Library Science Courses: D.Lib, B.Lib, Career & Admission

Library & Information Science

If you're interested in admission to Library Science courses like D.Lib and B.Lib, fill out the form below.

Library Science courses, particularly D.Lib and B.Lib, are among the best job-providing courses available today. Librarianship as a profession offers diverse employment opportunities. The field of library and information science presents many career possibilities. Qualified individuals find employment in various libraries and information centers. Trained professionals can secure jobs as both teachers and librarians. In fact, you can choose the nature of library work based on your interests and background.

Librarianship may include designations such as Librarian, Documentation Officer, Assistant Librarian, Vice Librarian, Scientist (Library Science/Documentation), Library and Information Officer, Knowledge Manager/Officer, Information Executive, Director/Information Service President, Information Officer, and Information Analyst.

Job opportunities exist in:

Schools, Colleges & Universities
Central government libraries
Training centers of banks
National museums and archives
Non-governmental organizations across different sectors
Research and development centers like ICAR, CSIR, DRDO, ICSR, ICHH, IC
Foreign embassies and high commissions
International centers such as the World Health Organization, UNESCO, United Nations, World Bank
Libraries of ministries and other government departments
National-level documentation centers
Library networks
Newspaper libraries
News channels
Radio station libraries
Publishing companies preparing indexes, abstracts, and references
Information provider organizations
Various digital library projects like the Digital Library of India
Training academies

Role of Librarian

The role of libraries in providing broad and specialized knowledge is widely accepted. Today, libraries must play two specific roles. First, they act as local centers of information and knowledge. Second, they serve as centers of national and global knowledge.

Some matters under consideration by the National Commission include:

The institutional framework of library networking
Modernization and computerization of education, training, and research libraries
Maintenance of private and personal collections
Staff requirements to meet changing needs

The commission has recommended establishing a National Library Commission to strengthen India's library network. The Culture Department has proposed setting up a National Library Mission (NML) as a Central Sector Scheme. NML, under the Department of Culture, will include libraries with functions such as:

Establishment of a National Library Census
Networking of libraries under the Department of Culture
Modernization, knowledge centers, and digital libraries

Recently, under the National Library Mission, there's a proposal to set up 7,000 libraries with internet-enabled computers across the country. It was recommended that initial recruitment at the Library and Information Assistant level should be done directly. For this, the expected qualification will be a graduate degree and a B.L.I.Sc. degree. Thus, opportunities in librarianship are bright.

A career in Library and Information Science (LIS) is multi-dimensional, promising, and contributes to the prosperity and progress of society through knowledge enrichment.

Available Library Science Courses

Certificate in Library and Information Science (CLISC or C.Lib) Eligibility: 10+2 in any discipline.
Diploma Courses in Library and Information Science (DLISC or D.Lib) Eligibility: 10+2 in any discipline.
Bachelor in Library and Information Science (BLISC or B.Lib.) Eligibility: Graduation in any subject from a recognized university.
Master in Library and Informatics (MLISC or M.Lib.) Eligibility: B.L.I.Sc. or B.Lib from a recognized university.
M.Phil in Library and Information Science Eligibility: M.L.I.Sc. from a recognized university or M.Lib.
Ph.D. in Library and Information Science Eligibility: M.L.I.S. from a recognized university.

Course names and qualification marks may vary across universities. Previously called library science, the field has expanded to include information science. Some universities have added "information science" to their curriculum names while retaining "library." Thus, degrees offered include Bachelor of Library and Information Sciences (BLISC), Master of Library and Information Sciences (MLISC), M.Phil in Library and Information Science, and Ph.D. in Library and Information Science. Other universities offer Bachelor in Library Science (B.Lib), Master in Library Science (M.Lib.), M.Phil in Library Science, and Ph.D. in Library.

Computers and Information Technology are now widely used in libraries and information centers for preparing, storing, modifying, and disseminating information.

The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), New Delhi, conducts a two-year Associateship (AIS) program in Information Science and Documentation at the Documentation Research and Training Center (DRTC). The Indian Statistical Institute (Bangalore) also runs an Associateship (ADES) in Information Science. Both awards are recognized as equivalent to an M.L.I.Sc. degree and have a good reputation in the employment market.

Considering the increasing use of computer and information technology in libraries, many Indian universities have started various courses emphasizing these areas.

Universities Offering Courses in Libraries and Information Sciences

About 80 university departments run LIS courses. These courses are also available through distance education. Two Sanskrit universities-K.S. Darbhanga Sanskrit University (Bihar) and Sampurananda Sanskrit University (Varanasi)-run library science scholarly (9 months) and library science scholar (one year) courses, respectively. Knowledge of Sanskrit is compulsory.

LIS courses are available at the following universities/institutions:

Algappa University, Karaikudi
Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh
Allahabad University
Annamalai University, Annalanagar
Avdesh Pratap Singh University, Rewa
Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Lucknow
Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi

(Get Complete List)

National Library of India

The National Library of India is located in Calcutta. Its history began with the Calcutta Public Library, opened in 1835. In 1891, Lord Curzon founded the Imperial Library, which merged with the Calcutta Public Library in 1902. It opened for public use on January 30, 1903, and was later designated the National Library.

Under the Delivery of Book Act of 1954, every publisher must send one copy of each book to the National Library, the Connemara Public Library in Madras, and the Asiatic Society Library in Bombay. The National Library holds over twenty million books.

Benefits of Becoming a Librarian

You work in a clean, quiet environment.
You spend time in a peaceful atmosphere.
You have access to a store of knowledge and can explore subjects of personal interest for free.
A librarian is constantly surrounded by educated individuals and new ideas, benefiting from intellectual stimulation.
Libraries can host good conferences.
The library provides an atmosphere conducive to study, introspection, meditation, and peace of mind.
You can stay updated with the latest information.

Salaries in Library & Information Science Jobs

Salaries in library and information science jobs vary depending on the organization. Many colleges and universities have implemented revised pay scales for library staff. Major central government establishments like the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO), Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), and Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) offer good salaries. Opportunities for advancement based on periodic performance evaluations make this career attractive. Those with strong educational records and adequate skills in computer and information technology can build rewarding careers in this field.