Master of Science (MSc) Information & Library Management (LAI accredited)

Overview

The programme is designed for graduates of all disciplines wishing to pursue a career in Information & Library Management on a professional level. The programme also enables existing library personnel to obtain a professional library qualification for promotional purposes.

This programme aims to provide learners with the theoretical knowledge and practical skills to work in positions within the information and library management sector at a professional level. It covers a wide range of information and library topics, whilst providing the ability to respond to the changing information and library needs of clients. The programme focuses on theoretical and contextual knowledge in core areas such as information retrieval, organisation and dissemination, while also offering applied practical skills in contemporary topics such as open librarianship, information technologies, information law and information architecture.

Programme Objectives

• Provide learners with a rigorous academic foundation in, and a systematic understanding of the principles, theory and application of information and library management incorporating a contemporary skill set central to the profession.
• Enable the learner to acquire strong analytical skills to identify and critically evaluate technological, political, social, regulatory and economic changes affecting the information and library environment.
• Build learners’ capacity for informed decision-making based on the synthesis of both theoretical knowledge and practical experience.
• Enable learners to attain the ability to solve practical and complex problems within a variety of information and library environments.
• Support learners in acquiring transferable skills such as leadership, advocacy, communication and IT skills.
• Facilitate learners to develop research skills and apply theoretical knowledge to work based problems.
• Provide a basis for practice and continual personal development and learning throughout learners’ careers.

Overall, the programme aims to create in learners a critical understanding of core information and library principles, while also enhancing their research capability and practical information management skills.

Key Features:

• The programme is recognised by the Library Association of Ireland (LAI).
• The programme provides learners with a rigorous academic foundation in and a systematic understanding of the principles, theory and application of information and library management incorporating a contemporary skill set central to the profession.
• The learner will acquire strong analytical skills that will allow them to identify and critically evaluate technological, political, social, regulatory and economic changes affecting the information and library environment.
• The programme enables learners to attain the ability to solve practical and complex problems within a variety of information and library environments.
• The programme facilitates the acquisition of transferable skills such as leadership, advocacy, communication and IT skills through the Personal and Professional Development module.
• A 3 week work placement in a library and or information management setting. For part-time students this can be facilitated around any work commitments an individual may have. If an individual has prior work experience in any of the above they are exempt from placement.
• The programme focuses on employability via a Personal and Professional development module and an annual Careers Expo

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirements for Master of Science in Information & Library Management are:

• A Level 8 primary undergraduate honours degree with a minimum Second-Class Second Division classification (2.2) from a recognised third level institution in any discipline.
• For applicants whose first language is not English and who have not previously undertaken a degree taught through English, evidence must be provided of proficiency in English language equivalent to B2+ or above on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFRL). This must be evidenced through a recognised English Language test such as IELTS, Cambridge Certificate, PTE or DBS English Assessment. Test certificates should be dated within the last two years to be considered valid.
• Applicants who do not have a Level 8 qualification at a 2.2 award level and who have at least 3 years’ work experience may also be considered through the college’s normal RPL procedures. Relevant professional experience may be taken into account and individuals will be assessed on a case-by-case basis through DBS RPL procedures.

Course Content

The Master of Science (MSc) Information & Library Management (LAI accredited) has the following content:

• • The Teaching Librarian
  • Records Management and Information Law
  • Information Technologies
  • Information Organisation
  • Research Methods
  • Management for Information and Library Professionals
  • Information Architecture
  • Open Librarianship
  • Professional Development and Organisational Awareness
  • Dissertation/ Applied Research Project

Assessment

Assessment on the programme comprises individual and group assessment as well as examinations. Assessments are designed to give students knowledge and competencies that can be transferred to real world employment settings. DBS Library also facilitates students wishing to carry out a project in a working library environment.

Continuing Professional Development (CPD)

As part of Dublin Business School’s commitment to lifelong learning and continuing professional development (CPD), a selection of modules from the MSc in Information and Library Management are available to professionally qualified librarians (Graduate/Higher Diploma or Masters) for CPD purposes. The benefits of CPD training are numerous for both the individual and the organisation
and include:

• Participation in lifelong learning and opportunity to improve professional competence.
• The opportunity to upskill in new aspects of librarianship such as open source, cloud computing, information architecture, XML, metadata, Dublin Core, new management practices etc.
• Supporting Associate Membership of the LAI; performance appraisals; applications for promotion internally or for new posts
• Helping organisations to develop their employees so that they fulfill the requirements of changing roles.

Structure

Learners complete the taught component of the MSc. in Information and Library management by working through ten core modules gaining subject knowledge and practical skills that are synthesised and applied in the capstone Research Dissertation module. This programme, and the progression of the modules, facilitates the learner in firstly gaining a solid theoretical and practical foundation in essential information retrieval and management in the ten credit Information Organisation and the five credit Records Management and Information Law.

These foundational modules are complemented in the first semester with the forward-looking and issue-raising Teaching Librarian and Information Technologies modules. In the second semester, learners get the opportunity to apply the foundational theory and practice in such modules as Open Librarianship and Information Architecture. The Management for Information and Library Professionals and the Personal Development and Organisational Analysis modules also offer the learner an applicable window for the theory and skills addressed in earlier modules. The Research Methods module in Semester 2, prepares learners for the capstone research dissertation in Semester 3.

In the capstone Dissertation/Applied Research Project module, the learner then synthesises their learning in an area of focused interest, critically analysing relevant literature, using suitable research methods and research design in the production of a written thesis or report and artifact appropriate to a Level 9 standard.

• Full-time

For full-time students, the taught component consists of 10 modules delivered over one academic year, comprising 2 semesters. Successful completion of the taught component stage allows you to move on to the dissertation stage. Classes are held on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

• Part-time

For part-time students, delivery of the programme is structured over 4 taught semesters. During each semester, students will normally attend lectures on two evenings per week.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the programme can progress to roles as library managers, systems librarians, reader services managers, collection development managers, institutional repository managers and teaching librarians in a variety of library settings: medical, legal, public, etc.

Graduates are also qualified for information management roles in the corporate sector such as records management and in the creation, management and promotion of digital content. Graduates of the MSc in Information and Library Management at DBS have gone onto secure positions in a range of libraries and information services including Trinity College Dublin, An Bord Pleanála, Dublin Dental Hospital and National College of Ireland.

In a recent survey conducted by DBS Careers Department, wider IT and business companies said that they would be interested in recruiting graduates of this programme due to the IT and management content of the programme.

Fees

The course fees for the next academic year are €8,700 full-time and €5,390 per annum part-time for EU students. This covers the cost of tuition, registration and examinations

Visit Us

Open days are a great way to help you make your decision about DBS and learn more about the Master of Science (MSc) Information & Library Management. As well as experiencing our outstanding facilities, you’ll have the opportunity to receive personalised advice from academics from your subject area, meet current postgraduate students and also have your questions answered on general subjects such as entry requirements, student support and the admissions process.