Career avenues in library science

Library science today calls for candidates skilled in the art of managing information with the help of technology tools.

Indispensible: A librarian's job involves a wide range of reading and processing of information content through cataloguing, classification and indexing, storing documents, and retrieving the required information. Photo: G. RAMAKRISHNA

Libraries are repositories of knowledge and information and are indispensable in the information age. With the merging of information technology with library science, the nature of libraries and the scope of their services have radically changed. The job involves a wide range of reading and processing of the information content through cataloguing, classification and indexing, storing documents, and retrieving the required information and so on.

Those interested in this discipline can pursue their degree course in library and information science (B.LI.Sc. / B.LiS). At a higher level, one can opt for a Master's degree (M.LISc / M.LIS), M.Phil. or Ph.D. in this discipline. Most universities in India offer one year Bachelor's degree in library and information science or two-year integrated Master's degree in the same discipline. The Bachelor's degree course includes the study of library classification, library and science, library management, cataloguing, information sources, information systems and services and the basics of information technology.

After obtaining Bachelor's degree in library and information science, students can opt for one-year regular Master's degree course in the same discipline. Graduates in other disciplines with at least 50 per cent marks can pursue the two-year (four semesters) integrated Master's programme in library and information science. Both these courses provide equal opportunities for employment. Many universities in south India have introduced the two-year integrated Master of Library and Information Science course. Some universities also conduct the one-year Master's programme for B.LISc. degree holders with 50 per cent marks and above.

The Library and Information Science, Department of University of Kerala, conducts a two year regular integrated Master's programme. Any graduate with at least 50 per cent marks can apply for admission.

Applicants will also have to pass a two-hour long entrance test carrying 100 marks aimed at testing their general knowledge and aptitude for librarianship. Candidates should have to obtain at least 40 marks in order to qualify the test. The total number of seats is 20. The seats are equally allocated among the degree holders in science, arts, and commerce subjects. The course content of the integrated Master's course includes information knowledge and communication, library and society, library management, information sources, organisation of knowledge, information technology, information processing and retrieval, information systems, research methodology, bibliometrics, IT applications in libraries and information system management. A dissertation and viva-voce is also part of the course.

The department also offers one-year self-financing M.LISc. evening programme. Those who have passed B.LISc. with at least 50 per cent marks are eligible to apply. For the one year Master's programme, students can choose from the following options – science information systems, agriculture information systems, social science information systems, health information systems, industrial information system, academic library system and public library systems.

A one year M.Phil. course is also offered by the department. The minimum eligibility for admission is a Master's degree in library and information science with at least 55 per cent marks.

The selection is based on the marks scored in the Master's course and an interview. The department also offers research facilities leading to Ph.D. degree. The minimum eligibility is a Master's degree in library and information science with at least 55 per cent marks and a pass in the UGC-NET. Web site: www.dliskerala.org.

The School of Communication and Information Science under the Mahatma Gandhi (MG) University, Kottayam, offers B.LISc. and M.LISc. courses. The one year (two semester) M.LISc. course here is conducted on a self-financing basis.

The Department of Library Science under the SB College, Changanassery, affiliated to the MG University conducts B.LISc. (30 seats) and M.LISc. (30 seats) courses. Admission to M.LISc. course is open to graduates in library and information science with at least 50 per cent marks. (For details visit www.sbcollege.org).

The Department of Library and Information Science of the Calicut University offers an integrated two year MLISc course.

Graduates in any discipline are eligible for admission. M.Phil. and Ph.D. programmes are also conducted.

Eligibility for M.LISc. degree course is at least 50 per cent marks in the degree course.

Address: Department of Library and Information Science, University of Calicut, Calicut University Campus, Tenhipalam, Malappuram.

Majilis Arts and Science College, Valancherry, Malappuram, also conducts integrated M.LISc. / B.LISc. programmes.

Outside Kerala

The Department of Library and Information Science of several universities in the country offers higher education facilities including B.LISc., two-year integrated M.LISc., one-year M.LISc., M.Phil. and Ph.D. programmes in the discipline. The following are a few among them:

University of Madras, Chepauk, Chennai

Bangalore University, Bangalore - 560056

Annamalai University, Annamalai Nagar - 608002

Andhra University, Visakhapatnam - 530003

University of Mumbai, Mumbai - 400098

Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi - 221005

Jiwaji University, Gwalior

Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh- 202002

The Documentation, Research and Training Centre in Bangalore and the Indian National Scientific Documentation Centre, New Delhi, offer associateships in documentation and information science to experienced graduate librarians. The associateship is recognised as equivalent to M.LISc. degree.

Distance learning mode

Many universities offer graduate and postgraduate course in library and information science through distance education mode.

The Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) offers both these courses. Web site: www.ignou.ac.in.

The Institute of Distance Education of the University of Madras and the Directorate of Distance Educations of the Madurai Kamaraj University also offer graduate and postgraduate courses in library and information science. Web sites: www.unom.ac.in; www.mkudde.org.

Institute of Distance Education of the University of Kerala, Kariyavattom, Thiruvananthapuram, offers B.LISc. degree course through the distance education mode.

Directorate of Distance Education of Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupati, conducts B.LISc. course in the distance education mode. Web site: www.svudde.org.

Those who desire to get a government job should ensure that these distance learning courses are approved by the joint Committee of the Distance Education Council and UGC.

The list is only indicative. Details of more universities that offer higher education facilities in library and information science under the regular and distance education mode can be collected from the university handbooks published by the Association of Indian Universities which is available for reference in all University employment information and guidance bureaux functioning under universities.

Career prospects

Those who have passed B.LISc. and M.LISc. degrees are eligible to become second and third grade librarians or university library assistants.

Those who have obtained an M.LISc. or Ph.D. and have cleared the Junior Research Fellowship-National Eligibility Test (JRF-NET) can become lecturers in colleges and university departments.

To become a grade I librarian or assistant librarian in a college or university department, the requirement is M.LISc. and UGC- NET.

Job opportunities for postgraduate librarians are many in colleges, university departments, science and technology departments/ institutions, research organisations and so on. Scientific institutes appoint M.LISc. degree holders as scientific assistants/ officers
.