Libraries and librarianship is the field dedicated to the organisation and management of library services. Librarians play a crucial role in acquiring, cataloging and maintaining library collections and helping patrons find relevant resources.
A master's degree in libraries and librarianship in the UK is designed for students who wish to build their organisational skills to the point where they can manage significant archives and library collections, or explore a specialism within the profession.
The UK offers over ten master's programmes in this discipline, catering to candidates with undergraduate degrees in humanities, social sciences or related disciplines. They emphasise the development of advanced skills in information management, digital literacy and user services, meeting the standards set by the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP).
What to Expect
Student can expect a highly organisational education, involving extensive cataloging and classification strategies, information retrieval, digital librarianship and user engagement. The programme blends theoretical coursework with practical experiences, including internships in library and information centre environments.
Assessment involves academic essays, project work and hands-on assessments. A significant part of the programme is the dissertation or capstone project, which enables students to conduct research or undertake a practical project in an area of their choosing within librarianship. Graduates find opportunities in academic and public libraries, corporate information centres and digital archives. They are equipped to manage library services, curate digital collections, formulate information policies and lead initiatives in information literacy.