Sans titre

On January 16, 1963, the Library Science and Audio-Visual department in the School of Education was established by the St. Cloud State University Faculty Senate. The new department began offering courses in the fall of the 1963/64 academic year.

In a 1971 report, St. Cloud State President George Budd, the academic dean, and the division chairmen decided in the 1957/58 academic year that “[a]ll materials (print & nonprint – Audio &Video) and the companion equipment be selected, acquired, processed, serviced, and inventoried by the Bureau of Learning Resources Services [in 1958 called Instructional Services]. It was intended that all materials and equipment…used in direct support of the curriculum of the college [St. Cloud State] be included in this service.” Budd also stated, “Out of this concern for total materials grew the Department of Library and Audiovisual Education as a department of the School of Education.” (1) In a 1970 press release, the Library Science and Audiovisual Education department was described as “the instructional arm of the area [Learning Resources]” in the School of Education.” (2)

Luther Brown, who was appointed as Associate Professor of Education in Audio-Visual education at St. Cloud State University in 1957 (3), became the new department’s acting chairman (4). In addition to his duties as acting chairman, Brown was the Director of Instructional Resources since July 1, 1958 (5). At that time, Instructional Resources consisted of the library, the campus laboratory school library, and an audio-visual service. In 1970, Brown became the dean of Learning Resources, serving until 1977. (6)

The dean of Learning Resources and Technology Services has served as chair of the department including John Berling (1977-1997) and Kristi Tornquist (1997–2011). In July 2011, CIM moved administratively to the new School of Education.

In 1983, what had been known as the Center for Library and Audiovisual Education (CLAVE) changed its name to Center for Information Media (CIM). (7)