Scope & Job opportunities in LIBRARY & INFORMATION SCIENCE Course

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:-

1. analyse users’ needs and provide the information they need;
2. show users how to efficiently search for information on the Internet and in other online resources;
3. select and purchase materials and prepare those materials by classifying them according to subject matter;
4. supervise assistants who prepare cards, computer records, or other access tools that direct users to resources;
5. collect and organize books, pamphlets, manuscripts, and other materials in a specific field, such as rare books, genealogy, or music;
6. coordinate programs such as storytelling for children, and literacy skills and book talks for adults;
7. conduct classes as per need for junior professionals;
8. 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.

 

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.

Types of library-science professionals:  Some of the career options are as given below:

1. Library Attendant
2. Library Assistant
3. Semi-Professional Assistant
4. Junior Librarian/Professional Assistant
5. Assistant Librarian
6. Deputy Librarian
7. Librarian/Chief Librarian
8. Researcher/Scientists/Application Specialist
9. Consultant/Reference Librarian
10. Cataloguer/Technical Assistant/Records Manager
11. Director/Head Of Information Centre
12. Senior Information Analyst
13. Junior Information Analyst
14. Senior Library Information Assistant
15. Law Librarian
16. Indexer
17. Information architect
18. Archivist

      LIS professionals can also aspire to get a job in private publishing houses and other private companies handling with voluminous information.

 

Library Classification: Intro, Need and Purpose

Introduction: 

Classification is the bed-rock of systematic library. It is the hyphen that joins and the buckle that fastens the reader and his document.

  The word classification comes from the Latin word ˜classis. in the ancient Rome, the term classis was used to refer to a group of persons possessing certain qualities in common as well as belonging to the same class.

  Ordinarily classification is a process of grouping, ideas or objects on the basis of certain qualities which its members posses.

  To under stand the meaning of classification let us study a few definitions of classification given by some specialists:

Definitions: 

1. Margaret Mann says. Classification is the act of arranging things according to their likeness and unlikeness. She further says, It is a sorting or grouping of things.

 

2. According to Richardson, Classification is putting together like things.

 

3. Berwick Sayers defines library Classification as The arrangement of books on shelves or description of them, in a manner which is the most useful to those who read.

 

4. New Encyclopaedia Britannica defines library classification as a system of arrangement adopted by a library to enable patrons to find its material quickly and easily.

  From these definitions it becomes clear that the arrangement of documents in a systematic way is called classification. In library classification we deal with documents with the sole purpose of arranging them in the most helpful and   permanent sequence. Library classification thus aims at providing formal access to documents.

 A popular way of putting works about the same subject in roughly the same place on the shelf. Even if you don't find the book you were looking for, you'll be in the neighborhood of other books on related topics.  

NEED & PURPOSE OF LIBRARY CLASSIFICATION: 

Let us deliberate upon some points that elaborate the need and purpose of Library Classification.

 

Helpful Sequence:

 

The basic purpose of any library classification should be to arrange the documents in a method most convenient to the users and to the library staff. The documents should be arranged in classes, and based on the mutual relations between them. This would bring together closely related classes. In other words, related documents would be grouped in close proximity, the basic idea being that like classes are brought together and unlike classes are separated.

   

Correct Replacement:

 

Documents after being taken out from shelves by the users or by the library staff should, after being used, be replaced in their proper places.

 

It is essential that library classification should enable the correct replacement of documents, after these have been returned from use. This would require a mechanized arrangement, which has been discussed in the next section.

 

Mechanized Arrangement:

 

If it is decided that a particular arrangement is suitable then, ordinarily, it should not be changed. The sequence should be determined once for all, so that one does not have to re-determine the sequence of documents again when these are returned after being borrowed, or for the interpolation of new documents in their correct places. This is done by allocating notation, which expresses order. Thus, it becomes possible to easily insert or reinsert the various documents in their correct places. This is how we are able to mechanize the arrangement.

 

Addition of New Documents:

 

A library would acquire new documents from time to time. Therefore, library classification should help in finding the most helpful place for each of these among the existing collection of the library. There are two possibilities in this regard. The new books may be on a subject already provided for in the scheme of library classification, or it may be on a newly emerging subject, which may not have been provided for in the existing scheme. In the second case the scheme should have inbuilt qualities which may allow the fixing the position of the newly emerging subjects amidst another subject having literary warrant.

  

Withdrawal of Documents from Stock:

 

In case, the need arises to withdraw a document from the stock for some reason, the library classification should facilitate such a withdrawal.

 

Other Purposes:

 

Library Classification should also be able to serve the following purposes:

 

A)    Classification of pieces information: The classification should help us to classify even small pieces of information e.g. Articles of a journal etc.

B)    Classification of reference queries: The classification also helps the reference librarian to arrange the queries in a classified order, which makes their redressal quite fast and easy.

C)    Classification of suggestions received from the users

D)    Filing of non book materials such as correspondences, photographs, films and so on.

E)     Classification of statistics of various kinds, for instance the classification of statistics with regard to the issuance of books would reflect the pattern of demands on various subjects.

F)     Class number the derivative of classification is needed in the preparation of catalogue. It assists the user of a catalogue to refer to the location of the documents on the shelf and also helps in arranging the catalogue cards in a classified sequence; and

G)    Assist the library staff to prepare a subject wise list of documents for to cater to the demand of different departments associated with the library or for maintaining records of documents transferred to branch library or lending centre from the stock of the central library.

 The need and purpose of the library classification can be summarised as follows: 

From the points laid down above in support to the need of library classification in libraries the purposes of adhering to it are as under:

 

To serve as a key.

  To facilitate the location of a particular document among the thousands of documents available in huge library collection.

  To ensure optimum usage of books

  To bring about elegance in the discharge of library services to all readers.

  To save the time of library staff and users.

  To overthrow burden from the minds of library staff by grouping together the identical documents at one place.

Library & Information Science Resources................

Library science, or library information science might conjure up hermits in musty, dark rooms, cataloging index cards into towering file cabinets. But, that image is incorrect today, as library science now pertains to digital cataloging, social networking and a changing history in archival science. This list of 50 excellent library science blogs are worth reading for any contemporary library science professional.

Information Science and Systems

1. Bibliographic Wilderness: Jonathan Rochkind writes about library digital systems and services, metadata, cataloging, and the collective effort to help people navigate the ‘information wilderness.’
2. Catalogablog: This blog focuses on library cataloging, classification, metadata, subject access and related topics.
3. Cataloguing Aids: The author hopes that this blog can serve as an index for the Cataloguing Aids Web site.
4. Cataloging Futures: The metadata librarian at Princeton Theological Seminary writes this blog about cataloging.
5. Hey Jude: Judy O’Connell started this blog in 2006 to help her engage in social networking and to inform her work as a librarian with skills in information services.
6. Infomusings: A doctoral student at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill writes about her studies in Personal Information Management (PIM) and teaches the intro to library cataloging course.
7. Information Research – ideas and debate: A spin-off from the e-journal dedicated to informal publication of ideas and comment on current affairs in the information world.
8. The Cataloguing Librarian: The collections access librarian at Halifax Public Libraries writes this blog as a resource for herself and other catalogers.
9. The FRBR Blog: A blog following developments around FRBR, or Functional Requirements for Bibliographic Records.
10. The Serials Cataloger: News, research, and other information of interest to serials catalogers.
11. Z666.7.B39: Musings related to metadata, cataloging, and the world of librarianship from the electronic resources cataloging coordinator at Princeton University Library.

OCLC (Online Computer Library Center) Blogs

12. 025.431: The Dewey blog: “Everything you always wanted to know about the Dewey Decimal Classification system but were afraid to ask.”
13. HangingTogether: This blog is a place where some of the OCLC Research staff, particularly those individuals who support the RLG Partnership of libraries, archives, and museums, can talk about the intersections they see happening between these different types of institutions.
14. Hectic Pace: Andrew Pace, the executive director for Networked Library Services at OCLC, is the author of this blog.
15. Lorcan Dempsey’s Weblog: Lorcan currently works for OCLC as vice president, OCLC research and chief strategist.
16. OCLC Developer Network: This blog is about library Web services from the OCLC Web services group and its Developer Network.
17. Outgoing: Library metadata techniques and trends by Thom Hickey, OCLC’s chief scientist.
18. Q6: This blog is maintained by Jeff Young, software architect at OCLC.
19. WebJunction: WebJunction is an online community where library staff meet to share ideas, solve problems, take online courses – and have fun.
20. Weibel Lines: Ruminations on libraries, Internet standards, and “stuff that comes to mind” from a senior research scientist at OCLC.
21. WorldCat Blog: WorldCat.org lets you search the collections of libraries in your community and thousands more around the world. This is their official blog.

Web 2.0 Librarian

22. Community Virtual Library: The Community Virtual Library Foundation is a non-profit organization formed to support Community Virtual Library, a virtual library that exists in Second Life.
23. David Lee King: David creates, writes, thinks, and speaks about library Web sites and emerging digital technology.
24. iLibrarian: News and resources on Library 2.0 and the information revolution.
25. Information Literacy meets Library 2.0: This is the blog which updates the book, Information Literacy meets Library 2.0.
26. Infotangle: This blog is about emerging technologies, Web 2.0, information, and libraries.
27. Librarian: This rural librarian is deep into writing about library topics and speaking on library issues.
28. Library Web Chic: Karen A. Coombs is a librarian and geek coder with an interest in mashups, Web services, and library Web site interfaces.
29. The Shifted Librarian: This blogger writes about how the change from pursuing information to receiving information is and will be affecting libraries.

Library News

30. Information Literacy Weblog: News and reports about information literacy around the world.
31. Library Bytes: “Byte-size” chunks of news about libraries and new technologies.
32. Library Link of the Day: Every day a link is added for library news and its profession.
33. Library Stuff: The library blog dedicated to resources for keeping current and professional development.
34. LIScareer News: Alerts about new LIScareer articles and site updates. Occasional news about information relating to library and information science career management.
35. LISNews: LISNews is a collaborative blog devoted to current events and news in the world of library and information science.
36. Planet Cataloguing: Stay on top of the library world by reading updates from several library blogs at this site.
37. ResearchBuzz: News about search engines, digital archives, online museums, databases and other Internet information collections since 1998.
38. Union Librarian: News about librarian union activity, Unions for Librarians Supporting Workers, a project of the Progressive Librarians Guild.
39. Unshelved: This blog offers reviews, news and comics for and about libraries and librarians.

Digital Library

40. Blyberg: John Blyberg is the assistant director for innovation and user experience at the Darien Library in Connecticut.
41. Closed Stacks: Closed Stacks is a collaborative blog written by librarians from a range of library types.
42. Connecting Librarian: An information librarian at Casey Cardinia Library Corporation offers views on virtual services.
43. Creative Librarian: The Creative Librarian is a hub for matters important to librarians/information scientists of today, with a leaning toward electronic issues.
44. Information Wants To Be Free: A librarian, writer, educator and tech geek reflects on the profession and the tools used to serve patrons.
45. Librarian in Black: Sarah Houghton-Jan is the digital futures manager for the San José Public Library in the heart of the Silicon Valley.
46. Library Monk: A Senior IT Technologist I / Web designer in Library Technology Services at the University of Tennessee offers this site on library and information science and information technology.
47. Tame The Web: Michael Stephens writes about libraries, technology and people.
48. The Invisible Web Weblog: A blog about the Invisible Web and information availability on the Web.
49. The Life of Books: The director of the law library and professor of law at the University of Nebraska College of Law writes about the idea that “books are dead.”

50.The Travelin’ Librarian: Michael Sauers is currently the technology innovation librarian for the Nebraska Library Commission in Lincoln, Nebraska, and has been training librarians in technology for more than 15 years

Admission in B.LIb&Information Sc. going on.......... LAST DATE :30.11.2011

Department of Vocational Courses ,(ScienceCampus),A.S.College, Deoghar मे सिदो कान्हो मुर्मू विश्वविद्यालय, दुमका (Website-www.skmu.edu.in) द्वारा प्रस्वीकृत एवं अनुज्ञा प्राप्त रोजगारोन्मुखी एक वर्षीय पाठ्यक्रम पुस्तकालय एवं सूचना विज्ञान (Bachelor in Library & Information Science),  सत्र -2011-12  मे  ADMISSION जारी है

Ø   पहले आए पहले ADMISSION पाए ।  सीटे -40,

   शैक्षणिक योग्यता - स्नातक 45% अंक या अधिक 

Ø विशेषताएँ - Experienced & trained Teachers, audio-visual & software based library management training regular classes ,Workshops & Seminars.               शीघ्र संपर्क करे at  Phone : 9546767075, 9631485831 ,8603716942.     कार्यालय अवधि-8A.M.  से 12.30P.M.