|
|
|
Library and Information Science
|
|
Degree Levels |
|
Categories of Study
|
|
Features and Resources
|
|
Library and Information Science Master's Degree |
Drexel University Online 
 
Library and Information Science - Master of Science Degree
Library and Information Science ranked as one of the
"Best Careers of 2010" by U.S. News & World Report
 Reasons to choose Drexel University:
- Drexel University is among the top 50 private, non-profit, national doctoral/research universities in the US.
- For the eighth consecutive year, Drexel has been ranked in the category of Best National Universities in “America's Best Colleges” by U.S.News & World Report.
- In 2009, Drexel's Library and Information Science program is ranked ninth overall by U.S.News & World Report ,while its specialties in Information Systems and Digital Librarianship ranked at 5 and 6, respectively. Drexel online programs are ranked by U.S.News & World Report among the Best Online Graduate Programs in Engineering, Education, Library Science and Business.
- The Information Science programs are accredited by The American Library Association (ALA).
Library and Information Science
Master of Science (MLIS)
A Highly-Ranked Graduate Program for Information Science and Library Professionals Managing Digital Information
Drexel University's Master’s degree in Library & Information Science is widely acknowledged as a leading program in the growing field of digital information management. U.S. News & World Report ranked Drexel University as one of “America’s Best Graduate Schools 2010,” the program operates within Drexel’s iSchool, College of Information Science and Technology, and the MSLIS is ranked 9th in the nation (that’s according to US News & World Report, 2008, 2009). The iSchool boasts a number of highly ranked programs, including Health Librarianship (#5), Digital Librarianship (#6), and Information Systems (#3). Drexel’s online graduate Library Science program is one of the 10 largest in the country.
Library & Information Science - Master of Science
Master's Degree Program Overview
The MS in Library & Information Science program prepares tomorrow's information professionals for roles such as web developers, knowledge management and Internet content specialists, competitive intelligence experts, or digital librarians. This degree program is an innovative curriculum with a strong technological background and a focus on teaching career skills in all the aspects of information management.
The Library and Information Science MS Degree program offers Specializations:
Library & Information Science Online Degree Features & Benefits Include:
- An innovative curriculum with a strong technological background and a focus on teaching career skills in all the aspects of information management.
- A quality program, taught by the distinguished faculty of Drexel University's iSchool (College of Information Science and Technology).
- Fully accredited by the American Library Association (ALA).
- Highly interactive, e-Learning method designed to challenge and engage students while remaining convenient for the working professional.
Graduates of the Master of Science in Library and Information Science are prepared to assume leadership positions in designing, executing, and evaluating information services and products, and managing organizations that facilitate access to recorded knowledge. Their preparation encompasses the knowledge and abilities required to:
- Describe in standard terms the major attributes of information resources
- Demonstrate knowledge of the structure and bibliographic control of literatures
- Augment access to information resources through processes such as thesaurus creation, classification, indexing, abstracting, systematic listing, and reviewing
- Select information resources appropriate for given audiences and develop appropriate information-seeking strategies
- Retrieve textual, numeric, bibliographic, image and other information from all appropriate information sources
- Analyze or synthesize data and information for the client, in the form of digests, reviews of literature, or technical reports
- Teach people to use information resources effectively
- Manage information organizations and the production of information services and products through planning, controlling, staffing, organizing and leading
Core courses in the Library & Information Systems MS Degree program include:
- Research in Information Organizations
- Social Context of Information Professions
- Information Users and Services
- Information Access & Resources
- Foundations of Information Systems
- Managing Information Organizations
Library & Information Science /
Competitive Intelligence and Knowledge Management - MS
The MLIS Competitive Intelligence and Knowledge Management concentration focuses on information needs and knowledge management in special library, corporate, and other organizational settings.
Courses in the MLIS Competitive Intelligence and Knowledge Management concentration program include:
- Information Services in Organizations
- Knowledge Assets Management in Organizations
- Competitive Intelligence
Library & Information Science /
Digital Libraries - MS
The MLIS Digital Libraries concentration covers a range of topics in digital resources, collections and services. It can serve as a bridging concentration accessible to MSIS students and several courses are a part of the MSLIS curriculum.
Courses in the MLIS Digital Libraries concentration program include:
- Introduction to Web Design for Information Organizations
- Digital Libraries
- Digital Library Technology
Library & Information Science /
Library & Information Services - MS
The MLIS Library & Information Services concentration is a generalist concentration that includes key professional skills and an orientation to both a work setting and a relevant elective.
Courses in the MLIS Library & Information Services concentration program include:
- Introduction to Web Design for Information Organizations
- Cataloging and Classification I
- Collection Management
Library & Information Science /
School Library Media - MS
The MLIS School Library Media concentration is for students who wish to work in K-12 school library programs in both public and private schools. Designed to prepare graduates to be eligible for certification as school librarians by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE certification), the program meets the requirements of the State of Pennsylvania and provides a strong basis for seeking certification in other states as well. In most instances, students will be required to complete a supervised field study to be eligible for certification.
Courses in the MLIS School Library Media concentration program include:
- Cataloging and Classification I
- Library Automation
- Collection Management
- Resources for Children
- Resources for Young Adults
- Instructional Role Information Specialist
- Professional Studies Instruction
- Evaluation of Instruction
- Current Research Curriculum & Instruction
- Multi-media Instructional Design
- Language Arts Processes
- Twelve Week SL/M Field Study
Library & Information Science /
Youth Services - MS
The MLIS Youth Services concentration meets the interests of students planning public library careers with a focus on youth populations.
Courses in the MLIS Youth Services concentration program include:
- Public Library Service
- Resources for Children
- Resources for Young Adults
|
Ashford University
Library Science and Media
Bachelor of Science
As demands upon library personnel change to embrace new media and modern methods of document control, the educational requirements for professional librarians have evolved. Ashford University's degree in Library Science and Media is a dynamic academic solution that reaches beyond the traditional librarian's realm of activity to the new landscape of library oversight, information management and research support.
Ashford University's Bachelor of Arts in Library Science and Media degree, which will be available online in late June 2012, offers a robust course load designed to explore the modern librarian's work environment, its relationship with the internet and established library rules, and does so with an advanced web-based student experience.
Coursework for the Library Science and Media degree ranges from the technology of modern information management to the basics of children's and secondary school media, plus a grounding in age- and topic-specific literature, ethical considerations, plus mathematical and computer competencies. Students of this degree may seek jobs in data and information coordination and brokerage, telecom and web systems management, as well as traditional teaching, research, clerical and librarians' positions throughout public and private industry.
Ashford University's Bachelor of Arts in Library Science and Media does not provide licensure or certification of any kind, and it is the student's responsibility to determine individual states' requirements for practice.
Library and Media
Master of Science
The Master of Arts in Education at Ashford University is designed to present a foundational perspective and increased specialization for educational leaders. Your core courses define the foundation of knowledge and skills for you to provide instruction to diverse populations. You will study in depth those areas that most influence educational institutions, including instructional methods, curriculum design, assessment strategies, advanced pedagogical theory, and principles of leadership. Your specialization options are composed of courses that you can select for yourself, based on your personal interests and expertise. With the Library & Media specialization for your Master of Arts in Education degree, you will understand the role of school librarians and media specialists.
The Library & Media specialization trains you to use information technology and other library resources. You will learn about information literacy, young adult literature, and instructional leadership. |
Library and Information Science
Why Choose a Master's Degree in Library and Information Science?
The Library and Information Sciences degree is a Masters-level degree required of library and information science professionals who wish to advance their careers. It is one of the most versatile degrees, preparing you for a number of careers in the information industry, as well as traditional librarianship.
Library and Information Science Career Opportunities
Librarians held about 160,000 jobs in 2008. Most librarians worked in school and academic libraries, while others worked in special libraries, business libraries, or in libraries of other organizations. The following is a list of the more common higher-level library positions, including general compensation and educational requirements.
More and more, librarians apply their information management and research skills to arenas outside of libraries—for example, database development, reference tool development, information systems, publishing, Internet coordination, marketing, Web content management and design, and training of database users. Entrepreneurial librarians sometimes start their own consulting practices, acting as freelance librarians or information brokers and providing services to other libraries, businesses, or government agencies.
Library and Information Science Career Paths
There are several types of librarian functions that you can focus on. The general types are K12 [School] Librarians, Public Librarians, University Librarians, Archivists and Research Librarians. In addition to these there are specialty libraries, which include, but are not limited to corporations, hospitals, the military, museums, private businesses and the government. Special libraries can serve particular populations, such as the blind and physically handicapped, while others are dedicated to special collections, such as the Library of Congress or a presidential library.
Librarian Job Outlook
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the projected growth in the Librarian occupation is 8% for the decade of 2008 to 2018, which is as fast as the average for all occupations. On average, librarians tend to be older workers, resulting in a large number likely to retire in the coming decade. As a result, there could be more retiring in contrast to other job classifications. However, relatively large numbers of graduates from MLS programs may cause competition for some positions, making the acquisition of an advanced MLS/MLIS degree much more beneficial. With that aside, some modern librarian jobs will be trending toward more non-traditional tasks; such as becoming information brokers for private corporations, nonprofit organizations, and consulting firms. Outside firms will be looking to librarians for their skills in research, organization, knowledge of databases and library automation systems. Their abilities to review, analyze, evaluate, and organize organizational-specific information can result in reclassification within the organization as systems analysts, database specialists and trainers, to name a few.
Library and Information Science Salary
In 2010, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimated the mean annual wage of Librarians to be $56,360. However, specialization and educational level can make that salary vary greatly. For example, a director of a small, rural library can literally be the only employee with a salary of $20,000 to the director of a large, urban or academic library with hundreds of employees and a salary of $175,000. Things to consider when looking into a career as a librarian include geographic location, educational achievement and relevant certifications. Though these factors can affect compensation, annual salaries are driven more by a combination of the level of education, experience and certifications held.
According to a 2010 ALA Salary Survey, Librarian pay increased 3% despite the country's economic struggles. Despite the conditions faced by some individual librarians and libraries in 2010, the aggregate of 11,554 salaries reported by directors and human resources (HR) staff from public and academic libraries calculated to a mean librarian salary of $60,734, and a median $55,883. The 2009 mean was $58,860, $1,874 less than in 2010, and the 2009 median was $54,500, $1,383 less than in 2010.
Library and Information Science Certification
There is a vast array of certifications and requirements for librarians. The primary requirements are dependent upon state law or statute, the library type, library size and number of people served. This also means you may or may not need a library science degree. However to become a public librarian or public school librarian—also called a school media specialist—the state may require certification and educational minimums by law. The type of educational requirements and certifications can vary state by state. Other libraries and institutions may require certain credentials, professional certificates or membership in specific professional organizations. These may be necessary for certain positions, but do not necessarily replace governmental requirements.
|
|
|
Library and Information Science
|
|
Library Science and Media
|
Library and Information Science
Career Opportunities
- Public librarian
- Reference librarian
- Knowledge manager
- Youth outreach librarian
- Metadata librarian
- Digital librarian
- School media specialist
- Archivist
- Electronic resources librarian
- Academic librarian
- Medical informatics specialist
- Children's librarian
- Preservation administrator
Library Managers
This group is considered typically middle managers and includes department heads, branch managers and assistant/deputy/associate directors. They are generally responsible for operation of departments or other functional areas, such as remote locations (branches). Responsibilities include work schedules, employee evaluations, training, and managing budgets. Additional responsibilities can include overseeing the condition of the facility or involvement in local neighborhood groups and projects. Due to the wide range of library management functions, based upon library type and management specialty, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics listing for Management Occupations shows a mean annual wage of $105,440 in 2008. Selecting any management position from the list will give you a better understanding of the specific type you are looking into. Another factor driving the salary is the size and type of the library. Educational requirements are essentially the same as for Librarians, but they typically must also have:
- Four to ten years of experience as a librarian and
- A couple of years of supervisory experience and
- A demonstrated interest in professional development through attending workshops and conferences.
Library Directors
The Library Director has the main leadership role in the library. Typical responsibilities include budget oversight and preparation, developing and maintaining hiring and service policies, maintaining stakeholder relations, strategic planning, legal compliance, reporting to the appropriate library authorities and fund-raising. Duties vary based on the size of the library. This will also affect compensation as, for example, a director of a small, rural library can literally be the only employee with a salary of $20,000 to the director of a large, urban or academic library with hundreds of employees and a salary of $175,000. Educational requirements are essentially the same as for Librarians and Library Managers. Experience generally entails:
- 10 years of experience as a librarian and
- five years of management/administrative experience and
- a demonstrated interest in professional development through attending workshops and conferences.
|
|
Library and Information Science
Career Paths
|
School (K - 12) Library
School libraries are usually part of a school system and serve students between Kindergarten and grade 12. Many are called media centers and librarians are often required to have a second degree in education or a certificate in school media. A master’s degree with a specialty in school librarianship from an educational institution accredited by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) and recognized by the American Association of School Librarians (AASL) is also appropriate.
Public Library
Public libraries serve communities of all sizes and types. They often have departments that focus on areas of service, such as youth, teens and adults. Depending on the state in which you will be working, there may be certification requirements for the type of position you are seeking. Michigan, for example, requires that public library directors have a Master of Library Science Degree if the library serves a population of 25,000 or more. Contact your state's library to find out what, if any, certification requirements there may be.
University Library
Academic libraries serve community colleges, four year colleges, universities, research institutions, their students, staff and faculty. Some of the larger institutions may have several libraries dedicated to serving particular schools such as law and science. Many academic librarians who become specialists in an area of knowledge can achieve faculty status. Other qualifications for becoming a librarian vary depending on the position, and may require expertise in certain technologies, languages, or subject areas. Some specialist librarians require additional degrees. For example, law librarians usually have a JD in addition to the MLS. Depending on state law, school librarians may need an education degree or a teaching certificate.
Archiving
Archives are repositories which hold articles, primarily documents, produced in the course of normal business or activity. Archivists may need specialized certification, which will vary based upon the archive type of interest. With the public's increased interest in things of a historical nature, archives has become a popular field for new MLS students. According to the Society of American Archivists, “Archives are the non-current records of individuals, groups, institutions, and governments that contain information of enduring value.” For entry into the archivist profession, you will need both an undergraduate and a graduate degree in addition to archival coursework. Most graduate degrees are in history, library science or both. To achieve a high-ranking, academic position, the candidate would be advised to earn a Ph.D. It's always best to earn a degree in the area of interest.
Research Library
Research librarians perform as highly skilled data analysts and business experts. Serving as both consultant and detective—often possessing a MLS or MLIS degree—research librarians are proactive, innovative, and inquisitive by nature. Depending upon the specialization of the research library, some of the research librarians will hold PhD's in the specific subjects. Because of their specialization and expertise, research librarians are deeply involved in the identification, selection, acquisition, organization, dissemination, use, and preservation of information. Due to the technological advances in library science, research librarians will need to be technologically savvy in order to use--and sometimes create--the systems needed to fully research topics of interest to the customer. Some organizations have websites devoted to the development of competencies and standards for research libraries and research librarians. These include, but are not limited to, the Association of College and Research Libraries, the Association of Southeastern Research Libraries and the Association of Research Libraries.
Management
Every information organization requires managers skilled in up-to-date applications of information technologies. You will pay particular attention to the theory and practice of administration; issues relating to human resource management; legal, political, professional, social, and community contexts of information organizations; the applications and evaluation of technology; and the components of responsible financial management.
Technical and Automated Services
You will provide essential support for information users in the forms of catalogs and indexes; electronic data retrieval systems; and automated acquisitions and ordering processes. You will learn to capture information in multiple formats, and to mine the Internet and its worldwide extensions for the right information for the right purpose. These skills touch on the technical and the conceptual, with significant implications for information users in libraries, homes, and workplaces.
Information Brokers, Entrepreneurs, Library Planning and Technology Consultants, Researchers, and Evaluators
In addition to libraries and other information centers, your skills will be called upon at corporations, in government, and at specialized nonprofit entities. Every organization requires information retrieval and analysis, database development, the analysis of archival collections, and advice on information and documentation formats. You can also find specialized training in information skills for business information, marketing, finance, and administration. |
|
|
