What is M.Lib.Sc.: Full Form, Course Duration, Admission 2025, Colleges, Salary & Scope

Library science is an interdisciplinary field that involves the study of principles and practices of library administration. The major disciplines that are associated with library science include education, management, and information technology. The Master of Library Science course is offered as a full-time or part-time (distance learning) programme at various universities and colleges in India. The course serves as a foundation for candidates who wish to build their careers in the field of research or teaching.

However, the course also offers lucrative employment opportunities to candidates who wish to pursue jobs. Admissions to MLibSc courses are done mainly based on entrance exams conducted at the university/ college level. However, some institutions also provide direct admission to candidates based on merit determined through candidates' marks scored in the qualifying exam.  

The M.Lib.Sc course full form is Master of Library Science course. It is a 1-2 year degree that is pursued by students after they have completed their undergraduate degree. M.Lib.Sc courses offer specialised knowledge in the study of library Science and the processes, and administration of public libraries.

M Lib Sc is a one-year master's degree, unlike other master's degrees that are of 2-year duration in India. Though, some foreign universities may offer the course with a duration of 2 years.

M.Lib.Sc courses are pursued by students who are passionate about working in a library or in a field that requires maintenance and upkeep of data, information, and records. Master of Library Science graduates are educated about skills like information literacy and can help people locate, assess, and use information efficiently. In our digital time and age, where information overload is a problem, this talent is becoming more and more valuable.

There are various advantages of studying M.Lib.Sc courses, because, a  Master of Library Science is a demanding degree for several librarian roles in libraries, including public libraries, academic libraries, school libraries, and special libraries. A high level of skill in library Science is demonstrated by this professional certification.

Master of Library Science programme, graduates frequently discover that their skills and knowledge of keeping records and maintaining information can be transferred to many other fields, such as information management, knowledge organization, and information retrieval. They can also work in the field of maintaining archives. This creates a wide range of job opportunities outside of the traditional role of librarians.

To acquire the knowledge and abilities required for managing library resources, offering information services, and organising and protecting information, librarians usually need a master's degree in library science.

To effectively serve library clients and satisfy the different requirements of the community, this advanced degree offers instruction in areas like collection development, cataloguing, reference services, information technology, and library management. Furthermore, a master's degree in the relevant discipline is often required for professional staff members at libraries and information centres.

Yes, you can pursue Master of Library Science course after completing BSc course. Many candidates, who wish to change their field and explore a career in the field of Library Sciences, can pursue the course.

Yes, you can apply for the MLibSc or Master of Library Science course after completing BA. As per the minimum eleigibility criteria you should be a gradute to apply for the course. Make sure that you have scored at least 50% in your graduation.

No, it is not always mandatory to do B.Lib.Sc course before a M.Lib.Sc. Many universities accept candidates from any bachelor’s degree discipline, but some prioritize those students who have a B.Lib.Sc or equivalent background.
Not having a B.Lib.Sc does not impact the master’s study since many programs include introductory courses in M.Lib.Sc to help students who do have library Science background to speed up the progress.

Students who are preparing for CUET PG 2026 can download the CUET PG syllabus 2026 pdf by visiting the website of or can check out in this Shiksha page.

Due to the high value of books and artefacts both domestically and abroad, the investment is definitely worthwhile. Your passion for and commitment to your profession will ultimately have a big impact on how happy you are and how successful you are in your job. If library science is truly your passion, earning an MLibSc may be more fulfilling.

If you truly love information, libraries, and knowledge management, an MLibSc programme can provide you with the skills and knowledge you need to continuously learning and adjusting to new technologies and trends.

No, to become a librarian, especially at the entry-level positions, a Bachelor of Library Science (B.Lib.Sc) degree is also sufficient. This will help you get a job as a librarian in schools, public libraries, etc. But an important point to note is that many universities, research institutions, and specialised libraries always give preference to candidates who hold M.Lib.Sc for advanced roles as this course equips them with specialised skills and knowledge.

Hi!

The M.Lib.Sc courses and M.Lib.I.Sc courses are actually quite similar. While the M.Lib.Sc full form is Master of Library Science, the M.Lib.I.Sc full form is Master of Library and Information Science. The syllabus and teaching patterns are quite similar, but an M.Lib.I.Sc course is more diverse in the education of information and resource management, and retrieval, which can apply to many fields, while an M.Lib.Sc course is focused on equipping students with the necessary skills to run a library. Both M.Lib.Sc and M.Lib.I.Sc courses are great for students who want to work in a field that helps them develop skills that can be used to arrange and manage physical/digital records.

Hope this helps you! 

M.Lib.Sc courses are pursued by students who are passionate about working in a library or in a field that requires maintenance and upkeep of data, information, and records. Master of Library Science graduates are educated about skills like information literacy and can help people locate, assess, and use information efficiently. In our digital time and age, where information overload is a problem, this talent is becoming more and more valuable.

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

The course can also be pursued by government colleges. Students can have a look at the table below to know the renowned institutes and their fees.

Candidates with a MLibSc degree can secure jobs at different places such as libraries (public or private), news agencies, embassies, photo/ film libraries, information/ documentation centers, information handling divisions, museums and so on. Some of the popular job profiles for candidates who have successfully completed MLibSc course include:

• Library Director: A library director is a professional who checks books in and out for customers along with performing some other administrative duties that lead to smooth running of the library.
• Information Architect: An information architect is responsible for ensuring the user-friendly design of websites and other software applications in a library. 
• Library Assistant: A library assistant compiles records, sorts and shelves books, and issues and receives library materials such as pictures and card. The assistant also locates library material and replaces it in shelves, stacks, or files. 
• Library Science Teacher: A library science teacher imparts library science education to school students. The teacher also prepares different course materials such as syllabus and homework assignments for students.
• Indexer: An indexer works with a variety of documents such as books, periodicals, and manuscripts to review them and compile indexes to make information searches easier.
• Cataloguer: A cataloguer is a trained professional who manages the catalog of different materials at a library. The professional prepares bibliographic records for library material like journals and monographs.

The starting salary of a librarian in India is between INR 2.5 to  INR 4.5 LPA. Entry-level positions mostly open up in small public libraries, schools, or private institutions which is approximately INR 2.5 LPA, whereas if you qualify for a master’s degree, you can grab positions in larger universities, colleges, and government institutions.

M.Lib.Sc graduates and experience in digital and information management can bag higher salary, especially in specialised or senior roles.

Librarians are experienced and qualified individuals who organise, maintain and distribute library resources (books, magazines, journals, digital recordings and so on) to customers. Librarians are in charge of the library's inventory, as well as classifying materials and conducting frequent audits.