M.Lib.I.Sc.

MLibISc (Master of Library & Information Science) is a postgraduate level professional degree course that covers advanced study of principles and practices of library and information science. The course is offered as a full-time as well as part-time (correspondence) programme at different universities and colleges across India.

Master of Library and Information Science includes the study of subjects like Planning and Management, Computer Basics and Applications, Library Management, Research Methodology, Statistical Techniques and alike.

The course duration is usually a year but you can complete this course within a maximum time span of 3 years.

Admission to MLibISc is provided on the basis of both merit as well as entrance exams. This means that while some universities provide direct admission to candidates on the basis of their marks in graduation, others offer admission on the basis of score obtained by candidates in the entrance exam.

Once candidates successfully complete MLibISc course, they can find job opportunities in the areas of archiving, cataloguing, indexing, information architecture, research, metadata architecture, etc. Interested candidates can also choose to pursue MPhil and PhD in library and information science to build a career in the field of research.  

Candidates should meet the below-mentioned parameters to fulfill eligibility criteria for MLibISc course:

• Candidates should clear graduation in any stream from a recognised university
• Candidates should clear graduation with minimum 50% - 60% marks  
• Candidates who have completed BLibSc or BLibISc are sometimes preferred for admission

Note: Eligibility criteria mentioned above might vary depending on the university in which a candidate is applying for admission.

A few universities/colleges conduct their separate entrance exam/s for admission into MLibISc course. some of them have been listed below:

1. Pondicherry University M. Lib.I.Sc Entrance exam
2. Osmania University M. Lib.I.Sc Entrance exam
3. Mangalore University M. Lib.I.Sc Entrance exam
4. Shivaji University M. Lib.I.Sc Entrance exam
5. Punjab University M. Lib.I.Sc Entrance exams

MLibISc is usually of two years duration divided into four semesters. However, some universities also offer one-year duration MLibISc course.

Given below is a semester-wise overview of subjects taught in two-year duration MLibISc course:

Many colleges/universities offer Masters in Library and Information Science. Some of them are:

• Jadavpur University
• Aligarh Muslim University (AMU)
• Banaras Hindu University
• Delhi University
• Jamia Millia Islamia
• Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU)

Candidates who successfully complete MLibISc course can find lucrative employment opportunities in public and private libraries, news agencies, foreign embassies, photo/ film libraries, information/ documentation centers, museums, galleries, etc. Some of the popular job profiles for MIbISc candidates include:

• Deputy Librarian: A deputy librarian leads the secondary library team, which provides service detailed in library policy. The professional also works in coordination with teaching staff to ensure that the library service provides proper resources to support teaching and learning throughout the school.
• Academic Librarian: An academic librarian acquires, organises, manages as well as distributes library resources to ensure that the provision of library meets the needs of all the users.
• Electronic Resources Librarian: An electronic resources librarian is a professional who manages the life cycle of electronic resources such as e-books, databases, videos, etc. The professional is also responsible for managing serials, including ordering, maintaining and receiving serials in print and electronic formats.
• Junior /Assistant Librarian: A library assistant helps librarians in different tasks needed to run a library smoothly. Some such tasks include acquiring, preparing, and organizing library materials.
• Librarian: A librarian performs different tasks needed to run a library such as acquiring, selecting, cataloguing, circulating, and maintaining library materials. Apart from this, a librarian also furnishes reference, bibliographical, and readers' advisory services.
• Teacher Librarian: A teacher librarian is the keeper as well as distributor of instructional media for a school. The professional helps assure equity of information by working in collaboration with teachers to help them and their students learn the skills required to identify and access appropriate resources.

Students can opt for higher studies for advanced knowledge of the course. They can also pursue their own business in books by establishing their own library

Some of the skills and traits that candidates should have in order to build a successful career in library and information science include:

Candidates after successfully completing MLibISc can land up jobs in various departments including:

• Deputy Librarian
• Academic Librarian
• Electronic Resources Librarian
• Junior / Assistant Librarian
• Librarian
• Teacher Librarian

Q. Can Master of Library and Information Science be pursued as a distance learning course?

Q. Can we get jobs in government sector after completing MLibISc?

Q. What is the eligibility to pursue MLibISc?

Q. What are the main subjects taught in MLibISc?

Q. Which are the popular job profiles after completing M Lib Sc?