LIS Education (World Wide ‎Overview) ‎

Huma Malik
LIS Professional
April 2014
Theoretical Foundations of Library Science
LIS EDUCATION

2
Contents
 Introduction
 Historical Development
 Formal Library Education
 USA
 Europe
 Asia
 Africa
 Australia
 Contemporary LIS Education
 Conclusion

4
Library education was initially a technical
education that was acquired on the job.
Practical work in a library, based on good
education in schools, was the only way to train
librarians.
It took quite a long time to introduce library
education as a subject and has been taught at
different level in the universities of the world.
Introduction

6
Library Training in :
 Alexandrian Period
 Medieval and Early Modern Period
 the Early 19th Century
Historical Development

7
 Compilation of bibliography and the
making of library catalogues.
 The encouragement of scholars to use
the library and to draw books out of it.
Cont…
Library Training in Alexandrian Period

8
 Training of librarians
 Cataloguing
 Repairing
 Binding
 Loaning
Cont…
Library Training in Medieval and Early
Modern Period

9
Mary Plummer, Director of Pratt Institute Library
School Germany, pointed out the three methods
of learning library science in 1901.
1. Evolving a system of his own from his
inner consciousness.
2. Two or three weeks training and
observation to some large city library.
3. Learning of certain parts of the work
(e.g. cataloguing) of library by tuition.
Cont…
Library Training in the Early 19th Century

11
Background…
Several attempts were made by Dewey during
the mid-nineteenth century to start formal
library education. This did not materialize until
1876 when formal steps were taken to
establish the ALA and he became the first
secretary of ALA.
After long struggle of Dewey, the formal library
education was started in America in 1887.
Formal Library Education

12
Library Education in ……
USA
Europe
Asia
–East Asia
–Southeast Asia
–South Asia
–Middle East (Arab Regions)
Africa
Australia
Library Education in the World

14
Systematic library training in the United States
was started by Melvil Dewey.
 1883 - Dewey became chief librarian at
Columbia College.
 1883- Dewey received approval from ALA
for a formal training program
 1887 – The “school of library economy”
was established.
Library Education in USA

15
Duration of the study was
 3-month course
 2-years actual experience (compulsory) in
various kinds of library work and
 Again 3-months course taken in review
Library Education in USA
Cont…

17
 In 1886, The University of Gottingen,
Germany was the first university in the world
that started library science course at the
university level.
 Italy and Sweden followed the examples of
Gottingen University and established library
schools around the time Dewey started his
school at Columbia.
 In 1919, the London University stared the first
full time diploma course in Librarianship and
Archives.
Library Education in Europe

18
 British models were exported to Australia and
New Zealand at the beginning of 20th century.
 In many European countries, university-level
LIS programs is offered.
 LIS programs are accredited by Chartered
Association of Library and Information
Professionals (CILIP).
 Continuing professional development (“CPD”)
or “lifelong learning” is also organised by CILIP.
 “Certificate” qualification is also introduced .
Cont…

19
 In Russia, the system of LIS education is being
constantly transformed. LIS education in the Post-
Soviet Era reflects the complicated period of social
and economic transition characterizing the Russian
society, reforms in higher education in general as well
as the dynamic developments in libraries.
 Three influential leaders in the field (all females)
– N. K. Krupskaya (1869-1939),
– L. B. Khavkina (1871-1949),
– G.K.Derman (1882-1954),
RUSSIA (Europe)

20
 Early 20th century- N. K. Krupskaya first person to
formalize Library & Bibliographical Training
 1903, Khavkina founded first Scientific Department
of Librarianship within her hometown library.
 1913, Khavkina initiated library courses at
Shanyavskiy People’s University in Moscow and also
served as instructor.
 1930, Derman became founding Director of Moscow
Library Institute (MBI)
 In 2002, the library faculties were transformed into
LIS faculties and new State-approved standards for
qualifications in LIS were created.
Cont… RUSSIA (Europe)

21
 The considerable weight is given to bibliographic studies
in the library-related components and library professional
activities in the Soviet era.
 In 2007, there were 26 higher education institutions in
Russia providing LIS education. These include state
universities and higher specialised institutions of culture.
 In Russia, in-service refresher courses for library staff are
available as a formalised promotion and career
improvement opportunity.
 The work is in progress on building an all-Russia
continuing education system of refresher courses and
library staff skills updating activities.
Cont… RUSSIA (Europe)

 SOUTH ASIA
– INDIA
– PAKISTAN
– BANGLADESH
 EAST ASIA
– CHINA
– JAPAN
– SOUTH KOREA
– TAIWAN
Library Education in Asia
SOUTHEAST ASIA
–THAILAND
–MALAYSIA
–INDONESIA
–PHILPPINIES
–SINGAPORE
 MIDDLE EAST
ASIA
– GCC MEMBER
COUNTRIES
– NON-GCC
COUNTRIES

24
 LIS education in India is nearly 100 years old.
 In 1915, formal first university course was
initiated by Asa Don Dickinson (American
librarian) at Panjab University, Lahore.
 This was the first formal program in Asia and
the second in the world after Columbia
University.
 He also prepared a manual for the use of students
namely The Punjab Library Primer.
INDIA (South Asia)

25
• In 1929, S.R. Ranganathan introduced a certificate
course at the Madras Library Association, which
later moved to the University of Madras.
• In 1937, the course was converted to a one-year
postgraduate diploma program
• In 1946, The first department of library science
was established at the University of Delhi. It offered
a postgraduate diploma in 1947 and a MLS in 1951.
• Several Committees were setup by India UGC to
review and make recommendations on various
aspects of LIS education.
Cont… INDIA (South Asia)

26
 1915- formal first university course - Asa Don
Dickinson -Panjab University, Lahore.
 In 1956, first postgraduate diploma program was
established at the University of Karachi, then in
the University of the Punjab in 1959.
 In 1962- The first Master’s program was
introduced at the University of Karachi.
 The first PhD program was started at the
University of Karachi in 1967, followed by several
other universities.
 No professional accreditation body for LIS
programs.
PAKISTAN (South Asia)

27
 About 50 years of history in LIS education.
 In 1952, Dhaka University Library offered certificate
course in librarianship, but it ran for only one session.
 A Department of Library Science was established in
1959 and a postgraduate diploma program started
based on model of the University of London.
 A B.A. (Hons) program was introduced in 1987, together
with a name change to Department of Library and
Information Science.
 A PhD program in library science was approved by the
University of Dhaka in 1978.
 2 public universities offer B.A. and M.A. in LIS, and 12
private institutes offer post-graduate diploma courses.
BANGLADESH (South Asia)

28
 China has a long history of books, publishing and
libraries.
 History of book collections goes back at least
3,500 years.
 The first book on library science in China was
written by Liu Xiang around 77B.C.
– The book analyzed the national book collections of the
time.
– Only a few chapters remain today.
– Since then, books on book-collecting and document
science, as well as bibliographies of books, have
appeared through the ages.
CHINA (East Asia)

29
Modern library science
• Introduced by the West in the early 20th century.
• In 1913, American librarian Harry Clemens
taught a course on library science at Nanjing
University for the first time
• In 1920, the first library science school, the
Boone Library School, was founded in Wuhan,
following the U.S. model
• Within a decade, two other LIS departments were
set up, at Shanghai Citizen University in 1925
and Nanjing University in 1927.
Cont… CHINA (East Asia)

30
• In the 1950s, LS Education was influenced by the
former Soviet Union.
• Many books of Soviet LS books were translated
into Chinese, and China sent students to study
library science in the USSR.
• In 1978, China looked to the U.S. and other
countries for new ideas.
• LIS education developed rapidly after 1980,
• Till 2003, 44 LIS schools opened, offering a
variety of Bachelor’s, Master’s and PhD
programs.
Cont… CHINA (East Asia)

31
 Library training workshops were run by the Japan
Library Association as early as 1903.
 In 1921, the Ministry of Education established a
librarianship training institute in the Imperial
Library, which offered a 1-year program.
– In 1964, the training institute became the National
Junior College for Librarianship,
– In 1980, It was restructured into the University of
Library and Information Science.
– In 2002 it was merged with the University of Tsukuba.
Now it is the largest LIS School in Japan.
JAPAN (East Asia)

32
 In 1957 first library school was established at
Yonsei University, with both undergraduate and
graduate programs
 in 1959 Ewha Womans’ University,
 in 1963 Chungang University
 in 1964 Sungkyunkwan University, it also started
first PhD program in 1974.
 With the Public Records Management Act
coming into effect in 2000, LIS schools started
offering courses in records management, to meet
the demand for record management professionals.
SOUTH KOREA (East Asia)

33
 In 1955, the first Undergraduate LS program
was introduced by the Department of Adult and
Continuing Education at the National Taiwan
Normal University.
 In 1980, the same University started Master’s
program and a PhD program in 1989.
 Now, there are 11 universities offering
undergraduate and graduate programs, with most
programs called LIS program.
 Each LIS program is accredited by its parent
university.
TAIWAN (East Asia)

34
 In 1951, a special program in library
management was offered at Chulalongkorn
University under a Fulbright program…
– Five American academics conducted six courses over a
period of five years.
– in 1955, the Department of Library Science was set up,
and undergraduate diploma course started,
– in 1959 Bachelor’s program started and
– in 1964 Master’s program started.
 Based on the U.S. model, with some adaptations to
meet Thai needs.
THAILAND (Southeast Asia)

35
 In 1965 one-year postgraduate Advanced
Certificate started in College of Education,
Prasarnmit Campus (now Srinakharinwirot
University) to train school librarians.
 There are currently 16 universities and more than 36
Rajabhat Universities (former teacher colleges)
offering undergraduate LIS programs, with the
names library and information science, information
studies or information management.
 Ten of these offer Master’s programs, mostly MA in
Library and Information Science.
 The first PhD program was introduced at Khon Kaen
University in 2003.
Cont… THAILAND (Southeast Asia)

36
 LIS education in Malaysia began with the
formation of the Malayan Library Group in
1955, which organized classes in librarianship and
prepared students to take the Library Association
(U.K.) Associate ship examination.
 A formal LIS program was introduced in 1968 at
the MARA Institute of Technology (now the
University of Technology MARA).
 The Institute started a three-year Diploma in LS
program in 1973, followed by a Bachelor’s,
Master’s and PhD program.
MALAYSIA (East Asia)

37
 In 1987, a MLIS program was started at the
University of Malaya.
 It was suspended after one run, but was revived in
1995.
 Now there are four universities offering LIS
professional education at various levels, including
three PhD programs.
 The Malaysian Qualifications Agency oversees
all aspects of quality in higher education.
 Standards and Criteria for Programs in LIS was
formulated in 2007.
Cont… MALAYSIA (East Asia)

38
 In 1952 First LIS program was started. The two- year
“Training Course for Library Staff” was
established by the Ministry of Education and Culture.
 In 1959, it became the Library School, with the
course extended to three years.
 In 1961, the program was moved to the Teacher’s
College at the University of Indonesia, and in 1963
the Department of Library Science came under the
Faculty of Letters.
 supervised for two years by the National
Accreditation Agency set up by the Ministry of
Education.
INDONESIA (East Asia)

39
 In 1914, First courses on “Library Economy” were
offered at the University of the Philippines.
 In 1916, the program was raised to a four-year
program leading to a BSc. in Library Science.
 In 1917, courses for school librarians were offered
at the Philippine Normal School.
 In 1961, an Institute of Library Science was set up
at the University of the Philippines, and a Master’s
program was introduced.
 LIS majors within a Bachelor of Education program.
 Significant feature of the LIS profession is the
licensing of professional librarians by the state.
PHILIPPINES (East Asia)

40
 First LIS postgraduate diploma program
conducted by the Library Association of
Singapore, from 1982 to 1992.
 The instructors were a mix of faculty engaged from
library schools in the U.K. and Australia, and local
practicing librarians.
 In 1993, a Division of Information Studies was
established at the Nanyang Technological
University’s School of Applied Science to offer an
MSc program in Information Studies.
SINGAPORE (East Asia)

41
• In 2002, the Master’s of Science (Msc) program
curriculum was restructured to offer the following
areas of concentration:
– Archival Informatics, Knowledge Management, Information
Systems, Library and Information Science, School Media Resource
Management.
• Separate MSc program in Knowledge Management
started in 2002 (first time in Asia and one of the
earliest in the world)
• A research Master’s program and a PhD program
was also started.
• There is no accreditation system for LIS education
in Singapore.
Cont… SINGAPORE (East Asia)

42
GCC COUNTRIES
LIS Education program founded at ….
 1973- King Abdulziz University, Saudi Arabia
(KAU) (the oldest in the region)
 1996- Kuwait University’s (KU) Master’s
program
– 1977- Undergraduate program at PAAET (Public Authority
for Applied Education and Technology, Kuwait)
 1984-88 - Three Saudi programs at University of
Al-Ummal Qura’s (UQ) Men and Women wings
(Mecca) and King Saud University (KSU)
MIDDLE EAST ASIA (ARAB COUNTRIES)

43
 1986 - Undergraduate programs - Sultan Qaboos
University SQU (Muscat, Oman)
 1988 - Undergraduate programs - Qatar University
(QU) were founded in and respectively.
 2014- Zayed University (ZU), United Arab Emirates
(UAE)
• There are eight degree awarding LIS programs in the
six nations.
– seven of the them are have undergraduate programs
– KU offers as a minor in information studies.
– KAU is the only one that has three degree programs: bachelor’s,
master’s, and Ph.D.
CONT…MIDDLE EAST ASIA (ARAB COUNTRIES)

44
NON-GCC COUNTRIES
JORDAN
• First nation in the region that had a component of
library science in its Teachers College of Amman
back in 1965
• 1977- the University of Jordan- first post-
graduate diploma-.The degree title was Library
Science and Documentation.
• 1992- diploma in Library and Information with the
duration of one academic year

45
LEBANON
 In 1970 first program Associate Degree (AA) of a 2-
year duration was initiated at the Lebanese
American University for library technicians
 In 1976 First 4-year degree program of a bachelor
degree started in the Lebanese University. Also
offers a 5th year qualification for in-depth studies and
the degree is named as *DEA. The focus of the
program is on media and communication studies
 2008- Balamand University-offer a bachelor’s
degree in Library and Information Science.
*DEA (diplôme d'études approfondies)- a tertiary education degree higher than a master's, but
lower than a doctorate.

46
SYRIA
• 1950s- 60s, the government sent a large number of
staff abroad for library training.
• Around mid-70s a library section was created
within Damascus University that was made
responsible for the education and training of library
employees.
• In 1977, the Secretariat Institute of Damascus
University started organizing a one- year training
program for librarians.
• In 1984, a formal degree program started.

47
IRAQ
 In 1970 At Mustan- Sariyah University, the
Department of Library Science was established and
had its first graduating class in 1972.
– organized training activities for elementary and
middle school library staff.
PALESTINE
 Librarians in Palestine got their education from all
over the world: Leningrad, Cairo, Leeds, Amman,
Kiev, Sofia, – and many others.

48
IRAN
 1939-1965- Short courses and informal library
education,
 1966-1978- Formal library education,
 1997- LIS education with ICT impact
 28 governmental universities and one private
university offer LIS programs
 Programs offered are:
– a) Associates Diploma (Ass. Dip.);
– b) Bachelor of Library Science (B.L.S.);
– c) Master of Library Science (M.L.S.) and
– d) Ph.D.

50
• Librarianship in Africa owes its origin to
colonialism.
• In 1938 - South African LIS schools started
• After 1960- LIS formal education in Africa began
• 1980s - there were 5 main LIS education
institutions based in Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal and
Uganda and 18 in South Africa.
• During 1938 to 2000- in South Africa LIS School
raised from one to 18.
• During 2000 to 2006 it declined from 18 to 11.
AFRICA
Library Education in Africa

51
 In Southern Africa, at least one LIS School is
found in Botswana, Malawi, Namibia, Zambia and
Zimbabwe. The remaining countries have either one
LIS school, or none.
 Most LIS Schools are located within Higher
Education Institutions (HEIs) or universities, to
evaluate the curriculum development and quality
control.
 There are two dominant learning models:
– Undergraduate model – 4 yr. study
– Honours Degree 4yr.+ 1yr. Specialization
Contd… AFRICA

52
 1951- LIS education started in Cairo University
 1981- Alexandria University
 Several private Universities have been established
within the last 20 years.
 A limited number has LIS Department, such as 6
Oct. University. This University changed its whole
system into credit hours since few years and splits
LIS Department in two divisions:
 Library and Information Sciences, and
 Information Technology Divisions.
EGYPT (Africa)

Library Education in Australia

54
 1944 - Formal LIS education and training of
librarians took place, when the Australian Institute
of Librarians* introduced a ‘qualifying
examination’. This was renamed the ‘registration
exam’ and formed the main career pathway for
librarians until 1980.
 1960 -The first academic qualification was
introduced by the University of New South Wales
(UNSW) as a postgraduate Diploma of
Librarianship, deemed equivalent to the
registration exam.
*(later the Library Association of Australia (LAA) in 1949)
AUSTRALIA

55
 In 1963 the General Council of the LAA
adopted the formal position that librarians should
hold a postgraduate qualification.
• In 1965, the government introduced colleges of
advanced education and institutes of technology as a
new area of tertiary education. Library education
fitted into this domain, with a number of courses
emerging at the undergraduate level.
• Since 1968, the professional association has
accepted both undergraduate and graduate
qualifications as first award courses.
Cont… (AUSTRALIA)

56
 LIS education is offered at…
– the university level, with graduates becoming librarians, &
– the vocational education level through the institutes of
technical and further education (TAFEs).
• Now there are 10 universities offering LIS courses
at undergraduate and graduate levels.
– 5 of these offer courses at both levels,
– 1 university offer only undergraduate program
– 4 universities offer only graduate programs (Graduate Diploma or
Masters).
– Queensland University of Technology (QUT) offers only a Masters
course, either in Information Management (MIM) or teacher
librarianship (Master of Learning Innovation).
Cont… (AUSTRALIA)

57
• Only one (of ten) institutions had an independent LIS
academic unit- the School of Information Studies in
the Faculty of Education at Charles Sturt University.
• 1989- LAA adopted new name as ALIA (Australian
Library and Information Association)
• ALIA holds responsibility for the recognition of the
university and TAFE courses which provide a library
and information studies qualification.
• ALIA regularly inspect/analyze the courses for
currency and relevance. This is achieved through the
Annual Course Return (ACR) submitted by each
university.
Cont… (AUSTRALIA)

59
 Library education has always coped with two sets
of problems.
– One of them is its relationship to the profession.
– The other is its relationship to the academic world.
 To a certain degree these type of relationships still
play a fundamental role in library education.
 The history of library education worldwide is
diverse, mirroring the state of the library movement
and the educational systems in various countries.
Contemporary LIS Education

60
LIS Programmes
1. Gap between theory and practice.
2. Focus to the demands of market.
3. Core curriculum should be apply to all library schools
with minor variations with the application of new
information technologies to produce a librarian .
4. LIS programmes have undergone a substantial evolution
in 20th century due to ICT.
5. ICT has become major part of LIS programmes.
6. Traditional names of library schools has been changed.
Cont… (Contemporary LIS Education)

61
 Developed countries are rich and diverse in LIS
Education programs whether formal or informal.
 In developing countries and non-English speaking
countries following common issues exist.
– Lack of independence (financial independence,
permission to develop or modify curriculums)
– Lack of Accreditation System
– Mere Emphasis on Education (not able to conduct
proper research.)
– Lack of Continued Education
– Locating Departments in Faculties of Fine Arts and
Humanities

62
– Lack of Adequate Facilities, Resources and Buildings
– Inadequate Number of Faculty Members
– Lack of Diversity in Programs and degrees
– Outdated Syllabi
– Not Taking Advantage of Advanced Technologies
– Lack of Text books in national languages

64
The informal library training tradition was ended into formal
library education by the practical efforts of Melvil Dewey.
The first library education course of Melvil Dewey has
provided the foundation to modern library education.
The library education started with practical orientation has
grown up into a recognized academic discipline.
Due to ICT, traditional names of library schools has been
changed. In developed countries national bodies are formed
that are responsible to accredit LIS education (formal or
informal). But developing countries need to form such
bodies to improve LIS education that will meet the demands
of librarianship of digital information age.
CONCLUSION

66
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Asian Developing Countries: A Review Article’. International Journal of Information Science and
Management. Vol 9, No 2 (2011).
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(Eds.). Proceedings Asia-Pacific Conference on Library and Information Education and Practice 2006.
Preparing information professionals for leadership in the new age. Singapore: Nanyang Technological
University.
Kajberg, Leif, Horvat, Aleksandra and Oguz, Esin Sultan (2009). Eurpoe: LIS education. In Ismail Abdullahi (ed.)
Global Library and Information Science: A Textbook for Students and Educators (IFLA Publications)
München: KG- Saur.
Kent, Allen and Lancour, Harold (ed.). (1972). ‘Education in library and information science’ Encyclopedia of
Library and Information Science.Vol. 7. New York: Marcel Dekker.
Richardson, Jr. John V. (2000). The Origin of Soviet Education for Librarianship: The Role of Nadezhda
Konstantinovna Krupskaya, Lyubov' Borisovna Khavkina-Hamburger, and Genrietta K. Abele-Derman.
Journal of Education for Library and Information Science, Vol. 41, No. 2. retrieved from
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ichardson Jr., John V. (2009). History of American Library Science: Its Origins and Early Development. Retrieved
from polaris.gseis.ucla.edu/jrichardson/ALS.pdf
S. G. Khoo, Christopher, Majid, Shaheen, and Lin , Chihfeng P. (2009). Asia: LIS education. In Ismail Abdullahi
(ed.) Global Library and Information Science: A Textbook for Students and Educators (IFLA Publications)
München: KG- Saur.
Sajjad ur-Rehman (2009). Middle East: LIS education. In Ismail Abdullahi (ed.) Global Library and Information
Science: A Textbook for Students and Educators (IFLA Publications) München: KG- Saur.
Wilson, Concepción S; Kennan, Mary Anne, Boell, Sebastian K.; Willard, Patricia (2012). From Practice to
Academia : 50 Years of LIS Education in Australia. In Amanda Spink & Diljit Singh, (eds.) Library and
Information Science Trends and Research: Asia-Oceania. Bingley: Emerald Group Publishing Limited.
REFERENCES

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