Bachelors In

Library Science Degrees

The complete guide on what you’ll learn, job prospects, university programs, and saving time and money.
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Why We Love It

  • $34,200
    Potential Avg. Salary*
  • Growing Demand
    Job Outlook

* Salary & growth data is based on the recent Bureau of Labor and Statistics data published at https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes254031.htm for 25-4031 Library technicians 11/2021. Based on national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary.

With a bachelor of science in library science, you’ll be qualified to work in elementary, middle, and high schools as a librarian and media specialist, or as a library technician at a public, private, or university library.

A bachelor’s degree in library science is also a great degree for those who want to move on to pursue master of library science (MLS) degrees and work as a research or academic librarian.

What is a Degree in Library Science?

A bachelor of science in library science introduces students to research methods, cataloging techniques, and archival practices used by libraries, historical societies, law firms, and government offices around the world. Students who graduate with a degree in library science find work as technicians, assisting professional librarians; as school librarians, helping elementary, middle, and high schoolers with research and book selection; and as paralegals, helping lawyers conduct research.

Many graduates of bachelor’s library science degree programs move into master of library science programs where they earn the professional degree needed to work as research and academic librarians. Most employers require full librarians to hold a master’s degree, but bachelor’s degree holders can jump-start their careers as librarians by working in elementary, middle, and high schools as librarians, or in public and private libraries as library technicians or assistants to research and academic librarians.

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What Courses Would I Take For a Major in Library Science?

  • Information Retrieval
  • Semantics-Based Knowledge Descriptions and Organization
  • Digital Libraries and Archives
  • Information Architecture
  • Online Searching Techniques
  • Organization and Cataloguing Techniques
  • Identifying Information-Seeking Behavior
  • Teaching Library Concepts to Children

What Jobs Can You Get with a Degree in Library Science?

Schools, colleges, lawyers, governments, museums, and historical societies all depend on librarians, researchers, and library technicians to assist with the organization and retrieval of files, documents, and other information.

Additionally, many businesses and organizations have begun making their information available online, and effective librarians and technicians will be needed to assist with this process. This is expected to sustain demand for effective librarians and library technicians over the coming decade.

How Long does it take?

A bachelors in Library Science will have a typical length of 4 years in a full time schedule. That said, there are many ways to speed up the timeframe by either taking more units via online coursework, community college, or taking free classes at OnlineDegree.com that could transfer to universities in the US.

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Best Jobs for Library Science Degrees

With a bachelor’s degree in library science, you’ll be prepared to work as a school librarian, or to find work as a library technician, assisting professional librarians with day-to-day research and cataloging tasks.

Additionally, you may be able to find work performing research or archiving documents for government agencies, lawyers, historical societies, or museums that maintain archives of information.

How to save time and money

Our mission is to help you to avoid paying full price for college. We want your Library Science degree to be affordable and accessible. Here’s how you could save:

Create Your Free SmartPlan

There are many ways to make college affordable and accessible.

That’s why we created a helpful tool called SmartPlan.

It’s free, and helps you find potential ways to save and tons of information about each school you’re considering

Think of it as your “college blueprint”, to help you instantly craft a path to your degree:

  • Which Colleges Match Your Needs
  • Ways You Could Save Time & Money
  • Free Courses You Could Take for Credit
  • Valuable Data and Insights on Each College
  • Detailed Steps You Should Take!

See what’s possible for you and generate a free plan within just a few minutes

Create My SmartPlan

Look for a Program That Provides Teaching Licensure

Since a master of library science degree is usually required to find work as a professional librarian, students can earn money and professional experience by working as school librarians while pursuing advanced credentials.

However, many schools require librarians to have teaching licenses, so students may be best served to find a degree program that provides a teaching license as part of the library science curriculum.

You Might also be Interested in

Many visitors who look for a degree in Library Science are also interested in the following degrees.

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