The modern society is passing through the phase of information explosion. Information is available in print media such as books, periodicals, newspapers, maps etc. as well as in non-print media such as Compact Disks, phonograph records, films tapes, microforms etc. Management of various types of information is a challenge and a highly scientific task. It was the need to manage the information explosion and hence the library and information centers emerged. That was followed by the emergence of Library and Information Science. Library Science emerged as a discipline only in the end of the 19th century. With increase in micro-literature such as scientific periodicals, patents, theses etc., the new array of techniques emerged which was terms “Documentation”. Next to that, the society is facing the exponential growth of scientific literature, automation and new media of communication (such as Information Communication Technology-ICT). This brought sea change in the outlook of Librarians and Documentalists and more so in the users of information. Thus emerged “Information Science” where “Information” is at the center.  We can depict the phase of Library & information science” as follows:

*Books                                                                        -           Library Science

*Documents (Books+Mirco-literatures)                         -          Documentation

*Informations                                                   -           Information Science

(Documents +Non-Print Media+Automation +ICT, etc)                                                –

 Library and Information Centers are repositories of knowledge and information and entertainment. They contain books, periodicals, microfilms, CDs i.e. print and non-print media for education, research and entertainment etc. Those who scientifically and systematically organize and disseminate these information sources through vivid processes such as acquisition, cataloguing, classification, reference works and dissemination of information etc., are called ‘Librarians/Information Managers’. This profession is among top ten most coveted professions in developed countries [(http://www.competitionmaster.com) - careers in Library Science, p.1]

 Library and Information Science deals with all kinds of aspects related to Library and Information Centers with a motive to link the information seekers with the required information through various Library and Information operations.

 OBJECTIVE OF LIS Programme

Ø         To provide the students knowledge about basic principles and                        fundamentals of LIS;

Ø         To train the learners about various methodology and techniques of librarianship and information handling;

Ø         To make students understand the purpose and function of the Library/Information center in the changing scenario of the society;

Ø         To acquaint the learners of the application of different management techniques in managing the Information systems and services;

Ø         To familiarize the students with fundamentals and methodology of planning, designing and developing the Library and Information centers and their services at local, national, regional and global level;

Ø         To make the students aware of application of Information Technology/ICT to LIS;

Ø         To familiarize the learners about the basic knowledge of the quantitative and qualitative techniques in LIS such as statistical methods, quality management, Informetrics and Scientometrics etc.

Ø         To provide the students the basic knowledge of preservation and maintenance of the collections in Library/Information Centres, technical writings etc.

  PROGRAMMES IN LIS

SCHOOL OF LIS

The different programmes, in LIS given in bracket [ ] are available  in the following  University/Institutes(The list includes some prominent schools) :-

Ø         Andhra University, Visakhapatnam- 530 003 [MLISc, Mphil, Ph.D}]

Ø         Osamania University, Hyderabad- 500007 (www.osamiauniversity.ac.in)

Ø         Sri Krishnadevaraya University, Ananthapur- 515003 [MLISc, M Phil, Ph.D]

Ø         Sri Venkateshwaraa University, Tirupati- 517502. [MLISc, M Phil, Ph.D]

Ø         Gauhati University, Guwahati- 787014 (www.gu.ac.in) [MLISc, Ph.D] 

Ø         Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra, Ranchi- 835215 (www.bitmesra.ac.in)[MSc (Information Sc), Ph.D (Information Sc)

Ø         Lalit Narayan Mithila Univesity, Darbhanga- 846004 [BLISc]

Ø         Patna Unversity, Patna- 800005 (www.puonline.bih.nic.in)   [CLISc,   BLISc, MLISc(proposed)]

Ø         Tilka Manjhi Bhagalpur University, Bhagalpur- 812007 [BLISc, MLSc, Ph.D]

Ø         Guru Ghasidas University, Bilaspur- 495001(www.gguniversity.nic.in) [MLISc, Ph.D]

Ø         Pt. Ravi Shankar Shukla University, Raipur- 492010 [BLISc,MLISc,Ph.D]

Ø         National Institute of Science communication & Information Rersoureces (NISCAIR- formerly INSDOC), Dr.  K.S. Krishna Marg, Near pusa gate, New Delhi- 110012 (CSIR) [AIS,shorterm course: IT for Inf. Management, Lib. Automation and Resource sharing, Recent trends in LIS patent Drafiting and WINISIS (www.niscair.res.in)

Ø         University of Delhi, Tutorial Building, Delhi- 110007 (www.du.ac.in)[BLISs,MLISc,Mphil,Ph.D]

Ø         IGNOU, Maidan Garhi, New Delhi- 110068 (www.ignou.ac.in) [BLISc,MLISc,Ph.D, PGDLAN,)

Ø         Gujarat Vidyapith Library, Ashram Road, Amhedabad- 380014 [BLISc, MLISc. M Phil, Ph.D]

Ø         M S University of Baroda, Vadodara- 390002 (www.msubaroda.ac.in) [BLISc, MLISc]

Ø         Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra- 132119 (www.kukinfo.com) [BLISc, MLISc, Ph.D].

Ø         University of Jammu, Baba Sahib Ambedkar Road, campusJammu- 180006 [BLISc, MLISc, Ph.D]

Ø         Documentation Research and Training Center (DRTC), Indian Statistical Institute, 8th Mile, Mysore Road, Bangalore- 560005 [ADIS] (www.drtc.isibang.ac.in)

Ø         Gulbarga Universtiy, Jnana Ganga, Gulbarga- 585106 (www. Bangaloreuniversity.net)[MLISc,M.Phil., Ph.D]

Ø         Karnataka Universty, Pavate Nagar, Dharwad- 580003 (www. Kud.ernet.in) [MLISc, Ph.D]s

Ø         University of Kerala ,Tiruvanthpuram- 673632 [BLISc, MLISc, Mphil, Ph.D]

Ø         Barkatullah Vishwavidyalaya, Bhopal- 462026 (www.bubhopal.nic.in) [BLISc, MLISc]

Ø         Dr. Harishingh Gaur Vishwavidyalaya, sagar- 470003 (www.sagaruniversity.nic.in) [BLISc, MLISc, Ph.D)

Ø         Jiwaji University, Central Library, Gwalior- 474001 [BLISc, MLISc, Ph.D]

Ø         Makhanlal Chaturvedi National University Institute of Journalism, E8, Trilanga, Bhopal- 462016 (www.mcu.ac.in) [BLISc, MLISc, Ph.D, BLIT, PGDLA]

Ø         .Nagpur University, Library Building, ramdaspeth, North Ambazari Maarg, Nagpur- 440010 [BLISc, MLISc, Ph.D]

Ø         University of Pune, Jayakar Library, Ganeshkhind, pune 411007 [MLISc Mphil, Ph.D]                                                                                                     .     

Ø         Manipur University, Canchipur, Imphal- 795003 [BLISc]

Ø         North Eastern Hill University, Shilong-793002 (www.nehu.ac.in) [MLISc, Ph.D]

Ø         .Sambalpur University, Jyoti Vihar, Burla, Sambalpur-768019[BLISc , MLISc, M.Phil, Ph.D]

Ø         Guru Nanak University, Amritsar,-143005 (www.gndusite.com) [BLISc , MLISc, Ph.D]

Ø         Punjabi University, Patiala-147002(www.universitypunjabi.org)  [DLSc, BLISc , MLISc, Ph.D]

Ø         University of Rajasthan, Jaipur [BLISc and Documentation, MLISc and Documentation, Ph.D]

Ø         Annamalai University, Annamalai Nagar-608002 [MLISc, M.Phil, Ph.D]

Ø         University of Madras, Chennai-600005 (www.unom.ac.in) [MLISc, Ph.D]

Ø         Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh-202002 [ BLISc , MLISc, M.Phil]

Ø         B.H.U, Varanasi-221005 (www.bhu.ac.in) [BLISc, MLISc, Ph.D]

Ø         Bundelkhand University, Jhansi- 284128 (www.bundelkhanduniverstiy.net) [BLISc, MLISc,Ph.D]

Ø         University of Lucknow, Lucknow-226007, [BLISc, MLISc, Ph.D, Short Term course in Library Computerization]     

Ø         University of Burdwan, Burdwan-713104 ) [BLISc, MLISc, Ph.D]

Ø         University of Calcutta, Kolkata-700073 {www.caluniv.ac.in) ) [BLISc, MLISc, Ph.D]

Ø         Jadavpur University, Kolkata-700032 (www.jadavpur.edu) ) [BLISc, MLISc, Ph.D]                                                                                                   

JOB OPPURTUNITIES IN LIS  

Today there are bright career prospects in Library and information Science. The qualified professionals are employed in vivid libraries and Information Centers. The job opportunities in LIS can be depicted in the following sectors:

      I. ACEDEMIC LIBRARY SECTOR:

The librarians and information professionals are needed for various academic libraries, which are established in order to satisfy the informational needs of the parent bodies. Academic libraries/Information centers include School libraries, College Libraries, University Libraries, Institutional Libraries/Information centers etc. Here it is remarkable that CBSE affiliated Schools have an organized Library, hence a librarian. As per UGC norms, Colleges and universities must have a good library.

II. SPECIAL LIBRARY SECTOR

Various Technical institutes have special libraries/Information centers which include Engineering Colleges, Medical Colleges, Management Colleges, Specialized Institutes/Organizations such as council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Industrial Companies like Steel Authority of India Ltd. (SAIL) etc. There is vast scope of career for qualified library/Information Professionals in these libraries/information centers.

 III. PUBLIC LIBRARY SECTOR

            There is large network of public libraries at Administrative levels of governments such as Villages, Panchayats, block, District Commissionery and State etc. In India we have a large number of Public Libraries as shown in the following table:

 Penetration of Public Libraries in India

Demography of India    Number            Public Libraries Number            % Covered

State & Uts      35        State Central Libraries  28        80%

Districts            592      District Libraries           451      76%

Talukas#          3987    Taluka Libraries            501      12.5%

Villages # #      5,87,226          Rural Libraries  28,820 4.9%

 (Source:# census of India, 1991, ## Ghosh 2005)

Some NGOs are also running various public libraries.

            Thus it is clear that there are great job opportunities, for Library/ Information professionals in the public library sector in India.

 IV. CORPORATE SECTOR: Specially big companies maintain Libraries/Information Centers for their informational needs.  These companies employ qualified professionals as Information Scientists, Information managers, Database managers, Resource Managers, Knowledge worker,, Library supervisor, Librarians etc.

            There is good news that recently the National Knowledge commission of India has recommended the formation of the National Library commission to strengthen the library networks in India.  Thus the scope of librarianship becomes brighter.

            With the information revolution, qualified Library/Information professionals are diversifying to several new growth areas such as database management, reference tool development, training of database users, systems analysis especially relating to computer work, documentation works, bibliographical works and Organisation & management of information units. Entrepreneurial Librarians/Information professionals also start their own consulting practices, acting as freelance Librarians or information brokers and providing services to other libraries, businesses or government agencies.

            Conclusively today career in LIS is multidimensional, ever growing and bright which is significantly enriching the knowledge base of the society for prosperity and progress. 

*Assistant University Librarian,(Central Library, Ranchi University),Qr.No.25/10, Ranchi University Colony, Bariatu, Ranchi-834009.(Email:uskk_17@yahoo.co.in)

**Staff & Part Time Counsellor, IGNOU Regional Centre, Ranchi –834002

(Email:bkdasignou@indiatimes.com)