Library & Information Science is a merging of the two field’s library science and Information science. This field particularly deals with storage and data management in libraries. For centuries it is an accepted fact that libraries are the reservoir of information and agencies of the communicating information. Libraries classify and catalogue books, journals and papers, arrange the books, paper and journals in the proper places where readers may easily approach. New arrivals are displayed for the attention of visitors to the library.
Key to Success
To be successful in Library & Information Science you should have/ develop:
- Helping Nature
- Patience With Readers
- Logical Mind
- Methodical Approach
- Good memory
- Love for books and reading
Scope and Opportunities
Documentation officer, knowledge manager, information scientist are the various government posts that require M. LISc. Nehru-Full bright scholarship and SAARC countries scholarship can see you in good foreign countries. MNCs like Wipro and Infosys also recruit these people. –Taken from Wikipedia
With the rise of IT and computers the ancient method of including the same on books and other written materials has become rare but also new tools of information like CD-ROM, internet, virtual libraries etc. There is a good scope for a career in library science.
As a Librarian, various job profiles are available in the following areas:
- Public/Government libraries
- Universities/colleges/schools and other academic institutions
- News agencies and organizations
- Private organizations and special libraries
- Photo/film/radio/television libraries
- Information centers/documentation centers
- Companies and organizations with large information handling requirements
- Museums and galleries, which have reading rooms and research facilities
- Law library/Special library, etc.
Lifestyle & Social Status
- Inevitably this profile would turn you an avid reader
- Librarians work in a serene work environment and for most of the time remains indoor
- Today, most of the libraries have computers dependencies
- They make budget and keep records. It is more of an administrative work
Job Profile
On a typical day a librarian might perform some of the following duties:-
- Help users find the appropriate information
- Guide the users in retrieving the desired information
- Raise a purchase order of the new and in demand materials
- Supervise assistants who prepare cards, computer records, or other access tools that direct users to resources
- Arrange the books in a proper systematic manner and user-friendly way
- Arrange puppet shows, buddy reading, etc.
Skill sets
- Research methodology
- Advanced Communication organizational skills
- Strong Analytical Skills
- Collection management
- Documentation
- Library planning
- Advisory and supervisory skills
Work Value
- Take Initiative
- Smart work
- job security
- Independence
Current Job Scenario
As India is moving towards a knowledge society with proliferation of learning and research institutes the demand and importance of library science is growing for those who are techno savy in digital methodology.
After completion of Library & Information Science course one can choose a career as librarian, Libraries are of many types:
Public library, Children’s libraries, reference libraries, educational libraries in schools, college, universities, research institutions and museums, and specialized libraries in different organization such as bank, government offices, companies, law firms, news papers, publishing houses etc.
With the growth in electronic and digital libraries, job title in the field could be that of Information Manager, Internet Librarian, Knowledge Assistant or a Learning Advisor.
Top Recruiters
All educational institutes need at least one librarian and big institutes or universities required librarians in bulk. Recruitment happens on annual basis as per the number of vacancies.
- Universities library
- College library
- Schools
- Academic institutions
- Public library
- Books museum
- Ministry of information
- Record keeping agencies
- Media sector
- Private library
Course Synopsis
| Course Options | Ø Bachelor in Library and information science (BLISC or B.LIB) | Ø Master of Library Science
Ø Master of Philosophy in Library & information Science
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| Academic Eligibility | Eligibility Graduate in any discipline from recognized University | BLI. Sc or B.LIB from recognized University | ||
| Fees | Rs. 7,500/- to Rs. 15,000/- | Rs. 15,000 to Rs. 20,000/- | ||
| Overall expenditure in Metro and Tier-1 | Rs. 2 lakhs to Rs. 2.5 lakhs | Rs. 2 lakhs to Rs. 2.5 lakhs | ||
| Overall expenditure in Tier-2 | Rs. 1.75 lakhs to Rs. 2 lakhs | Rs. 1.75 lakhs to Rs. 2 lakhs | ||
| Duration | The Duration of this course differs from University to University from 1 Year to 4 Years | The Duration of this course differs from University to University from 1 Year to 3 Years
Integrated MLISC will be of 5 Years |
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| Mode | Regular | Regular/Distance Learning | ||
| Approved | UGC | UGC | ||
| Affiliation | Respective Universities | Respective Universities | ||
| Entrance Exam | The experience of working in libraries would be desirable for such courses | The NISCAIR conducts a two year course, AIS which is the equivalent to Master’ degree in LIS
For AIS in NISCAIR = hours Entrance exam |
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Career prospect
- College coordinator
- College counselor
- College marketing manager
- Education administrator
- Librarian
- Principal
- Court house
- Public school
- Local libraries
- Research institutes
- Consulting firms
Entrance Exam
- NET/SET/ SLET
Success stories