Norman in Cleveland County, Oklahoma — The American South (West South Central)

School of Library and Information Studies

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 19, 2025

1. School of Library and Information Studies Marker

Inscription. The School of Library Science was founded in 1929 within the College of Arts and Sciences. The founding Director was Jesse Lee Rader, a member of the University of Oklahoma class of 1908, who had been appointed University Librarian in 1909. In 1920 Rader established a summer program for the education of librarians as a precursor to the establishment of the School of Library Science, Rader continued as University Librarian and Director of the School of Library Science until his retirement in 1951.

The first degree program offered was the Bachelor of Arts in Library Science. A Master of Library Science and a Master of Arts in Library Science were first offered in 1954. Both master's degree programs were conferred accreditation by the American Library Association in 1956; the School continues to offer the only accredited library and information studies program in Oklahoma.

The name was changed to School of Library and Information Studies in 1990 to reflect the expanding role of the School in the information age. Programs offered include the Master of Library and Information Studies, the Master of Science

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in Knowledge Management, and the Bachelor of Arts in Information Studies.

The School celebrated its 75th Anniversary in September 2004.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Education. A significant historical year for this entry is 1929.

Location. 35° 12.462′ N, 97° 26.73′ W. Marker is in Norman, Oklahoma, in Cleveland County. It is on West Brooks Street 0.1 miles east of Elm Avenue, on the left when traveling east. Marker is in front of Bizzell Memorial Library on the University of Oklahoma campus. This section of Brooks Street is pedestrian-only. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 401 W Brooks St, Norman OK 73019, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Central Oklahoma — Frontier Country

and in Greater Oklahoma City.

It is also in the American South,

specifically on the prairies,

and on the Southern Plains.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 19, 2025

2. School of Library and Information Studies Marker

least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Bizzell Memorial Library (within shouting distance of this marker); Richards Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); Nielsen Hall (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Van Vleet Oval (about 300 feet away); Adams Hall (about 400 feet away); Evans Hall (about 400 feet away); Carnegie Building (about 400 feet away); Buchanan Hall (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Norman.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 4, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 4, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 89 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 4, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.