Master of Library and Information Science

Not to be confused with Master of Liberal Studies.

The Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) is the master's degree that combines two interdisciplinary academic disciplines. Library science is applied information science and a subfield of information science. This degree focuses on information management. It is also the most common degree for professional librarian positions in the United States. The MLIS was created after the older Master of Library Science (MLS) was reformed to reflect the information science and technology needs of the field. According to the American Library Association (ALA), "ALA-accredited degrees have [had] various names such as Master of Information Studies, Master of Arts, Master of Librarianship, Master of Library and Information Studies, or Master of Science. The degree name has been determined by the program. The [ALA] Committee for Accreditation evaluates programs based on their adherence to the Standards for Accreditation of Master's Programs in Library and Information Science, not based on the name of the degree."[1]

Admission to MLIS, programs normally require holding a bachelor's degree in any academic discipline and library schools encourage applications from people with diverse academic backgrounds.

In the United Kingdom, it is more common for a vocational degree in library and information science to bear the standard designation MA or MSc. In most Commonwealth universities, bachelor's and master's programs have been merged to create the MLIS/MLISc degree. IFLA committees have discussed global standards for librarian credentials.[2]

In Canada, ALA-accredited schools of library and information science sometimes grant MI (Master of Information) degrees,[3][4] though some institutions retain the designation "MLIS"[5] or "MISt".[6] However, regardless of the name of the degree conferred, virtually every school of library and information studies in Canada comprises programming for library science, information science, archives, and museum studies.[7]

  1. ^ American Library Association (2006-08-03). "Accreditation Frequently Asked Questions". Retrieved 2016-08-30.
  2. ^ Woody Evans (2016-04-01). "Backtalk: Librarians Need Global Credentials". Library Journal.
  3. ^ "Master of Information". University of Toronto Faculty of Information. Faculty of Information (iSchool) | University of Toronto. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
  4. ^ "Master of Information (MI)". Dalhousie University. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
  5. ^ "Master of Library and Information Studies". UBC School of Information. University of British Columbia. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
  6. ^ "Master of Information Studies". McGill University | School of Information Studies. McGill University. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
  7. ^ "Library Schools". Canadian Library Association. Retrieved 19 May 2021.