’)Whenever someone mentions the words” library science,” you may envision the kind lady behind the counter who checked out your books in elementary school. In reality, however, librarians do much more than check out books and keep silent order in the library. A degree in library science is a degree in research methods and information organization. If you’re interested in having a lot of career choices after graduation, consider earning a library science degree online.
Typical Courses in a Library Science Degree Program
Library science focuses on the process of cataloguing information and research methods, as well as digital delivery of information. Here is just a sample of the key concepts in a library science college curriculum:
Foundations of Library and Information Science
Reference Tools
Classification
Cataloguing
Indexing
Referencing
Intellectual Freedom and Censorship
Library Administration
Research
Some students choose to focus on specialty areas. For instance, graduates who want to work in a museum may take additional coursework in art history. If you want to broaden your career opportunities, a strong background in foreign languages is beneficial. Librarians must also keep pace with changes in internet and digital technologies.
Career Opportunities in Library and Information Sciences
Graduates in this program have an array of career opportunities available to them. Here is a sampling of the job opportunities you can pursue with a library science degree:
School Libraries
Public Libraries
Colleges and Universities
Bookmobiles
Central Libraries
Nonprofit Organizations
Hospitals
Medical Schools
Law Offices
Motion Picture Studios
Museums
Television Stations
Corporations
Government—Local, State, Federal
Research Labs
Historical Societies
Law Schools
Bar Associations
Wages for Graduates with Degrees in Library Science
According to the 2010-11 edition of the Occupational Outlook Handbook, here are some average salaries for employees in this field:
Junior Colleges – $55,250
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools – $55,180
Elementary and Secondary Schools – $54,650
Other Information Services – $48,060
Local Government – $47,940
Of course, wages can be much lower or much higher, depending on the industry. In March 2009, the average salary for all librarians working for the federal government was $84,796.
Because graduates can earn bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, and PhDs in library science, there is a large margin in the potential salaries for this career. The wide array of employment opportunities available also means there is no such thing as a “typical” employer of graduates in this field. For instance, many graduates are hired as information consultants, earning more than six figures annually. On the other hand, librarians working in small, branch libraries may earn much less than the average figures depicted above.
Are You a Good Candidate for a Degree in Library Science?
If you have great communication and problem-solving skills, this career path may be the right path for you. Keep in mind that students in library science programs must often take classes in web design, so a solid background in technology is a real plus in this field.
If you’re interested in a library science degree, your best bet is to conduct some research on your own. Since the possibilities for graduates extend beyond the brick and mortar walls of traditional libraries, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn all the possibilities that await graduates in this degree program.
