Library and Information Science (LIS) is an interdisciplinary field that applies the practices, perspectives, and tools of management, information technology, education, and other areas to libraries; the collection, organization, preservation, and dissemination of information resources; and the political economy of information. The libraries being the repositories of knowledge and information, their importance has increased. In this situation, the librarianship has attained the status of a separate discipline. Librarians are the custodians of libraries and they organize, maintain, and store books in the libraries. They help people to find information and use it effectively in their personal and professional lives. The traditional libraries which contained only books now have periodicals, journals, micro-films, audio-videos, cassettes and slides for various purposes such as education, research, reference and pleasure.
Historically, library science has also included archival science. This includes how information resources are organized to serve the needs of select user groups, how people interact with classification systems and technology, how information is acquired, evaluated and applied by people in and outside of libraries as well as cross-culturally, how people are trained and educated for careers in libraries, the ethics that guide library service and organization, the legal status of libraries and information resources, and the applied science of computer technology used in documentation and records management.
The career in library includes areas like library and information systems management, classification/cataloguing systems, bibliography, documentation, preservation and conservation of manuscript, collection management, information systems and technology, research methodology, computer applications, reference, statistics and management, information processing, archives management, indexing, library planning, etc. Library science is constantly evolving, incorporating new topics like database management, information architecture and knowledge management, among others. It is an interesting subject and provides a great opportunity to have the knowledge of wide variety of information sources.
Library Science Job Profile : On a typical day a librarian might perform some of the following duties:-
- analyse users’ needs and provide the information they need;
- show users how to efficiently search for information on the Internet and in other online resources;
- select and purchase materials and prepare those materials by classifying them according to subject matter;
- supervise assistants who prepare cards, computer records, or other access tools that direct users to resources;
- collect and organize books, pamphlets, manuscripts, and other materials in a specific field, such as rare books, genealogy, or music;
- coordinate programs such as storytelling for children, and literacy skills and book talks for adults;
- conduct classes as per need for junior professionals;
- publicize services;
Minimum Educational Qualification: The first school for library science was founded by Melvil Dewey at Columbia University in 1887..
Graduates from any stream can go for Bachelors degree in library science the duration of which is one year/ two semesters. After that, students can go for Masters Degree in library science, which is of one-year duration/two semesters course. Advanced studies in Library & Information Science include M. Phil and Ph.D. Besides, there are also diploma and certificate courses. Basically, a good librarian should have keen interest in books as well as a variety of topics, excellent communication skills, customer service attitude, methodical approach, high organizing ability/skills, and ability of understanding user needs.
Some of the courses one can pursue to be a part of the Library Science are:
- Certificate Courses in Library Science
- Certificate in ICT Application in Library
- Certificate Course in Library and Information Science
- Diploma Courses in Library Science
- Diploma in Library and Information Science (DLIS)
- Bachelor of Library and Information Science
- Master of Library Science
- Master of Philosophy in Library & information Science
- Post Graduate Diploma in Library Automation and Networking
- Doctor of Philosophy in Library & information Science
One can also think of specializing in a particular field. There are many options available from Information architecture, Indexing, Librarian, Information broker, Archiving, Metadata Management, Researchers, Cataloguing, Metadata Architecture, etc
Job opportunities: There are ample of options for students who are pursuing library sciences as a profession. Librarians, today, are not only the information providers but also make sure that the information in the library is systematically organized and updated from time to time.
While entering the field, the position of Assistant Librarian is offered and so gradually they can work their way upward to the post of Librarian. Well qualified candidates of the field can look for a job at schools, colleges, universities, public and government libraries, private libraries, news broadcasting agencies, academic institutions, and many more. There is also the option of applying to galleries, archives, museums, and documentation centers. These days there are private publishing houses and statistical research centers which also require graduated of this field. Some experienced librarians work independently as service providers.According to one report, library and information science has been ranked as one of the “Best Careers of 2008.” As India is moving towards a knowledge society with proliferation of learning and research institutes the demand and importance of library science is growing rapidly. Consequently, job opportunities for librarians are on the upswing. Nevertheless, with the advent of information technology and computers the traditional concept of is being redesigned to include not only books and other printed materials but also new tools of information like CD-ROM, internet, virtual libraries etc. There is a lot of scope for a career in library science and the person in this field can find employment opportunities in the following areas.
While entering the field, the position of Assistant Librarian is offered and so gradually they can work their way upward to the post of Librarian. Well qualified candidates of the field can look for a job at schools, colleges, universities, public and government libraries, private libraries, news broadcasting agencies, academic institutions, and many more. There is also the option of applying to galleries, archives, museums, and documentation centers. These days there are private publishing houses and statistical research centers which also require graduated of this field. Some experienced librarians work independently as service providers.According to one report, library and information science has been ranked as one of the “Best Careers of 2008.” As India is moving towards a knowledge society with proliferation of learning and research institutes the demand and importance of library science is growing rapidly. Consequently, job opportunities for librarians are on the upswing. Nevertheless, with the advent of information technology and computers the traditional concept of is being redesigned to include not only books and other printed materials but also new tools of information like CD-ROM, internet, virtual libraries etc. There is a lot of scope for a career in library science and the person in this field can find employment opportunities in the following areas.
1. Public/Government libraries
2. Universities/collages/schools and other academic institutions
3. News agencies and organisations
4. Private organisations and special libraries
5. Foreign embassies
6. Photo/film/radio/television libraries
7. Information centres/documentation centers
8. Companies and organisations with large information handling requirements
9. Museums and galleries, which have reading rooms and research facilities
10. Law library/Special library, etc.
2. Universities/collages/schools and other academic institutions
3. News agencies and organisations
4. Private organisations and special libraries
5. Foreign embassies
6. Photo/film/radio/television libraries
7. Information centres/documentation centers
8. Companies and organisations with large information handling requirements
9. Museums and galleries, which have reading rooms and research facilities
10. Law library/Special library, etc.
Types of library-science professionals: Some of the career options are as given below:
- Library Attendant
- Library Assistant
- Semi-Professional Assistant
- Junior Librarian/Professional Assistant
- Assistant Librarian
- Deputy Librarian
- Librarian/Chief Librarian
- Researcher/Scientists/Application Specialist
- Consultant/Reference Librarian
- Cataloguer/Technical Assistant/Records Manager
- Director/Head Of Information Centre
- Senior Information Analyst
- Junior Information Analyst
- Senior Library Information Assistant
- Law Librarian
- Indexer
- Information architect
- Archivist
LIS professionals can also aspire to get a job in private publishing houses and other private companies handling with voluminous information.
