It is the science of organizing information in a way that enhances its worth and makes it more accessible.
Today’s data-rich environment makes information organization a lucrative enterprise. Libraries of today provide a wide range of services, from outreach to research assistance to the development of data exploration tools.
As the library grows in size, so does the likelihood that it contains more than simply books.
Some of the world’s largest libraries are in fact museums, research institutes, and the most current repositories of information in a wide range of fields of expertise.
Whether you’re doing a physics experiment or conducting legal research, technical libraries can help. Then there are libraries named in their name.
This is only a sampling of job opportunities available to persons with a library science degree. The phrase library science is used more loosely to describe the field of information science, which can lead to employment opportunities in a wide range of fields.
Many degree kinds have been addressed. We are especially proud of our ability to present professional and academic knowledge together.
It’s a waste of time and money if you can’t put your degree to use. Are you curious about your career options if you have a degree in library science? In this manual, we’ll go over the subjects listed below.
Which Degrees Are Available in Library Science?
A master’s or doctorate degree in library science is the most common level of training.
At the undergraduate level, many students want to become librarians, and then focus on information management at the graduate level, where they learn more about the specifics of their chosen field.
Alternatively, many librarians begin their careers as teachers and subsequently transfer into a librarian job with a master’s or doctorate degree in the field.
There are just a few bachelor’s degrees available in library science, even with all of this. A wide range of disciplines is demanded of librarians in order to participate in these programs.
A bachelor’s degree in library science may include one or more of the following concentrations as a major focus:
- Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts with a Library Science Focus
- Bachelor of Science in Information Studies and Library Science
- Bachelor of Arts in Media Studies and Library Science
- Bachelor of Education in Education and Library Science
There are a few degrees above that go beyond a bachelor’s degree, however, they are all considered professional degrees.
Although, like other bachelor’s degrees, a bachelor’s in education can be finished in four years.
Students pursuing a bachelor’s degree in library science will begin their education by studying a variety of college-level subjects.
To help you become a well-rounded bachelor’s degree candidate, these classes are required as part of your general education requirements.
The following is typical of general education courses:
- English Composition
- Mathematics
- Religion or Philosophy
- Ethics
- English Literature
- Physical education
- A foreign language
- A Social Science like Economics or Psychology
- A Natural Science like chemistry, biology, or geology
Major classes will begin once you’ve completed some of your general education courses.
- Intro to library careers and libraries
- Information and Library Science Foundations
- Information Literacy
- Reference services and materials intro
- Technical Processes of Libraries and Cataloging
- Library Information Technology
- Development of Collections
- Advanced reference services and materials
- Design of Web Pages
- Management of Libraries
- Digital Preservation
- Cultural Institutions
- Entrepreneurial Options for Library and Media Professionals
- Library Services for Children
- Library Services for Teens
- Librarian as Teacher
- Among Others
A bachelor’s degree in library studies might get students their first job at a library. We’ve already indicated that a master’s degree in library science is the most common degree for a library director or specialist.
There are two main types of programs; those that focus on obtaining a license to work as a K-12 librarian, and those that focus on a larger area of information studies.
There are both research and career-oriented master’s degree programs that allow students to focus on one or the other.
A Master’s thesis or capstone project is often required for any choice. Master’s theses are comprehensive reviews of the most recent findings in a certain area of study, written in the form of a logical argument.
They are designed to test your ability to explore the most latest information on the topic and form your own opinion.
Following are some of the most popular areas of concentration for library and information science master’s degree students:
- Youth and School Librarianship
- Data and Asset Management
- Archives, Museums, and Special Collections
- Organization and Management of Information
- Competitive Intelligence and Information Management for Business
Library and information science master’s degrees are often completed in three or fewer years and are aimed at working professionals. At the doctorate level, library science practitioners often pursue a doctor of philosophy
Ph.D. degree in library and information science as their major credential. Students pursuing a Ph.D. in their subject have two key goals in mind to help them conduct original research and to train the future generation of researchers and educators in the field.
Dissertations are the primary means of completing a Ph.D. program’s original research. The main difference between a dissertation and a thesis is that a dissertation is mostly based on original research.
Over a thousand pages long, the average dissertation should be of high enough quality to be published in a respected academic journal.
Once you’ve finished a dissertation, you’ll be expected to present it to a panel of experts in your area.
Can I earn an online library science degree?
Librarianship is a discipline that falls under the umbrella of two fields: education and information studies.
You may discover several online library science degree programs as library science degrees tend to lean more towards one of these two possibilities.
While millions of others have found success with online learning. It’s important to keep in mind that online education may not be the greatest fit for all pupils.
It’s a good idea to think about how you prefer to learn before signing up for an online course. As well as what you hope to gain from your degree program.
We’ve compiled a list of some of the most frequent benefits and drawbacks of earning a degree online.
Advantages of Online Education
- Doesn’t necessitate you to leave your current employment or relocate.
- Online courses are frequently less expensive than traditional ones.
- It’s not uncommon for colleges and universities to cater to students of all ages and backgrounds.
- Flexibility is a key benefit of online learning over traditional classroom instruction.
- In the same way, as in-person training does.
Disadvantages of Online Education
- A lack of assistance or a college-like atmosphere may be present.
- Inability to make use of on-campus facilities and activities
- Learning about your peers and lecturers is more difficult.
- Only a small percentage of employers still place less value on online degrees.
Is there a right or wrong response to the question of whether or not to pursue a degree online?
To put it simply, there is none. The ability to earn a college degree from the comfort of one’s own home is a major benefit for many people.
The in-person study may be more beneficial for some people. It all comes down to your learning style and what you hope to gain from your academic endeavors.
How can I enroll in a library science degree program?
In many ways, getting into a library science bachelor’s degree program is like getting into any other bachelor’s degree program.
Students should expect to take a standardized college entrance test, such as the ACT or SAT, for most programs.
High school graduation or GED is required, as is a record of academic success in the applicant’s past scholastic endeavors. Essays and interviews are standard prerequisites for most programs.
Simply enroll in library science bachelor’s degree at the college where you’ve been admitted to begin your search for a major.
To get started on an undergraduate major, check out your university’s website to see who you’ll need a meeting.
As a master’s degree student in library science, you might become a school librarian or go deeper into the library and information science area. Studying for the GRE is mandatory as long as you’re in school.
For licensure-focused programs, make sure you have a working relationship with your program’s regional coordinator to ensure that you can get hands-on experience in schools.
Many online degree providers have partnerships with local schools and may provide these supervised hours.
In order to get a Ph.D., students must undertake original research of their own. The programs you’re interested in should have research interests that align with your own prior to applying for admission. Ask your professors whether they’d be willing to take on an additional student.
Only a small number of PhD-level professors are willing to supervise a student’s research project in person during the academic year.
Additional requirements for admission include a demonstrated interest in the field and previous work experience.
What Can I Do With a Librarianship Degree?
Throughout this tutorial, we’ve stressed how important information science is to our everyday lives. From finance to engineering to health care to public administration, information science specialists are in high demand.
That being said, a small number of occupations can be obtained more quickly with a degree in library science.
Below we’ll go through some of those responsibilities. Many library science degrees lead to a career as a school librarian, which is the first and most closely connected profession one may get out of the field.
To land a career as a librarian, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree in education or a master’s degree in library science that focuses on education.
Public school librarians play a crucial support role and have some of the best working conditions and job satisfaction of any group of public school employees.
Tasks associated with this position include aiding primary classroom teachers through media efforts, the invention and administration of literacy-enhancing projects, and the management of the library.
While the average wage for a librarian varies greatly from state to state, it is now $56,512 at the federal level.
A law library is one of the most popular types of specialist libraries located in the world’s most populous cities.
In addition to huge private legal firms and institutions, law librarians may be found working for state and federal agencies as well as local and state governments.
Many people are familiar with the many boxes of records that lawyers need to prepare for a difficult case, which includes previous judgments and the breadth of the law applicable to the situation.
Librarians who specialize in court proceedings and local and national legislatures are in high demand.
A career as a legal librarian may be a good fit for you if you want to work with information in an area where there is always a demand and where you can avoid the pressures of school.
Currently, the average compensation for a legal librarian is $65,300, albeit this figure is subject to change.
In which locations can you discover some of the world’s greatest collections of physical media and data?
There’s no better place to go than a museum! In order to become a museum curator or museum operations specialist, library science and information science degrees are a popular path to take.
Educators that specialize in non-profit management, information science, and pedagogy are in short supply, thus these experts are in high demand.
Every employment in a museum has its own responsibilities, remuneration, and potential for advancement. There is now a national average income for curators of $66,161.
Finally, information scientists can find employment in a wide range of settings in the business sector.
Data analysts, corporate training, and information management system managers are among the most frequent.
Specialized managers of domain-specific knowledge are required when major corporations gather enormous databases of domain-specific information.
In this situation, information scientists can help. Information management or library science degrees with a focus on information science are good choices for students hoping to get into the business sector. There is a wide range of pay for the jobs mentioned above.
However, average incomes for those positions include the following:
- Data analyst: $67,377
- Corporate coach: $65,800
- Information management system manager: $86,758
