Ph.D. in Library Science?

Does anyone know of a DL Ph.D. in Library Science program? I have checked with all the Ph.D programs in Library Science that I know about and have come up dry. There are a number of DL masters programs, but apparently no doctoral programs by DL.

Anyone have any ideas?

 

Some of the South African technikons offer a D Tech by research in Library Science. I am sure i have seen it before, but I can't remember exactly which one, although I would start with South Africa Technikon and Techikon Pretoria. Good luck.

 

Bear in mind that the Technikons focus mainly on undergraduate education. For example, in 2000 Technikon Pretoria had 33,300 students, of which just 44 were doctoral students.

 

BG14 states that there are non-residential doctoral programs in "Library and Information Science" at the following schools:
Charles Sturt University
University of South Africa
Doctoral programs requiring "some residency" can be found at:
Nova Southeastern University
University of Arizona
University of Wales (Aberystwyth)
My understanding (decidedly imperfect) is that in the rarefied atmosphere of doctoral study there is sometimes little difference between Library Science and Data Management. Perhaps coming at it from that angle would yield more possibilities.
Best of luck,
Jack

 

I almost forgot to mention Union Institute and University, where you can create your own interdisciplinary PhD program in virtually any subject(s).
Jack

 

I don't know where you might find it, but doing a Ph.D in library science is a very good idea. It is hard to imagine a more marketable academic credential. Good Luck. You won't go wanting for a job. (If you don't want a job, let me suggest a Ph.D in Middle English literature, or better yet, theology...just kidding)

Craig (a student of English and theology)

Craig

 

Craig - Once upon a time, during a conversation with a colleague, I happened to mention that I was interested in earning a PhD in Philosophy. I was somewhat surprised by his response, "Oh, I didn't know that people still did that." I, for one, am glad that there are people out there studying Middle English Literature and Theology.
Jack

 

Thanks for the info. I've talked to most of these programs, except UNISA (from whom I cannot get a response). In general, the news hasn't been great:

CSU - can't get a definitive answer about residency issues,
Nova Southeastern - no ALA-accreditation, so it's not useful,
Arizona - program has been suspended,
Wales - three-month residency
Union - very expensive and not ALA-accredited

I was hoping that CSU would work out, but I'm seriously doubting it at this point.

 

Yes, many people think of it as a rather stuffy "old-fashioned" area, but with all of the work in digital libraries, knowledge management, and information policy it's actually a very vibrant field.

 

How about taking another approach? Think in terms of educational management, administration and leadership. May be an EdD with a focus on library issues.

 

Jack: Thanks, and I agree--you have to study where your interests lie. There were always a lot of areas where I knew there was money, but my heart was always in the humanities. I just never could get excited by other more "skill-oriented" fields. But if I were going to be motivated by degree marketability, Library Science would for me be high on the list. Somebody, I think Napolean, said something like "education is not knowing material but knowing where to find it." (If he did not say that, he should have.) And in a library you get paid for being surrounded by books--and you can always work in the humanities section.

Cheers,
Craig

 

PhD in Library Science ?

I am an amateur genealogist... how well would a program in Library Science mesh with genealogy?

OK... I'll admit... I'm not sure exactly what Library Science encompasses... I'm sure that it must be more than reshelving books... If logic were to ever apply... this might be an interesting degree program?

Comments from the "pro's?"

BruceP

 

It is important to point out that the ALA accredits master degree programs and not doctoral programs. Reference: http://www.ala.org/alaorg/oa/lisdir.html

The Nova Ph.D. in information science is geared for librarians focusing on information storage and retrieval. A viable option and you can reference the program description at: http://scis.nova.edu/

John

 

the search for the science of the library

this is an area close to my heart...I have been ferreting out a viable program and it looks as though the COWAN UNIVERSITY in Austrailia might yield up certain asepcts that are worth following...I am NOT convinced that accreditation is essential since the MLS is the "meal ticket" to trench-warfare library work but the PhD seems to indicate a research-oriented professiorial type thus maybe a subject area doctorate might be better than the infinetessimal (sic) information science route...heavy computers and little hands on with books...a prof I had when doing my MLS in "Library Administration" said that if you want to work with books then do NOT go into library science...this has proved somewhat valid although I still (as a director of a small rural/urban public library) manage to get in some quality biblio time but the direction is decidedly CYberianship...reading is now defunct unless it is fiction and even then it is predictable (sic) and borders on the precious...at any rate, the Union Institute (where I just dropped out from - sorry about this synytax) is not worth the price or the effort.unless you enjoy doing your own thing that will get you nowhere...as mentioned I think that this site will yield up information that you can use...the folks here are knowledgable and as such I value what these people say (e.g. Tracey really knows his stuff as does Seibel)...so come back with whatever you find...I do NOT like NOVA for "whatever" reasons and I tend to want to go with a school that has a decent reputation as this means a lot to me...hope you have some insight here...good luck. imperoo

 

John, thanks for the info. You are correct - ALA accredits masters programs because that is considered the terminal degree. An unwritten/unspoken "rule" is that doctoral programs from ALA-master's programs are by extension accredited as well. And that is the problem with Nova, their MS in Info Science isn't accredited by ALA. Because the masters isn't accredited, the Nova doctoral program will not suffice in those cases where an ALA-accredited degree is required. In academic libraries, an ALA accredited degree is an absolute requirement, a non-ALA (or the appropriate foreign agency) degree is pretty much useless. This rigidity is rather counterproductive, but it is a fact of life.

 

"...In academic libraries, an ALA accredited degree is an absolute requirement, a non-ALA (or the appropriate foreign agency) degree is pretty much useless. This rigidity is rather counterproductive, but it is a fact of life."


Out of curiosity, what are such appropriate foreign agencies,(such as in UK, South Africa and Australia)? Any ideas?

 

John, thanks for the info. You are correct - ALA accredits masters programs because that is considered the terminal degree. An unwritten/unspoken "rule" is that doctoral programs from ALA-master's programs are by extension accredited as well. And that is the problem with Nova, their MS in Info Science isn't accredited by ALA. Because the masters isn't accredited, the Nova doctoral program will not suffice in those cases where an ALA-accredited degree is required. In academic libraries, an ALA accredited degree is an absolute requirement, a non-ALA (or the appropriate foreign agency) degree is pretty much useless. This rigidity is rather counterproductive, but it is a fact of life.

 

In Australia, programs are "approved" by ALIA. In the UK. it appears to be the TLA (the Library Assocation), in South Africa I really have no idea.

 

South Africa has Library and Information Association of South Africa (LIASA). I'm not sure that it's relevant though. Those familiar with South African system will not be surprised that SAQA is establishing a Standards Generating Body (SGB) for "Library and Information Studies." See Government Gazette from 15 Feb 2002.

Groetjes,
Gert

 

Hi there,

to find more information about library associations worldwide try IFLA (International Federation of Library Associations) under:
http://www.ifla.org/

By the way a LIS degree ( I have a Diploma in LIS), can get you pretty easily into IT positions, although you have to find a corporation that is open enough to invite you to an interview. But that also depends on your choice of majors, I had scientific libraries and electronic libraries. Trouble only that back then (1995) German libraries couldn´t really offer me the right job, this is how I found the way into IT,...
Looking back, the combination of library mangement (incl. acconting and administration), IT (databases, information systems and information science (incl. communication) plus project management, could not have prepared me better for the current market. Though, the fight against the old fashioned librarian picture is a bit daunting ...

Cheers,

Michaela