The Advantages To Earning A Library Science Degree Program
Earning a degree in library science allows individuals the ability to learn the specialized skills necessary to manage and maintain a library system within educational, governmental, or special libraries. A library science degree provides students the technical knowledge, research procedures, and organizational skills necessary to preserve, manage, collect, and retrieve information using technology and other systems. Students within library science degree programs gain knowledge regarding research methods, statistics, collection management, information systems, reference, cataloging and administration necessary for career success.
Many colleges and universities have developed innovative online library science degree programs to extend instruction to students unable to attend on campus courses. Most online degree programs offer virtually the same educational experiences as their traditional brick and mortar counterparts. Online courses feature a more personalized degree program which provides groups of 25 students (or less) 24 access to course materials, information, and instruction. Online degree programs also provide students with greater access to instructors and other students through Internet chats. Additionally, online classes also offer the added benefit of more flexible course scheduling to allow students with work or family responsibilities an ease of maintaining obligations in addition to pursuing their degree. Online degree programs are often one of the most affordable and convenient paths to completing a degree and expanding knowledge necessary for career success.
What Students Learn Within A Library Science Degree Program
Students within library science degree programs participate in a broad variety of specialized courses to increase knowledge in the discipline of library science. Library science programs provide instruction regarding the collecting, preserving, organization, management, and retrieval information within a library system. Most librarians and professionals within library settings are required to obtain a master’s degree in order to qualify for employment. Some students may begin studies at an associate level to advance educational and personal goals.
Courses within associate degree programs generally include: foundation of libraries and information services, introduction to technical services and collection management, multimedia for libraries and information centers, introduction to public services for libraries and information centers, introduction to library information systems, library information industry careers and portfolio development, introduction to archival methods, cataloging and classification of library materials, serials management, basic materials repair, collection maintenance and shelf management, advanced internet research, customer service and supervisory sills for paraprofessionals, library services for children and young adults, organization and management of the small library, computer maintenance and security for libraries, database management for libraries, advances in information systems, practicum projects, special topics in library information services, independent study in library information services, information skills in the digital age, organization and management of the small library, library services for children and young adults, children’s literature, advanced internet research, customer service and supervisory skills for paraprofessionals, art of website design, internet/web development, public speaking, elements of intercultural communication, stress management, cultural diversity in education, the art of storytelling, classroom relationships, information skills for the digital age, media and society, cultural diversity and the media, computer keyboarding, quality customer service, critical and evaluative reading, college Algebra, introduction to psychology, and introduction to biology. Graduates with associate degrees may advance to employment or higher degree programs.
Bachelor level courses include: introduction to information literacy, reference and information services, cataloging and classification, advanced cataloging and classification, school library media centers, development of library collection, media utilization, literature and related media for children, literature and related media for young adults, storytelling, icons of power: the evolution of the book, libraries in American history, information ethics, sessions and information technology, sources of information for a multicultural society, computers applications in libraries, internet resources and applications for librarians and informationalists, systems analysis for librarians, British studies: studies in librarianship, British studies: seminar in children’s and young adult literature, British studies: historical studies in children’s literature, British studies: research, library practicum, the library media center and the school curriculum, special problems in librarianship, and student teaching in library science. Graduates from bachelor degree programs may advance to employment or continue studies within master’s degree programs.
A master’s degree allows students to specialize education within the following concentrations: archival studies, competitive intelligence and knowledge management, digital libraries, digital library technologies, library and information services, school library media, or youth services. Master’s level courses include: research in information organizations, social context of information professions, information users and services, info access and resources, foundations of information systems, managing information organizations, public library service, resources for children and young adults, introduction to web design for information organizers, library programming, collection management, instruction role information specialist, cataloging and classification, public library service, academic library service, resources in the humanities, resources in science and technology, resources in the health sciences, resources in business, U.S. government information, legal research, metadata and resources, library technical services, library automation, content representation, introduction to database management, human-computer interaction, information retrieval systems, information architecture, information services in organizations, knowledge assets management in organizations, competitive intelligence, information retrieval systems, knowledge base systems, content representation, measuring and maximizing financial performance, data mining, knowledge management, marketing strategy and planning, professional studies instruction, evaluation of instruction, current research curriculum and instruction, multimedia instruction design, language arts processes, introduction to archives, archival access systems, electronic records management, digital preservation, content representation, and internet information resource design. Graduates from master’s degree programs in library science qualify for employment within most libraries or may advance to doctoral degree programs to qualify as experts.
Doctoral level courses allow students to concentrate studies within school or public library studies disciplines. Core courses include: collection development and management, information sources and services, organization of information; technology and libraries: tools, resources, and issues; organization of information; technology and libraries: tools, resources, issues; and building connections through community and culture; product of learning; and research methods. Specialized courses in the concentration of school libraries include: strategic administration of school media resources and services, integrating literature and media into instruction, collaborative media programs planning and evaluation, critical issues in literature and media, and an internship/practicum. Specialized courses in public libraries concentration includes: strategic administration of public library resources and services, literature and media for children and youth, readers’ advisory, public library programming and outreach, and an internship/practicum. Graduates who complete doctoral degree studies often work as researchers or instructors within vocational schools, colleges, and universities or within research occupations as experts.
Prospective Jobs For Graduates With Library Science Degrees
Graduates with library science degrees gain a specialized degree necessary for employment within libraries, schools, and other organizations. Students who complete studies within library science degrees gain a solid educational background paired with specialized studies necessary for multiple employment options. Factors like education level, area of specialty, related work experience, and geographic location. Most graduates with library science degrees work within public or private school districts, media centers, public libraries, colleges or universities, or special libraries. Graduates who complete associate degree programs in library science often gain employment as library assistants or technicians within public, specialized, or academic libraries.
Graduates who complete bachelor degrees often work as library paraprofessionals, archivists, online researchers, online content editors, media specialists, bibliographers, information services managers, or library assistants and technicians. Graduates with master’s degrees generally work as librarians, librarian studies instructors, media specialists, archivists, library directors, researchers, information brokers, database managers, or as consultants within private businesses or nonprofit organizations. Graduates with doctoral degrees are considered experts within the field of library science and work as researchers or instructors within vocational schools, colleges, universities, and other educational facilities. Due to increasing competition for librarian jobs, many graduates with library science degrees gain employment managing databases or other information systems within non traditional library settings as systems analysts, database specialists, web developers, or local area network coordinators.
Salary Range For Graduates With Library Science Degrees
Graduates who complete degree programs within library science have salaries reflective of their educational level, work experience, areas of specialty, and size, type, and location of the library of employment. The U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS) reports earnings for librarians range from $42,240 to $65,300 annually. As with most occupations, graduates who continue studies, obtain advanced degrees, and perform administrative duties often have earnings greater than candidates with less education and experience. Graduates with associate’s degrees employed as library assistants often earn $29,570 annually. Graduates with bachelor degrees who work within information service occupations generally earn $48,060 annually. Graduates with master’s degrees who work within colleges and universities generally earn $55,250 to $55,180 annually. Graduates who work in supervisory or administrative positions within Federal government libraries often have the highest earnings with salaries beginning at $84,796 annually. The BLS reports that librarians in specific geographic locations, like Nevada, the District of Columbia, and California, had higher earnings than those within other locations.
Career Outlook And Advancement Opportunities For Library Science Degree Graduates
Graduates with library science degrees are expected to find ample, yet competitive, job opportunities upon completing studies and gaining work experience. The U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics reports job growth for library science professionals to rise by 8% thorough 2018 at an slightly lower than average rate. Budget constraints, economic downturns, and the advancement of technology are expected to contribute to limited job growth for library science professionals. Despite slow employment growth within the field of library science, graduates are expected to find favorable employment prospects due to anticipation of the number of librarians retiring during the next 7 years. Additionally, the demand for librarians to manage library staff, develop databases, and assist in the collection of materials and references will contribute to overall stability of employment for qualified professionals.
Most library science professionals begin within entry level positions and gradually expand work experience necessary to assume administrative positions with increased responsibilities and higher salaries. Graduate students often begin employment within supervisory positions and assume positions within larger libraries or begin their own consulting firms upon gaining relevant on the job experience and adequate funding. Some library science professionals leave the field entirely and pursue employment as upper level executives or researchers within private or non-profit businesses and organizations. Graduates who specialize training and obtain advanced degrees often find the most employment prospects or gain employment within non-traditional sectors, including private businesses, consulting firms, or non-profit organizations.
