Do or Not Do BLIS

[Namitha Holla]

Hi all,

I am B.E. graduate and have number of years of experience in IT field. Due to personal issues, I am unable to continue in my career. For my love towards books/reading, I am looking at pursuing BLIS and MLIS from IGNOU and hopefully build a career as a librarian in a time frame of 3-4 years.
I am not confident on this prospectus, as I am not aware of current value of this degree and market situation.
Could you please guide me if I could go ahead with BLIS degree as a start?

Many thanks in advance!!!

Thanks,
Namitha

[Chothmal Verma]

Library Field is very Interesting field but you no enter in this field as a carrier.
C.M.verma

[Namitha Holla]

Thanks sir for your suggestion.

[amruta jagdish shirke]

Hi Namita,

Library and Information science field gives you a informative and approachable job prospect i.e you will learn a lot even when you academic curriculum is over. Here you have to be keen learner and adaptable.  Though BLISc. is a good start I would like to suggest you to opt for MLISc as well. 

It depends on which librarian you want to make a career.

If you are looking for School Librarian's job or just a start up than BLISc. is good.

But if you are looking for job in college or  good academic institute then MLISc. is necessary.

(MLISc. can be done full time/ part time.)

As well you should look forward to clear NET or SET exam as this provides more prospects financially as well as leads you to a good position.

Frankly speaking you should consider hard work of 3-4 years which would be including for NET/ SET so that a good govt. job as a Librarian in college or so,which would be open for you. Additionally, with NET/ SET exam the age criteria in many places are less prioritized.

Besides this even if you opt only for BLISc. it is neither too low as now a days many IB schools are providing good package and prospects to Librarians.

Over all its up to you to check for your priorities and go for what is suitable for you.

All the best....

Regards,

Amruta

[Namitha Holla]

Wow... thanks very much Amruta... your views are very helpful!

[R K]

Career in Library and Information Science
By

Librarianship as a profession provides a variety of employment opportunities. Today there are a number of career prospects in Library and Information Science. The qualified professionals are employed in various libraries and information Centers. Trained library professionals can find opportunities for employment both as teacher and as a Librarian. In fact, it is possible to choose the kind of library to suit one’s interest and background. In Librarianship, designations could be Librarian, Documentation Officer, Assistant Librarian, Deputy Librarian, Scientist (Library Science/ Documentation), Library and Information Officer, Knowledge Manager/ Officer, Information Executive, Director/Head of Library Services, Information Officer, and Information Analyst

In School, College, Universities;
In Central Government Libraries.
In the training centers of banks.
In National Museum and Archives;
In NGOs working in different areas.
In R&D Centre like ICAR, CSIR, DRDO, ICSSR, ICHR, ICMR, ICFRE, etc.
In Business Houses.
In Foreign Embassies and High Commissions.
In International Centers like WHO, UNESCO, UNO, World Bank etc.
In the libraries of Ministries and other government departments.
In National Level Documentation Centers.
In Library Networks.
In the newspaper libraries.
In News Channels.
In the Libraries of Radio Stations.
In the Databases provider firms.
In publishing companies for preparing Index, abstracts, bibliographies etc.
In various digital library projects like ‘Digital Library of India’ etc.
In Training Academies.
The role of libraries in providing widespread and inclusive access to knowledge is widely acknowledged. In today’s context, libraries have to play two distinct roles - to serve as a local centre of information and knowledge, and be a local gateway to national and global knowledge. Some of the issues under consideration of National Knowledge Commission are:

institutional framework of libraries;
networking;
education, training and research;
modernization and computerization of libraries;
maintenance of private and personal collections and
staff requirements to meet changing needs.
This commission has recommended the formation for the National Library Commission to strengthen the Library networks in India. The Department of Culture (DoC) has proposed setting up a National Mission for Libraries (NML) as a Central Sector Scheme. The NML will cover libraries under the DoC and the activities under it will include: National Census of Libraries; Modernisation including networking of Libraries under DoC; establishing Knowledge Centres and Digital Libraries. Recently under National Mission for Libraries there is a proposal for establishing 7000 libraries having computers with internet facility across the country.

It was recommended that the initial recruitment should be direct at the level of library and Information Assistant. The qualification requirement would be graduation and BLISc degree.
Thus, the scope of librarianship becomes brighter. Career in LIS is multidimensional, ever growing bright and significantly enriching the knowledge base of the society for prosperity and progress.

Courses in LIS

Certificate course in Library and Information science (CLISc or CLIB) Eligibility 10+2
Diploma course in Library and Information Science (DLISC or DLIB) Eligibility 10+2
Bachelor in Library and information science (BLISC or B.LIB) Eligibility Graduate in any discipline from recognized University
Master in Library and information Science (MLISC or M.LIB) Eligibility BLISc or B.LIB from recognized University
M.Phil in Library and Information science Eligibility MLISC or M.LIB from recognized University
Ph.D in library and Information Science Eligibility MLISC from recognized University
Course nomenclature and qualifying marks in different courses differ from university to university. Earlier the subject was called library science but now due to information explosion professionals handle information. So library science is changing into information science. A few universities have incorporated this word in the course name but not removed the word library. So some universities provide degree i.e. Bachelor in library and Information Science(BLISC), and Masters in Library and information Science (MLISC), M.Phil in Library and Information science and Ph.D in Library and Information Science and some provide degrees like Bachelor in library Science(B.LIB), and Master in Library Science (M.LIB), M.Phil in Library and Information science and Ph.D in Library Science)

The computer and information technology is now being widely used in libraries and information centers to process, store, retrieve and disseminate information. NISCAIR under the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), New Delhi conducts a two-year programme leading to the award of Associateship in Information Science (AIS) and the Documentations Research and Training Centre (DRTC) at the Indian Statistical Institute (Bangalore) offer Associateship in Documentation and Information Science (ADIS).This award is also recognised as equivalent to MLISc degree. These two courses enjoy a good reputation in the employment market. In view of the increasing use of computer and information technology in libraries, several universities in India also have started various courses focusing primarily on information technology and computer.

Universities offering courses in LIS
There are about 80 university departments offering the LIS courses. This course is also available through distance learning mode. Two Sanskrit universities, viz., KS Darbhanga Sanskrit University (Bihar), and Sampuranand Sanskrit Vishvavidyalaya (Varanasi) offer Pustakalaya Vigyan Shastri (9 months) and Granthalaya Vigyan Shastri (One year) courses respectively. Knowledge of Sanskrit language is an essential requirement. LIS are available in the following Universities/Institutes-

Alagappa University, Karaikudi
Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh
Allahabad University
Annamalai University, Annamalainagar
Awadhesh Pratap Singh University, Rewa
Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Lucknow
Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi
Bundelkhand University, Jhansi
Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya, Indore
Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar University, Agra
Dr. Harisingh Gour Viswavidyalaya, Sagar
Gulbarga University, Gulbarga
Guru Ghasidas University, Bilaspur
Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar
Dr. Harisingh Gour University, Sagar
HNB Garhwal University Srinagar - Garhwal
Jadavpur University, Calcutta
Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi
Jiwaji University, Gwalior
Karnatak University, Dharwad
Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi
Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra
Nagpur University, Nagpur
North Eastern Hill University, Shillong
Pandit Ravishankar Shukla University, Raipur
Panjab University, Chandigarh
Patna University, Patna
Punjabi University, Patiala
Rani Durgavati Vishwavidyalaya, Jabalpur
Sambalpur University, Sambalpur
SNDT Womens’ University, Mumbai
University of Delhi, Delhi
University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad
University of Jammu, Jammu (Tawi)
University of Kashmir, Srinagar
University of Lucknow, Lucknow
University of Madras, Chennai
University of Mysore, Mysore
University of Pune, Pune
University of Rajasthan, Jaipur
Vikram University, Ujiain
UP Rajarshi Tandon Open University, Allahabad (Distance Education)
Indira Gandhi National Open University, New Delhi (Distance Education)
Salaries in Library and Information profession
The salary varies depending upon the nature of the organizations. Many colleges and universities have adopted UGC scales of salary for the library staff. The library staff in the constituent units of large establishments of the Central Government, such as Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) enjoy salary scales similar to those applicable to sc

[Namitha Holla]

Thanks for your reply R K.

I had earlier found similar information on the internet on the career options on the library science degree. I have posted my question in this forum to get an authenticated suggestions since the inform provided above may be outdated. Like the ADIS degree mentioned above has been renamed as MSLIS since 2010.

Thanks

[Munesh Kumar]

Dear Ma'am

Since you are BE, finally you want to make your career in Library Domain, I would like to suggest you to think before changing your core domain, IT. Library is a department, which is consumer of IT and its components. I would also like to mention that Librarian don't get time to read the books on duty so I think you will not get time for serving your interest of reading books. In Library domain, few jobs are offered at industry and corporate level also apart from govt. So the opportunities are there but age factor plays an important role. I am not sure about your age and after 3-4 years; it should be compatible with the government standards and average age bar (may be max 35 years). Kindly check all the parameters for getting a job in Libraries before enrolling in to BLIS and MLIS. With your current education and knowledge you can apply in publication industries which are service providers for Libraries they also do all the equal works which we do in libraries, but you can get job there. Kindly be updated with LIS Links Job Blogs and be following the eligibility and job requirement related information. Kindly wait for few more answers and counseling.

Thanking You.

[Namitha Holla]

 Thanks for your suggestions Munesh.. Never thought of my age factor.

Like you say, will wait for few more suggestions and then decide.

[Munesh Kumar]

Thank You, 

Actually, after passing 3-4 years in Library Science, if you wouldn't get a good job easily then there is no meaning for choosing this hard journey. Same time if you give in other professional courses like, PGDBM (MBA) then you might get handsome package as per your choice and also default you would be eligible for other jobs at Govt. sectors. There is no much benefit of library science subject in other domain except education and publication arena. 

Best regards,

[Ravi Kumar]

Before starting career in Library and Information science (LIS) I would like to share my experience with you. As you mentioned that you are B.E degree holder and have handsome experience in IT sector so I am sure that in IT sector you are also getting handsome salary around 50K+.

Here are my views

1>     It is very difficult to get permanent Jop in LIS (Library and Information Science) filed.

2>     The value and importance of LIS professional is not satisfactory

3>     On contract job you will get maximum around 20000/- (Twenty thousand Rupees only)

4>     Without approach /jugad it will be very hard to get job (Permanent/ On Contract) in LIS field

 

Suggestions

 

Instead of wasting 3-4 year on LIS field, it is good to do preparation for SSC-CGL, if you will get selected in CGL in few field such as Aduit Inspector, Customs, etc you will not get the handsome salary but social respect also or you can go for the UPSC.

 

Note:- If you will get good job in LIS field such as Assistant Librarian, Professional Assistant, Associate Professor etc then you will get handsome salary but no social respect in society even in your office.

To satisfy your reading habit you can join/get membership of some good public/private libraries

 

Regards

Thanks

Ravi Kumar

http://ravikumardu.blogspot.in/

[Munesh Kumar]

Sir,

I don't know, whether, I should say or not but, I mention herewith that Librarian, Professor in LIS has respect in society. Very few people understand this profession, they offer proper respect, rest "don't give nor say anything wrong". People, who don't offer respect they would't say anything against in honor as I have been know. 

We librarians are having hidden responsibilities, hence, people think that we have very less work to do. But other professionals are being honored within a boundary only which is decided by state a behavior may be fear of power. I think you understood what I wish to convey. People get honor at individual level by their work not by any positions acquired. 

Kindly correct, if I am wrong. 

Thank You. 

[LIS proff]

i agree with you sir