Library and information science

I am a B.Com. student interested in pursuing higher studies in library science. Kindly let me know about the higher study facilities in this discipline and related career prospects. Graduates in any discipline can do higher studies in library and information science, opting for the one-year degree course or the two-year integrated Master's programme. Most universities in India offer these courses. The usual BLISc course content includes library classification, library and science, library management, cataloguing, information sources, information systems and services, and the basics of information technology. After taking the BLISc degree, students can do the one-year MLISc course. Graduates in other disciplines with at least 50 per cent marks can pursue the two-year, four-semester integrated programme. Many universities in South India have introduced the integrated course. Some universities also conduct the one-year programme for those with a BLISc degree. Those with an MLISc degree can do M.Phil. and Ph.D. courses. Study facilities In Kerala, the Department of Library and Information Science of the University of Kerala conducts the integrated Master's programme. Graduates with at least 50 per cent marks can apply for admission. Applicants will have to clear a two-hour entrance test carrying 100 marks aimed at testing general knowledge and aptitude for librarianship. The minimum marks required to clear the test is 40. The 20 seats are equally allocated among science, arts, and commerce graduates. The course content includes information knowledge and communication, library and society, library management, information sources, organisation of knowledge, information technology, information processing and retrieval, information systems, research and methodology, bibliometrics, information technology applications in libraries and information system management. Students will have to submit a dissertation and attend a viva-voce. The course helps them understand and appreciate the place and functions of libraries and information centres in a changing social and educational environment. The department also offers a one-year self-financing MLISc part-time evening programme. Those who have passed the BLISc course with at least 50 per cent marks may apply for admission. Students can choose from the following options — science information systems; agriculture information systems; social science information systems; health information systems; industrial information systems; academic library systems; and public library systems. An M.Phil. course is also conducted at the department for those with an MLISc degree with at least 55 per cent marks. Selection is based on the marks and an interview. The department admits students with the same qualification to the Ph.D. course if they have cleared the National Eligibility Test conducted by the University Grants Commission. For details, visit www.dliskerala.org. The department is housed in the University Library Buildings at Palayam in Thiruvananthapuram. The School of Communication and Information Science of Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam, offers the BLISc and the MLISc courses. The one-year, two-semester MLISc course is conducted on a self-financing basis. The Department of Library Science under SB College, Changanassery, affiliated to Mahatma Gandhi University, conducts the BLISc (30 seats) and the MLISc (30) courses. Admission to the MLISc course is open to graduates in library and information science with at least 50 per cent marks. For details, visit www.sbcollege.org The Department of Library and Information Science of the University of Calicut offers a two-year integrated MLISc course. Graduates in any discipline may apply. The department also conducts M.Phil. and Ph.D. programmes. Graduates in any discipline with at least 50 per cent marks may do the MLISc course. The department is located on the university campus at Tenhipalam in Malappuram district. Majilis Arts and Science College at Valancherry in Malappuram conducts the BLISc and the integrated MLISc programmes.