MS in Library and Information Science

This is an advanced programme in Library and Information Science with special emphasis on applications of  Information Technology.  On completion of the programme, the students will be able to pursue an academic career or take up responsible positions in various private and public sector organizations in Library and Information field.  The objectives of the course are to develop manpower capable of:

• Effectively and efficiently working as information professionals at higher levels in libraries and information centres.
• Design and developing information systems.
• Contributing to the discipline of Library and Information Science in terms of research and teaching.

The two-year programme consists of a total of twenty credit-courses distributed over four semesters. These include colloquium, seminar and dissertation work. In addition, there are two courses in Elementary Mathematics (each carrying four credits) in the first and second semesters for those who have not studied mathematics at the plus two level.
The dissertation work on an approved topic will be spread over the 3rd and 4th  semesters. Evaluation of the dissertation will be based on  

1. the contribution by the student (original contribution or some developmental work)
2. the text of the dissertation itself
3. presentation in an open seminar (defense) and
4. depth of knowledge in the area.

A stipend of Rs. 8000 per month will be given to each student. However, if a student fails in semester 3 or semester 4, his/her stipend and contingency grant will be completely withdrawn, when (s)he repeats that semester next time.  If the attendance in each course and overall attendance of a student falls below a minimum of 75% in any semester, his/her stipend is fully withdrawn in the following semester and he/she will not be allowed to take semester examinations (mid- term as well as final) for those subjects/courses where the attendance is below 75%. A student may also have full/partial stipend cut resulting from poor academic performance and/or unsatisfactory conduct.

Contingency Grant: A contingency grant for books, calculators, stationery, etc. of Rs. 8000 per year will be granted to a student on the merit of his/her performance.

Dean of Studies, ISI Kolkatta will announce the course during 3rd week of January or first week of February, every year. The notices are published in the ISI Admissions Website.

• Paper 01: Foundations of Library and Information Science
• Paper 02: Information Organisation
• Paper 03: Cataloguing and Metadata
• Paper 04: Information Sources, Systems and Services
• Paper 05: Foundations of Information and Communications Technology (ICT)

• Paper 06: Library Management and Automation
• Paper 07: Digital Libraries
• Paper 08: Knowledge Management
• Paper 09: Elements of Mathematics and Statistics
• Paper 10: Colloquium and Study of Subject

• Paper 11: Information Retrieval
• Paper 12: Content Management Systems
• Paper 13: Data Management
• Paper 14: Research Methodology and Technical Writing
• Paper 15: Seminar

• Paper 16: Scientometrics and Informetrics
• Paper 17: Web Based Information Systems and Services
• Paper 18: Semantic Web
• Paper 19: Elective
• Paper 20: Dissertation (begins in 3^rd semester with a guide assigned)

The library of the centre has, over the years, transformed itself into a hybrid library and provides a state of the art library services to its users.  The library subscribes to 300 highly ranked journals in the areas of interest to the Centre.  Library has a collection of around 25,000 books, 500 CDs, 15,000 back issues of journals and provides access to about 450 e-journals.  The consortium of ISI Library provides access to those journals, which are available in other centres of the Institute.  Further, there are facilities to access e-journals both full-text & secondary and the library OPAC from desktops.

The Library has a rich collection in the area of Library and Information Science and related topics. There are about 10,000 books and library is subscribing to more than 75 International and National journals of repute in this special area.  Library also has online access to Library and Information Science Abstract (LISA).  Special collection of Prof. S.R Ranganathan, comprising of about 500 valuable books is in the possession of the ISI (Bangalore) Library.