LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SCIENCE

Library and Information Science is a broad and multidisciplinary field that applies the tools and methods of management, information technology, education, and other similar areas to libraries. Students of Library and Information Science are engaged in the collection, organization, preservation, and spreading of information resources. They also study the political economy of information, or how and why information is shared the way it is.

Some graduates of Library and Information Science choose to focus on Archival Science, which is the study of building and curating archives. Archives could refer to everything from historical documents to samples of material like music, video, or digital information. Archives aim to create a coherent picture of the information represented through an array of content that is accessible and usable.

The Master’s degree in Library and Information Science is called an MLS. The degree programs usually include both theoretical study and practical components. Coursework can include Computer Science topics, Database Design, and the History of Information. Most MLS degrees also require an independent thesis for the completion of the degree. Graduates with MLS degrees typically seek work in public or university libraries, in museums or art collections, in historical societies, or in government archives. There are also jobs outside the realm of usual libraries: a wine librarian, a sound effects librarian, or a librarian of medical archives.

A few universities offer a Ph.D. in Library and Information Science. This doctoral degree requires further advanced coursework and the completion of a dissertation of original research. Graduates with a Ph.D in Library in Information Science are qualified to teach at the university level, and may be much more competitive applicants for securing university librarian jobs. The average salary of graduates with an MLS is $40,000 - $60,000, while the average salary for a Ph.D professor of Library Science can be up to $70,000 or $80,000.
Top graduate programs in Library and Information Science include the University of North Carolina — Chapel Hill, University of Washington, Syracuse University, and the University of Michigan (according to US News and World Report, 2013). For Archival Studies in particular, Simmons College and University of Texas — Austin also offer top programs (according to US News and World Report, 2013).