IKNS - 1887 to Today

A Legacy of Knowledge: The IKNS Degree from 1887 to Today

Columbia's Master of Science in Information & Knowledge Strategy (IKNS) has its intellectual roots in Columbia University's Library School, which was founded in 1887 as the School of Library Economics and which later became Columbia's School of Library Service. Following a brief hiatus in the late 20th century, in 2006 core elements of the curriculum were relaunched as a Master of Science degree dedicated to the broad field of information science and specifically the strategic management, dissemination and collaborative use of data & knowledge in organizations. Continuing its pioneering role, in 2011 IKNS became one of the first Columbia degrees offered in hybrid format. The format enabled students in executive leadership positions around the world to continue their jobs while still benefiting from year-round classroom dialogue with their faculty and fellow students.

1887

Columbia University's South Hall building in 1887 – we know this as Butler Library today

Columbia University's Library School, founded in 1887 as the School of Library Economics, later became Columbia's School of Library Science. In 1935, South Hall became the physical home of the School of Library Service and the setting for more than a century of knowledge management practice.

1934

The Chute

In 1934 students and professional movers collaborated to move hundreds of thousands of books from Columbia's Low Library into the newly finished South Hall.

Images courtesy of the University Archives, Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Columbia University Libraries.

2006-2011

The M.S. Information & Knowledge Strategy (IKNS) takes shape

In 2006, Columbia established a Master of Science degree dedicated to information science and the use of data & knowledge in organizations. In 2011, IKNS became Columbia's first hybrid degree program, widening program access to working professionals across the globe.

2026 and beyond

IKNS Now and Into the Future

Today, there are over 400 graduates of the M.S. Information & Knowledge Strategy. The program has continued to evolve to include courses in AI Governance, Business Anthropology & Human-Centered Design – preparing our graduates for the ever-changing future of work.

Learn more about our curriculum!