Library and Information Science (LIS): Part 1

This article considers library and information science (LIS) as a field of study (a discipline or an inter-discipline). It is written from the viewpoint that it is important to focus not only on the specific problems of a domain but also on its identity and organization. Researchers in fields such as LIS and knowledge organization (KO) must consider whether they fall under the aegis of computer science or of humanities and social sciences; a neglect of this issue may lead to a fragmented field which does not contribute to either aspect. A discipline (or inter-discipline) is an organization that supports cooperation in achieving common goals and sharing disciplinary journals, conferences and institutions among other things.