenbaum Library, University of Charleston
University Librarian and Director of Collection Strategies at Eastern Kentucky University
Associate Professor, Institutional Repository and Special Projects Librarian at PennWest California
Evidence Synthesis Librarian, West Virginia University
Vision, Mission, Values & Goals
Vision
The Marshall University School of Library Science educates ethical and innovative professional librarians through an accredited, high-quality, affordable, and accessible graduate degree program.
Mission
The Marshall University School of Library Science offers a high-quality, affordable, and accessible graduate degree program designed to prepare students to work as professional librarians who contribute to the quality of life of communities in West Virginia and beyond through service and research.
Values
- Excellent customer service
- Lifelong learning
- Mutual respect and civility
- Access and responsible stewardship
- Intellectual and academic freedom
Goals
- To establish an accredited MSLS program that is continuously improved through the acquisition and evaluation of assessment data.
- To offer a curriculum with clearly defined student learning outcomes that produces professionals educated to support the ongoing needs of the library community.
- To recruit and retain faculty who provide high-quality education, and engage in research and service to the university and the greater community.
- To recruit, retain, and support a student body that reflects the diversity of the state of West Virginia and the global community.
- To exercise administrative and fiscal responsibility as an integral department in the academic division of Marshall University.
Advising Bodies
Executive Planning Committee
Charge: The Executive Planning Council provides strategic oversight for the MSLS program by synthesizing and acting on input from the Leadership Council and Stewardship Council. The Council ensures that external feedback is integrated into accreditation planning, curriculum development, and program strategy.
- Dr. Monica Garcia Brooks, Dean of University Libraries, Marshall University
- Dr. Anne Marie Casey, Accreditation Facilitator, Marshall University
- Dr. Nate Floyd, Associate Professor and Director, School of Library Science, Marshall University
- Dr. Kimberly J. McFall, School Library Program Director, Marshall University
- Eryn Roles, Associate Dean of University Libraries, Marshall University
- Stephen B. Tipler, Professor / Web and Digital Services Librarian, Marshall University
- Dr. Katy Zane, Assistant Professor, School of Library Science, Marshall University
Leadership Council
Charge: Membership is by invitation and is open to currently employed library leaders, particularly those from public libraries in West Virginia. However, it also extends to individuals who possess knowledge, expertise, and experience that are vital for the growth of the program. The main role of the Council is to provide practical feedback based on the experiences and practices of its members’ libraries and professional environments. This input is crucial to ensure that the Master of Science in Library Science (MSLS) program not only meets ALA accreditation standards but also adapts to the evolving needs and realities of today’s library professionals.
- Breana Bowen, Director, Cabell County Public Library System
- Dr. Monica Garcia Brooks, Dean of Libraries, Marshall University
- Dr. Anne Marie Casey, Accreditation Facilitator, Marshall University
- Dr. Jon Cawthorne, Librarian, Wayne State University; Former Dean of Libraries, Wayne State University and West Virginia University
- Sarah Cranstoun, Director, Morgantown Public Library System
- Dr. Nate Floyd, Associate Professor and Director, School of Library Science, Marshall University
- Dr. Jasmyne Lewis, Dean of Libraries, Morehead State University
- David Owens, Assistant Director for Adult Services, Cabell County Public Library System; 2025–2026 President, West Virginia Library Association
- Sara Price, Director of Library Services, West Virginia State Library
- Megan Tarbett, Director, Putnam County Public Library
- Dr. Tyler Walters, Dean of Libraries, Virginia Tech
- Tobey Wilson, Student, School of Library Science, Marshall University
- Dr. Katy Zane, Assistant Professor, School of Library Science, Marshall University
Stewardship Council
Charge: The Stewardship Council comprises retired librarians, former library staff, and members of the Marshall University community. The primary role of the Council is to provide feedback based on the members’ experiences in library leadership and the education sector. Their insights aim to attract and inspire future students, while also fostering meaningful mentorship opportunities.
- Leah Josephine Fidler, Retired Director of Libraries, Marshall University; Inductee, Greater Huntington Wall of Fame (2024)
- Joan McPherson, Retired Interlibrary Loan and Technical Services Librarian, Orange County Library System (Orlando, FL); Former School Library Media Specialist, Cabell County Schools (Huntington, WV)
- Judy K. Rule, Retired Director, Cabell County Public Library
- Patricia Bodo Sazy, Retired Medical Librarian; Consultant; Former Library Media Specialist and Technology Coordinator in Public Education
- Sean Smith, Assistant Principal, Mesa Public Schools; Retiring June 30, 2026
- Cora P. Teel, Retired Archivist, Marshall University; University of South Carolina (1995)
Accrediting Process
The School of Library Science is currently pursuing accreditation from the American Library Association (ALA), an important milestone in the program’s ongoing development and commitment to excellence in library and information science education.
In the fall of 2026, the School will apply for Precandidacy status with the ALA Committee on Accreditation (COA), the first formal step in the accreditation process. Under ALA policy, programs seeking initial accreditation move through three stages: Precandidacy, Candidacy, and Initial Accreditation.
This is a multi-year, peer-reviewed process in which the program is evaluated at each stage for alignment with ALA standards, with opportunities for ongoing feedback, development, and formal review. For programs beginning at precandidacy, the full process from precandidacy to initial accreditation takes approximately 4 to 7 years, depending on the timing of scheduled reviews and site visits.
Precandidacy status reflects an institution’s commitment to meeting ALA accreditation standards and provides a structured framework for program development and ongoing communication with the COA. While it is an important early step, Precandidacy does not guarantee advancement to Candidacy status or the granting of Initial Accreditation.
Because accreditation involves external review and multiple stages of evaluation, the School of Library Science cannot guarantee a specific outcome or timeline. However, pursuing ALA accreditation is a priority for the program, and the School is committed to keeping prospective students, current students, and other stakeholders informed by sharing updates as they become available.
