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Earn a Master's in Library Science Degree
Library Science is an interdisciplinary science which incorporates the study of library management, as well as the collection, organization, preservation and dissemination of information resources. Students pursuing a master's in Library Science typically learn how to select and organize library materials and information collections for various types of libraries, information centers and archives. Professors also train students in the latest research methods and data-gathering techniques. Those holding a master's in Library Science may pursue careers as school librarians, law librarians, traditional librarians, database specialists, digital information managers, health informatics specialists or systems analysts. Although a few schools offer a Master of Science (MS) in Library Science, the majority of students pursue a Master of Library Science (MLS).
Typical Curriculum for a Master's in Library Science
The Masters degree in Library Science (abbreviated MLS) prepares graduates for professional careers in libraries and agencies involved in acquiring large amounts of information. Learn more about the MLS degree here:
What is a Master's Degree in Library Science?
A master's degree in Library Science will prepare students for a wide variety of careers in a traditional library setting and also makes graduates eligible to work for organizations that require information management skills. In recent years, the emphasis of the master's degree in Library Science has shifted towards the technological. Advancements in how information is obtained and secured have required the MLS student to study databases and information architecture. As a result, this has broadened the range of possible career choices for a MLS student. Some of these careers now include database specialists, webmasters and web developers, systems analysts and local area network (LAN) coordinators.
Required Courses
The master's degree in Library Science is a flexible degree designed to accommodate many information science careers, and the coursework largely depends on the field of specialization a MLS student chooses. However, a MLS student may expect to take core courses in the theory and the practice of library science. Here are some courses a master's degree in Library Science student may be expected to complete:
Skills Obtained
MLS students can expect to obtain a broad range of skills necessary to effectively manage information centers. Here are some examples of these skills:
Master's Degree in Library Science Career Related Information
Reasons for Earning a Master's Degree in Library Science
The demand for information specialists in areas other than the traditional library setting is growing fast. An MLS graduate will have the ability to analyze and to organize large amounts of information, and this skill is very much in demand for companies whose business depends on how quickly information can be accessed and effectively stored.
Salary Information
Because of the wide range of career choices available to a graduate of a master's degree in Library Science, annual salaries vary. For a traditional librarian the annual median salary is $47,830 at colleges and universities. An elementary or secondary school librarian will earn an annual salary of about $47,580. In the private sector, the annual salaries are much higher. For example, a database administrator can earn $60,650 per year. In addition, for MLS graduates who specialized in computer systems design and services, the annual salary is $63,910.
Economic Outlook and Growth of the Library Science Industry
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, www.bls.gov, job growth for librarians is expected to grow at a slower than average rate for all occupations. The upside is that three of five current librarians are over 45 and should be eligible for retirement within the coming decade. However, for information management careers in the private sector, the future looks bright. Jobs in this industry expect much faster than average growth.