About Library Science

Library science is a path for someone who is organized, inquisitive, has a love of books and any other written material, and is willing to keep on learning as things change in the industry. A career in library science is one where you can start with a 2-year degree, continue your education and work your way up. A library science degree when pared with other degrees can give you more job opportunities. For instance, having a library science degree and one in education would make you eligible to be a school librarian.

Description

A person with a degree in library science will be able to find any information on any subject. They will know how to maintain a database of every book, DVD, magazine and any other publication in their charge. They can also choose to specialize in fields such as acquisitions, cataloguing, bibliography, reference, special collections or administration.

Associate Degree

Associate Degrees in library science are available from community colleges. An associate degree or bachelor's will lead to a job as a library technician. The course of study includes both liberal arts courses and library-related courses, which include library operation and automation, and how to order, process, catalogue, locate and circulate library materials. It also includes computer study including databasing, library automation systems, online library systems, online public access systems and circulation systems.

Master of Library Science (MLS)

In order to be a librarian, you need to have a bachelor's in liberal arts with a master's in library science. The course of study includes foundations of library and information science; the history of books and printing; intellectual freedom and censorship; the role of libraries and information in society; the selection and processing of materials; the organization of information; reference tools; strategies; computer science; and customer services. You choose other courses based on your choice of specialty. They may include resources for children or young adults; classification, cataloguing, indexing and abstracting; library administration; and library automation.

PhD Programs in Library Science

You need a PhD if you want to teach at the college level or obtain a top-level administrative position. There will also be continuing education beyond the doctorate level simply because there are constant changes, due mostly to new advances in technology.

Career Opportunities in Library Science

A person with at least a master's degree can work in public, school and academic libraries; nonprofit organizations; major corporations; medical libraries; legal libraries and even the Library of Congress. Those who possess excellent computer skills can get jobs as automated-systems librarians; as information architect librarians; designing information storage and retrieval systems; and developing procedures for collecting, organizing, interpreting and classifying information.