In pop culture, most librarians are depicted to be old, boring, keeping a watch over the entire library with prying eyes peering through thick, round glasses, and waiting to point fingers at people to shush them or to simply throw them out for speaking a little too loud. Totally outdated ideas we tell you! Did you know that most librarians are very well-trained in a field called “library and information science”? In fact, most librarian positions require at least a master’s degree!
The first place that you’d find most students flocking towards during exams are libraries. They are gateways to knowledge and culture that play a vital role in the development of society while also creating opportunities for everyone to learn and to grow. But maintaining and managing a library is not a simple task. It is an exact science that most librarians must have training and expertise in. This is known as “library and information science”.
Library and information science is the study of everything related to libraries and information management. It encompasses several functions including the organization, storing, regulation, data analysis, enhancing user experience, and improving the access to information that is available on various public as well as private platforms. Those who study library and information systems look to design and develop information systems, encourage reading habits by curating resources, and help researchers easily access information from various sources.
Studying library and information science opens up a plethora of opportunities in today’s world. Some of the most popular job opportunities are listed below.
- Data CuratorData curators are responsible for creating methods that can manage data so that it becomes easier for the users for data discovery and analysis. Data curators need to enable data discovery and retrieval and maintain the integrity of the available data.
- Chief Information OfficerChief information officers are responsible for developing and managing strategies and implementation techniques used in information management. They need to research new technologies and formulate plans to implement them in a way that improves business infrastructures.
- Digital ArchivistsDigital archivists maintain records by using digitization techniques on hard copies of old documents. They help to protect historical documents by storing important articles through various archiving techniques and technologies.
- ResearchersResearchers in library and information science engage in interdisciplinary activities that focus on various library management techniques. Opportunities of research in library and information science include working in fields related to archiving, information behavior, social information systems, and web-based information systems.
- Information ArchitectInformation architects are responsible for the effective management of information through activities such as structuring, organizing, and labeling information for easy retrieval and updation. It is mostly related to the management of digital information.
- LibrariansThis one is a no-brainer. However, most librarians don’t just sit around waiting to issue books to those who need it. In fact, librarians are actively involved in projects that benefit society in multiple ways – from organizing fun games for children to developing mindfulness programs that can be used to effectively train those with attention disorders. The different types of librarians that play vital roles in a community can generally be categorized into four.
- Public librarians
- School librarians
- Academic librarians
- Specialty-focused librarians
Around the world, there are hundreds of universities that offer programs in library and information sciences. Some of the most popular library and information science-related programs are listed below.
- Bachelor of Arts in Library and Information Science
- Bachelor of Information Management, Library Science and Archives
- Bachelor of Science in Information Science at the University of North Carolina
- Master in Library and Archive Science
- Masters in Information (Library Information Science major)
- Master of Arts in Library and Information Science at the University of Sheffield & the University of Arizona
- Master of Library and Information Science at the University of Washington
- Master of Science in Library Science at the University of North Carolina
- Master of Science in Library and Information Science at the University of Illinois
- Master of Library and Information Studies at the University of British Columbia
- Ph.D. in Library Science: Archives and Libraries in the Digital Environment
- Ph.D. in Information and Library Science at the University of North Carolina
There are many libraries around the world that have gained international recognition for having innumerable visitors and thousands of reading materials that are available for everyone who wishes to access them. Some of the most famous and celebrated libraries in the world are listed below.
- Library of Congress
- Bodleian Library
- Yale University Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library
- Vatican Library
- Boston Public Library
- New York Public Library
- Library of Parliament, Ottawa
- Seattle Central Library
- Abbey Library of Saint Gall
- Austrian National Library
