Library & Information Science: Full form, Admission 2023, Fees, Syllabus, Entrance Exam, Salary

Updated on Sep 14, 2023 01:32 IST
Jasmine Dang Arora

Jasmine Dang AroraDeputy Manager-Content

Library and Information Science (LIB Sc or LIS) is a joint term that is associated with the library and information science. Library and Information Science is generally viewed as a field that started as a multidisciplinary field based on Literature, Psychology, Sociology, Management, Computer Science, etc. It is an interdisciplinary domain that is concerned with the creation, management, and use of its information in all forms that are presently known to man. Library and Information Science is taught in various universities and colleges at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. 

Library and Information Science courses can be completed in a duration of one to three years. A student can also pursue Ph.D. in Library and Information Science to gain advanced knowledge of LIS. The fees of these courses range between INR 2,000 to INR 7 lakh. Some of the popular entrance exams are the SAT, JMI Entrance Exam, IIMC Entrance Exam, JNUEE, AMU Entrance Exam, etc.

The main objective of Library and Information Science is to bring together a variety of theoretical approaches. After completing Lib.I.Sc course, the graduates can find job opportunities in the areas of archiving, cataloging, indexing, information architecture, research, metadata architecture, etc. They can earn an average salary ranging from INR 3 lakh to 4 lakh.

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Library and Information Science Course Highlights

Students interested in managing printed materials, records, images, audiovisual assets, and ephemera can join Library and Information Science programme. Interested students can check the table below to know the key highlights of the course.

Features

Details

Course Level

UG, PG, Diploma, Certificate, PhD

Full Form

Library and Information Science

Duration

1-3 Years

Admission Process

Direct Admission/ Merit-based/ Entrance-based

Mode of Study

Regular, Part-Time, Distance Learning

Entrance Exams

CUET, JMI Entrance Test, JNUEEPUB DET, etc.

Eligibility

Varies as per the programme level

Course Fee

INR 20,000 to INR 2 lakh

Average Salary Offered

Up to INR 3-4 lakh

Job Profiles

Librarian, Junior Information Analyst, Information Architect, Library Attendant, Integrated Library System Application Specialist and others

Top Recruiting Areas

Government offices, government libraries, private sectors, educational institutes, etc.

Also Read: 

20 Best Courses after the 12th for Arts and Humanities Students

All About Library and Information Science

Library and Information Science provides understanding of Library Science, its principles, Laws and Social Impact. Librarians, bridge the gap between people, information, and technology. They serve the needs of selected user groups, and how information is stored, evaluated, and applied.

Students can pursue a Diploma, B Lib Sc, M Lib Sc as well as a PhD programme in Library and Information Science. It can be pursued as a full-time regular course from universities like Panjab University, Aligarh Muslim University, Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gorakhpur University, etc, or as a distance learning course from NIMS, Rajasthan, Lovely Professional University, Annamalai University, Chennai

Why Study Library and Information Science?

Library Science is basically a field of study that teaches how to manage books and other materials in a library. Students can opt for Library and Information Science due to the below-mentioned reasons:

Career Opportunities: Wide-range job options in libraries, archives, information centers, and allied sectors are made possible with an Library and Information Science degree. Among other jobs, you could be a knowledge manager, information specialist, archivist, or librarian.

Managing and Providing Information: Managing and organising information properly is essential in the information-rich digital age. With the help of this degree, you will be able to assist people and organisations in efficiently accessing the information they require.

Promotes Literacy: By providing resources, conducting research, and encouraging lifelong learning, librarians play an important part in promoting literacy and education. You can have a big effect in this sector if you're passionate about spreading information and education.

Also Read:

Bachelor of Library Science Course Details

Library and Information Science Courses Eligibility

Candidates can pursue Diploma, UG, PG or doctoral programme in Library and Information Science.

Course

Duration

Eligibility

Diploma in Library and Information Science

1-Year

Students can pursue this course after 10+2 with 50 per cent marks.

BLibSc

1-Year

Students take the course after completing their graduation in any discipline with 50 per cent marks from a recognised university.

MILibSc

1-Year

The candidate needs to have done their Bachelor in Library Science (BLibSc) in order to get admission in MLibSc. The student must have secured a minimum of 45% in aggregate to be eligible, which should be from a recognised university.

MLibSc

2-Year

The student must have secured a minimum of 45% in aggregate to be eligible, which should be from a recognised university.

PhD in Library and Information Science

2-3 Years

Candidates must have completed their PG degree or M.Phil in relevant discipline from a recognized university to be eligible to pursue a PhD in LIS. They must have a minimum aggregate of 55% in the respective master’s degree course. For SC/ST candidates, there is a relaxation of marks available, they need to have at least 50% aggregate score.
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Library and Information Science Entrance Exams 2023

Those who desire to pursue a profession in library science can enrol in the Master of Library and Information Science programme. The eligibility criteria for admission to the programme differ in every college. Some colleges provide admission on the basis of entrance exams mentioned below, while ome offer admission on the basis of merit. Students need to appear in the below-mentioned entrance tests:

Name of Entrance Exam Registration Details Exam Details
YCMOU Closed Held in May (Check Exam Schedule)
CUET Closed Held in June 
JNUEE Closed Held in May
JMI Entrance Test Closed Held in April
PUB DET Closed Held in May

Also Read:

Entrance Exams for Library and Information Science

Syllabus for Library and Information Sciences

Students who opt to pursue Library and Information Science courses need to study some basic subjects. Given below is a semester-wise overview of subjects taught in two-year duration MLibISc course:

Semester Syllabus
Semester-1
  • Computer Basics & Applications
  • Foundations of Library & Information Science
  • Knowledge, Information and Communication
  • Knowledge Organisation – Library Classification & Cataloguing-I (Practical)
Semester-2
  • Library Management
  • Computer Applications (Practical)
  • Information Sources & Services
  • Marketing of Information Products and Services
Semester-3
  • Universe of Knowledge & Research Methods
  • Information Retrieval (Practical)
  • Information Retrieval (Theory)
  • Information Technology and System Design
Semester-4
  • Information Science and Knowledge Management
  • Information Sources & Products in Social Sciences (Elective)
  • Yoga (Elective)
  • Information Technology Applications (Practical)

Also Read:

BSc in Library and Information Science Syllabus

Top Colleges for Library and Information Science

Library and Information Science is a course that can be completed in maximum of three years duration. It is offered at different universities and colleges in India. Every year, students compete for seats in the top private and government colleges offering this course. The colleges mentioned in the table are listed alphabetically and not in any order of ranking hierarchy.

Top Private Colleges for Library and Information Science

The list of top private colleges offering Library Science courses are:

Name of College Fees (in INR)
Amity University, Noida INR 84,000-INR 13 lakh
Adamas University, Kolkata INR 1-INR 4 lakh
Christ University, Bangalore INR 30,000-INR 6 lakh
Kristu Jayanti College, Bangalore INR 11,000-INR 2 lakh
Loyola College, Chennai INR 45,000-INR 1 lakh
Mount Carmel College, Bangalore INR 1 lakh-INR 4 lakh
Mithibai College of Arts, Mumbai INR 30,000-INR 97,000
Symbiosis College of Arts and Commerce, Pune INR 77,000-INR 2 lakh
Stella Maris College, Chennai INR 54,000-INR 2 lakh
St. Joseph's University, Bangalore INR 96,000- INR 3 lakh

Top Government Colleges for Library and Information Science Courses

The course can also be pursued by government colleges. The fees of government colleges are quite reasonable in comparison to the private colleges. Students can have a look at the table below to know the renowned institutes and their fees.

Name of College Fees (in INR)
Daulat Ram College, Delhi INR 35,000-INR 62,000
Gargi College, Delhi INR 24,000-INR 49,000
Hindu College, Delhi INR 36,000-INR 53,000
Hansraj College, Delhi INR 432-INR 15,000
Lady Shri Ram College for Women, Delhi INR 2,000-INR 67,000
Miranda House, Delhi INR 17,000-INR 51,000
Madras Christian College, Chennai INR 56,000-INR 63,000
Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak INR 800-INR 30,000
Ramjas College, Delhi INR 17,000-INR 52,000
T C Business School, Jaipur INR 44,000

Also Read:

Top Colleges for Library Information Sciences

Library and Information Science Career: Job Profiles, Salary and Top Recruiters

Library and Information Science course provides career opportunities in schools, colleges and big institutions as well as national and state libraries. It is considered a good career path for many with an interest in the collection, management and organisation of books and other library resources.

After completing graduation, students can pursue higher studies in the same field for advanced knowledge and exposure. They can also opt for higher studies abroad.  In abroad, individuals with a degree in Library and Information Science get job offers in national museums and historical libraries as a librarian, digital architect, analyst, etc. The candidates can also sit for civil service examinations after completing their graduation in Bachelor of Library and Information Science (B.Lib.I.Sc). 

Library and Information Science Job Profiles

Students can get jobs both in the private and government sectors. They can also easily get an option for further research in the same field of education. Also, they can get an opportunity of Assistant Professorship or Lectureship in top-notch colleges and universities.  One can earn around INR 3 to 6 LPA after completing a course in Library and Information Science.

Job Profiles

Average Annual Salary (in INR) 

Professor

INR 6.1 LPA

Cataloguer

INR 5.8 LPA

Deputy Librarian

INR 8.2 LPA

Academic Librarian

INR 3.8 LPA

Electronic Resources Librarian

INR 12 LPA

Junior / Assistant Librarian

INR 3 LPA

Librarian

INR 4 LPA

Teacher Librarian

INR 5.4 LPA

Top Recruiters in Library and Information Science

Candidates of library courses can find employment in a variety of industries, including news agencies, public and private libraries, museums and galleries with reading rooms and research facilities, and photo and film libraries. Major recruiters for candidates who have a degree in Library and Information Sciences course are mentioned below.

Top Recruiters for Library and Information Science

Newspaper agencies

National Level Documentation Centers

News channels

Libraries of Radio Stations

WHO UNESCO

National Museum and Archives

World Bank

Read More:

Know all about BA programmes

Library and Information Science FAQs

Q. Is Library and Information Science a good career?

A. Yes, Library and Information Science is an impressive career. Students pursuing an Library and Information Sciences degree gain knowledge of a range of topics related to library and information administration, such as cataloguing, information organisation, retrieval of data, collection management, digital libraries, and information technology. It also open doors for students to venture into the research field in the same. The graduates can earn an average salary between INR 4 to 6 lakh.

 

Q. What are the top entrance exams for library courses?

A. Library and Information Science courses can be studied as full-time, part-time, or distance learning. Students can sit for various entrance examinations that are conducted by the universities. Some of the entrance exams have been listed below:

Q. What are the employment areas in Library and Information Science?

A. One can become a librarian, academic librarian, research analyst, digital archivist, information analyst or even work in historical museums after completing a course in Library and Information Sciences.

  • National and State Libraries

  • Various universities

  • Schools

  • Colleges

  • Institutions

  • Tata Consultancy Services

  • Lawyers association

 

Q. Can a student pursue Diploma in Library and Information Science?

A. Students who have successfully cleared 10+2 with 50% marks will be able to pursue a Diploma in Library and Information Science. The fee structure ranges between INR 3,000 to Rs 60,000 depending upon the college and university.

Kishori Raman PG College, Krishna Kanta Handique State Open University, Vardhaman Mahaveer Open University, Adesh University, etc, are among some of the top colleges that offer the course. After successfully completing the course, students can become Librarian, Library Assistant, Assistant Librarian Integrated Library System Administrator, Library Services, Manager, Outreach Librarian, Director Of Content Acquisition, etc.

Q. Which are the popular job profiles after completing BLibSc?

A. Some of the job profiles are Librarian, Library Assistant, Law Librarian, Deputy Librarian, Assistant Professor, etc. Students can see the table below to know the average annual salary of each job profile:

Job Profiles

Average Annual Salary (in INR) 

Deputy Librarian

INR 8.2 LPA

Academic Librarian

INR 3.8 LPA

Professor

INR 6.1 LPA

Cataloguer

INR 5.8 LPA

Electronic Resources Librarian

INR 12 LPA

Junior / Assistant Librarian

INR 3 LPA

Librarian

INR 4 LPA

Teacher Librarian

INR 5.4 LPA

Q. Can I do PhD in Library and Information Science?

A. Yes, students can pursue PhD in Library and Information Science, if they fulfill the eligibility and clear the entrance exam  UGC NETGATEJEST, etc. Aspirants can check the table below to know the eligibility, fees, admission process, fees, and salary of PhD courses:

Features Details
Eligibility Passed Master's degree course with 50% marks
Course Duration 2-3 years
Admission Process Entrance-based
Course Fee INR 25,000
Average Salary INR 3 LPA to INR 25 LPA
Mode of study Offline
Top Exams UGC NET, CSIR NEt, SLET, etc
Top Colleges KUK, Panjab University, Osmania University, etc

Q. What is the scope of Bachelor of Library and Information Sciences?

A. B.Lib.I.Sc is a one-year course that is divided into two semesters. The course mainly deals with the preservation and maintenance of libraries. All the interested candidates need to complete their Bachelor's degree in any discipline with at least 50-55% marks to pursue this one-year course.

Some colleges also require students to sit for an entrance examination before they qualify for admission to that particular college. Given below are some highlights of B. Lib. Sc:

Features Details
Eligibility Passed Bachelor degree course with 50% marks
Course Duration 1 year
Admission Process Direct admission/ Merit-based/ Entrance-based
Course Fee INR 2,000 to INR 50,000
Average Salary INR 1.5 LPA to INR 6 LPA
Mode of study Offline
Top Exams AMU entrance test, University of Calcutta BLIS Entrance Exam
Top Colleges JMI, AMU, Panjab University, Jadavpur University, etc

 

Q. What is Master of Library and Information Sciences?

A. Given below are some highlights of MLibSc:

Features Details
Eligibility Passed Bachelor degree course with 50-60%% marks
Course Duration 1-3 year
Admission Process Direct admission/ Merit-based/ Entrance-based
Course Fee INR 10,000
Average Salary INR 3 LPA
Entrance Exams CUET, JMI Entrance Test, JNUEEPUB DET, etc.
Mode of study Offline
Top Exams Panjab University, Osmania University, IGNOU
Top Colleges BHU, Jadavpur University, JMI, DU, SPPU, etc

 

Q. What is the admission process for Library and Information Sciences?

A. Candidates need to follow the below-mentioned steps which are as follows:

Look for University offering a Course in Library and Information Science: The first step one needs to make is to find out which universities are offering BLibSc or MLibSc. Check the eligibility criteria, seats offered, fees and details.

Apply for the Course: Candidates then need to apply for admission after getting to know the university offering the programme. Fill up the details as required and pay the application fee. The application forms are available for a limited period of time so the candidate is advised to know the details way in advance.

Mode of Admission: Universities and Colleges will either conduct entrance exams for admission or offer admission through merit.

Results: Selected candidates make the merit list. The student has to get the desired rank and percentage, to be eligible for admission if appearing for an entrance exam.

Counselling: The candidate will have to appear for the counselling session conducted at the university to book their seat, submit their documents and pay the fees to seal admission.

Q. What are the different courses in Library and Information Science?

A. Students can see the points below to know the different levels of courses in Library and Information Sciences:

BLibSc: A Bachelor of Library Science (BLibSc) is a one-year degree that is offered by various universities and colleges. Students take the course after completing their graduation in any discipline from a recognised university. Students should have secured a minimum of 50% in their graduation.

MLibSc: A Master of Library Science (MLibSc) is a one-year degree that deals with advanced library principles and information science and practices. The candidate needs to have done their Bachelor in Library Science (BLibSc) in order to get admission in MLibSc. The student must have secured a minimum of 45% in aggregate to be eligible, which should be from a recognised university.

MLib: The course is offered as a full-time regular course with 1-2 years of duration. It lays more emphasis on the research and teaching skills of the aspirant. 

PhD in Library and Information Science: The course duration is 2-3 years. Candidates must have completed their PG degree or M.Phil in relevant discipline from a recognized university to be eligible to pursue a PhD in LIS. They must have a minimum aggregate of 55% in the respective master’s degree course. 

Q. Which are the popular colleges offering Library and Information Science courses?

Popular Library & Information Science Colleges in India

Following are the most popular Library & Information Science Colleges in India. Learn more about these Library & Information Science colleges (Courses, Reviews, Answers & more) by downloading the Brochure.
3 Courses
4.5
5.5 - 15.5 LPA
2 K - 6.1 K
3 K - 18 K
1.5
32 K - 2.1 L
5.3 K - 10.3 K
3.0
6 Courses
6 K - 30 K
7.84 - 9.2 LPA

Popular Private Library & Information Science Colleges in India

1 L - 7.2 L

Library & Information Science Applications open. Apply Now

1 L - 7.2 L
8.2 LPA

Library & Information Science Applications open. Apply Now

32 K - 2.1 L
20 K - 25 K

Most Popular Courses

Following are the most popular Library & Information Science courses, based on alumni reviews. Explore these reviews to choose the best course in Library & Information Science.

Popular Library & Information Science UG Courses in India

Following are the most popular Library & Information Science UG Courses . You can explore the top Colleges offering these UG Courses by clicking the links below.

UG Courses

Popular Library & Information Science PG Courses in India

Following are the most popular Library & Information Science PG Courses . You can explore the top Colleges offering these PG Courses by clicking the links below.

PG Courses

Popular Library & Information Science Specializations in India

Following are the most popular Library & Information Science Specializations . You can explore the top Colleges offering these Specializations by clicking the links below.

Popular Specializations

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Student Forum

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Write here...

Answered a week ago

Yes you can apply for commerce but it is totaly different for you because in commerce you will only study on account basis 

K

Kalpana S

Answered 2 months ago

Total course fee of B Lib is INR 25,800.

M

Maaz Khan

Answered 2 months ago

Student must have completed graduation in any stream and the admission will be based on merit.

M

Maaz Khan

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