In today’s data-rich world, organizing information and conducting research is interwoven into numerous careers, including library science.
While those who pursue a degree in library management and information science can expect to land positions as librarians, there are plenty of versatile, more unexpected job opportunities, including database specialists, digital asset managers and more.
Plus, the industry continues to expand and diversify: Employment is expected to grow by 3 percent in the next decade, and in 2023, the median salary exceeded $64,000, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
To develop a deeper understanding of library and information science and the career paths offered in the field, we spoke with multiple professors from the Master of Management in Library and Information Science (MMLIS) online program at USC Bovard College.
What is Library Science?
What exactly does it mean to study library science? It might not be the traditional image students have in mind, said Melissa Miller, professor and head of the USC Libraries Hoose Philosophy Library.
For the average person, it’s not immediately obvious that you often need a master’s degree to become a librarian, Miller said.
“I think when you use the word library, it very much evokes a memory from everyone’s childhood of this … person who’s mean and shushing everyone and … just sitting there stamping books behind the desk,” Miller said.
In reality, librarians’ work deals heavily with information science, Miller explained. It includes gathering, classifying and preserving knowledge, as well as helping others access and understand that knowledge.
Although libraries are an obvious choice, a master’s degree in library science will also enable students to find opportunities at academic institutions, corporations, entertainment studios and a wide array of information centers.
What Can You Expect from the Master of Management in Library and Information Science Program at USC?
To get a job in most library and information science spheres, a master’s in library and information science degree is required. The online MMLIS, an American Library Association-accredited program from USC Bovard College, is an excellent option to consider.
The program was part of USC Marshall School of Business since its inception before relocating to USC Bovard College this year. Along with the move came several changes to the format and structure — most notably, students can now complete the program in just one year with 36 credits.
The curriculum also received a refresh, with a greater emphasis on “the impact of technology on life and on libraries,” said Ruth Wallach, who is the academic director of the MMLIS online program and associate dean of the Social Sciences and Humanities Library Division of USC Libraries.
Miller noted that it is exciting to see how the program has adapted to changing student and faculty needs, especially since 2020.
“I think it is a great change for us because it really aligns with continuing education and the type of professional education that is important for a library and information science career,” said Renee Di Pilato, a professor at USC Bovard College.
But the goals of the program remain largely the same. Students become experts in information science, gain important leadership skills and learn how to evolve and adapt with changing technology in libraries.
The updated MMLIS curriculum includes courses about user-centered collection development, social science research methods applicable to library and information science, archives and digital curation and more. The program ensures students not only learn theory but also receive practical, hands-on experience and personalized career guidance from the program’s dedicated student adviser.
“What I love about our program is that it incorporates the management and leadership components that I had to go to an entirely different program to obtain when I was in grad school,” Di Pilato said. “It will prepare our students for managerial careers in library and information science, but it’s really practical education for anyone.”
What Careers Can You Get with a Master’s Degree in Library Science?
There are many traditional job opportunities you can obtain with an MMLIS degree. Graduates are equipped to work in public, academic and private libraries, as well as museums and government agencies.
But “librarian” is far from the only possible job title.
“As a profession, we change. Professions are living organisms,” Wallach said. “So, there are the more traditional careers … but there are careers in the corporate environment where corporations have realized that [librarians] bring skills that others … don’t necessarily have.”
Some graduates opt to become digital archivists, someone who creates, collects, stores and organizes digital data. Others seek to become competitive intelligence analysts, a role centered on monitoring and reporting industry and technical developments to predict how businesses’ competitors will behave. Still others pursue positions as knowledge management specialists, a profession that leads others in the use of traditional and digital approaches.
Additional positions include digital asset manager, metadata librarian and, of course, a professor in library sciences.
What is the Future of Library Science?
Anyone who has ever downloaded a book to their smartphone knows that the world of libraries and books is evolving. Does that mean it’s a shaky field to enter?
The answer, said Di Pilato, Miller and Wallach, is a resounding “no.” After all, the preservation and sharing of knowledge and information will always be crucial.
Consider how public libraries have adapted: Many now offer a digital app so you can rent e-books just as easily as physical copies. Book club options and top picks still exist, but instead of being displayed in the front of the library, they are categories in an app. Archives are also digitized to be easily accessible from around the globe.
“I know the job market is great for librarians,” Di Pilato said. “Plus, the degree is so versatile, and it really enables people to work in so many different fields, so I think there are always positions open. I think it’s a wonderful field of study.”
Ultimately, it’s a field worth considering if you love books, enjoy learning and understand the value of sharing information. It’s also a good choice for people who are willing to be adventurous, Wallach added.
“It’s being adventurous in the sense of not being shy about trying something new. … really thinking about contemporary issues, about their constituencies, about civic life, about public policy, and being ready to have an adventurous mind and think in a new way,” Wallach said.
Learn more about the Master of Management in Library and Information Science (MMLIS) online program today.
This article was updated on September 19, 2024 to reflect the new MMLIS curriculum.