Nowadays, online master library science programs have been very popular, and we don’t blame it! With the expertise, available resources, and popularity, we would join the hype too. But what does it take to do a masters in library science online?
If you are one of the aspirants, you are in the right place. Let’s find out how you can get your library science degree online, and all the other things you need to understand!
What Is Library Science Master’s?
A master’s in library science is a graduate degree that leads students to careers in libraries, museums, archives, and other relevant areas. It primarily focuses on preserving, managing, and organizing physical and digital information resources.
This field’s core areas of study include cataloging, information technology, digital libraries, management of archives, and research methods. This degree will bring you expertise in:
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- Library management, activities, and responsibilities
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- Technologically advanced trends and policy tactics
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- Database and resource management
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- Cataloging
This course usually takes two years. The graduates can pursue careers as librarians, school librarians, archivists, information experts, catalogers, and medical librarians.
MLIS is the most ideal degree for those who are passionate about working with information. You can shine in this course with great organizational skills and the urge to share informational and educational resources with others.
Why Pursue Masters In Library Science Online?
An MLIS degree comes with numerous advantages. Since not all universities offer this degree, you might need to pursue the degree online. But the question is why would you choose this course?
Here are the key reasons why you should choose this degree!
Convenience And Flexibility
An online degree gives you the freedom to study at your favorite university from the corner of your room. This is immensely beneficial for professional individuals.
The online course will help you stick to all your commitments, family, work, and study at the same time. You’ll be able to get your dream degree regardless of where you live and your tough timetable.
Accessibility
Online programs always bring you closer to top-tier courses or degrees regardless of every other complication going on in your life. The online program will be even more beneficial for digital librarianship, foreign students, archival studies, etc. Accessibility of the MLIS degree is now in your pocket, your smartphone!
Cost-efficient
In terms of tuition fees and additional costs, online courses are more affordable. Plus, online courses cut down commuting costs, on-campus fees, and living costs (in case of living in a place particularly for the campus). Also, many institutions and universities charge less tuition fees for online courses.
Expertise In Technology
Pursuing the course online brings you closer to gaining expertise in modern library science which is one of the core fields of study of MLIS.
The online course makes dealing with digital tools and platforms more frequent and easier for you. Hence, it takes you a step closer to virtual navigation and tech-driven library tactics.
Admission Requirements For Online MLIS Programs
If you’re wondering what requirements you have to meet to enroll in an online MLIS program, we can help with the details!
Educational Prerequisites
Let us outline the basic requirements that almost every institution or university asks for:
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- Applicants must need a bachelor’s degree to apply for an MLIS degree
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- Most programs across the globe require a minimum GPA of 3.00 or even higher
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- Some programs also ask for GRE scores
Personal Statement
Applicants are asked to submit a personal statement within 1500 words. The statement should elaborate on your educational details such as background, academic perspective, and career experience that motivate you to apply for the MLIS degree in your preferred institution.
You also need to specify what expectations you hold from the program for achieving your career goals.
Resume
Your resume should specify the quality and quantity of your educational experiences. This should include the test score reports of standardized exams like GMAT, LSAT, GRE, MCAT, etc. The required score for each exam varies from institute to institute.
Additional Skills
Although your skills will be specialized in the degree, you need to form some basic skills to apply for the degree. The prerequisite degrees include basic computer literacy, communication skills, research abilities, etc.
However, the requirements for additional skills might change according to technological and circumstantial advancement or adversity.
Application Materials
A few documents or reports are mandatory and need to be attached to the application. Here you go:
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- Transcripts
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- Letters of recommendation
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- Laboratory experience
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- Test score reports
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- Transcripts translation and evaluation
Key Skills Acquired In An Online MLIS Program
A few key skills are needed to shine in an online MLIS program. Check these out:
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- Digital Literacy: Develop your skills in technological tools, especially in library technologies, digital information systems, or data analysis.
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- Information Management: Achieving expertise in managing, organizing, streamlining, and collecting information effectively.
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- Management and Leadership: Acknowledging how to interconnect teams, estimate and allocate budgets, and maintain information services.
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- Research and Analysis: Accomplishing steady research tactics, data interpretation, and critical thinking to make the right decision at the right time.
Career Opportunities In MS Library Science Online
An online MLIS program is convenient by all means. It combines standard education with the facility of remote learning. Therefore, students get to develop their skills and prepare themselves for leading in the field and shining through career opportunities here. Let us bring up a few!
Library Or Archival Careers
MLIS degree’s first and foremost purpose is to prepare you for public, school, academic, recreational, or private libraries.
You can also become an archivist to manage historical records, rare books, museum collections, and traditional or digital records. For specializing, you can opt for a professional as a cataloguer or data specialist.
Tech-driven Roles
With the degree, you can choose a career as a digital archivist or system librarian. Other key roles include managing digital resources or relevant library technologies.
Working as a digital data specialist or information manager also becomes easier with MLIS. Companies that require navigating large data systems hire MLIS graduates.
Other Sectors
To manage or organize content across industries, they hire MLIS graduates as consultants or information curators. Moreover, there are other career opportunities such as specialized librarians in healthcare, publishing sectors, or law. Educational sectors also require such graduates to assist faculty or students.
Accreditation And Its Importance In Online MLIS Programs
Accreditation is super important for ensuring the credibility and value of MLIS programs. Opting for the accredited one among many available institutes from all over the globe is vital for various reasons.
Assurance Of Value
Accreditation certifies the program to be appropriate for accomplishing standard education and profession. Therefore, the degree will provide you with a top-notch learning experience. If you want to study further, accreditation will make the degree acceptable to all institutions.
Career Advancement
Almost every organization looks for accredited MLIS degrees while recruiting individuals. Accreditation guarantees that the scholar is trained to deal with relevant circumstances and has acquired the necessary industrial and technological skills. The degree prepares you to be an expert on relevant career opportunities.
Professional Standards
Accredited programs nowadays are developed in a way that they can keep up with the evolving requirements of this field. Hence, the graduates of MLIS can easily navigate real-world challenges in library science, archives, or informational organizations. In short, accreditation eliminates the chance of non-acceptance from employers.
The American Library Association (ALA) is the leading hub that issues accreditation for MLIS programs. However, greater opportunities in academic, public, and private library or informational sectors await graduates from an accredited MLIS program.
Challenges and Considerations When Pursuing an Online MLIS Degree
A few challenges are sure to come your way while pursuing an MLIS degree online. But certainly, there are tips for every issue. Let us bring up the challenges as well as the ways to troubleshoot them.
Time Management
An online MLIS is usually pursued by professionals. Thus, they find a hard time balancing studies with work or other commitments like family. Without creating a fixed timetable, you’ll fall behind in no time.
Solution: Try to maintain a weekly timetable designed with sufficient study time. Breaking each task, chapter, or other commitment into smaller steps makes them easier to accomplish. Here you can use yet enrich your digital literacy related to the course by using digital calendars and task management apps for time management.
Tech Related Issues
Much of your online degree relies on your digital literacy or capacity to deal with technology. Besides skills, you also need a strong internet connection and all the necessary software. These turn out to be problematic for some students.
Solution: Make sure whatever device you’re using meets the online program requirements like compatibility with software and capacity for attending long classes. Always fully charge your devices before sitting for the classes. Also, try to opt for a high-speed internet.
Lack of Self-Motivation and Patience
Online programs need you to be self-motivated. Also, a large attention span is needed for sticking to the screen for longer hours. So, often scholars impatiently drop the course halfway or lose their interest or passion. In the long run, they might lag academically and professionally.
Solution: Consider setting clear goals. Follow certain practices or watch motivational videos relevant to the field to influence and prepare yourself to be patient towards the course. Being determined about your vision and career goals is super essential in this case.
Bottom Line
So, here we go about masters in library science online. Library science is an incredible degree to pursue if you are really passionate about it, and the online programs open the doors for distance learning. However, you need to be consistent with your efforts, and you can expect a good outcome from here.