Best Online Degrees in: Library Science
Editor’s Picks: Online Schools for Library Science
The award for best flexibility in a school offering an online bachelor’s degree in library science goes to Ashford University. They give their students the freedom to choose when and where they work on their assignments, just as long as they are turned in by the deadline. Ashford has been given an A+ rating for its flexibility by students on College Prowler.
Ashford University is being given the award for best career support in a school offering an online bachelor’s degree in library science. They provide videos that students can watch to learn about the services available to them and get career advice. Students and alumni can also get assistance writing their resumes and cover letters, preparing for interviews, and searching for job openings through the university’s Career Services.
The award for best financial support in a school offering an online bachelor’s degree in library science goes to Ashford University. Their Online Financial Services will work with each student and help them receive the maximum amount of financial aid available to them. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, 93% of full-time beginning undergraduate students at Ashford are receiving some type of financial aid.
Ashford University wins the award for best technology support in a school offering an online bachelor’s degree in library science. Their virtual classroom is regularly updated with the latest technology in online education and is designed to be user-friendly and easy to navigate. Ashford has also developed apps for a variety of mobile devices, including tablets, smartphones, iPads, and Kindle Fires that students can download. Students have ranked Ashford’s tech support No. 9 in the nation on College Prowler.
The award for best disability support in a school offering an online bachelor’s degree in library science goes to Ashford University. They provide assistive software, tutoring, advising, community referrals, and allow extra time for completing assignments and exams. The staff in the university’s Office of Student Access and Wellness works with students on an individual basis to assess their needs and find the appropriate accommodations to enable them to earn their degree.
Ashford University wins the award for the best library and research support in a school offering an online bachelor’s degree in library science. Ashford provides their online students with numerous research resources and research assistance through the library staff and instructional aids. Ashford’s virtual library contains an expansive collection of e-books, government publications, reports, legal documents, scholarly and general magazines, newspaper articles, company profiles, and research databases.
The award for the best learning support in a school offering an online bachelor’s degree in library science is being given to Ashford University. Academic advisors and library staff are available to assist students throughout their tenure at Ashford and provide support in any way they can. Ashford has designed their virtual classrooms to be easy to navigate, allowing students to efficiently find their assignments, instructor notes, and any other information they need.
The award for best faculty accessibility in a school offering an online bachelor’s degree in library science goes to Ashford University. Faculty members provide students with their email addresses, and many provide their phone numbers and office hours, allowing students to contact them directly with any questions or concerns. Students can also communicate with their instructors through discussion forums in Ashford’s virtual classroom.
The award for best prior learning options in a school offering an online bachelor’s degree in library science is being given to Ashford University. Students are able to earn credits based on their military training, professional training and experience, and by completing the College Level Examination Program. Also, Ashford will evaluate a student’s previously-earned credits and transfer ones that are eligible and have been earned from an accredited college or university.
Cataloging and Classification. In this course, students learn how to catalog and classify various library materials using information retrieval systems. Students also learn how to analyze information packages for subject content and then effectively describe resources such as books, maps, music, images, and electronic information for inclusion in catalogs.
Students in a library science program will complete a wide range of assignments and projects. Students in classes that involve library technology will perform exercises on relevant technology and will be asked to demonstrate their technical proficiency in working with computers, computer programs, and databases in quizzes, midterms, and final exams. Students may also be asked to complete a practicum, or supervised work in a library or information center designed to equip students with operational library experience. Along with performing designated duties during the practicum, students are often asked to write about the what they learn on the job for course credit.
A bachelor’s degree in library science alone is not enough to qualify graduates for most librarian positions. Students must complete a master’s degree in library science, information science, or a closely related area to become a librarian, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Graduating from a program accredited by the American Library Association may lead to better job prospects, the BLS notes.
Librarians work in public and academic libraries, school libraries, and special libraries, such as corporate, government, law, and medical libraries. School librarians, or school media specialists, work with children in K-12 schools and help them make use of school library resources; they may also help teachers find special instructional materials for class. Most states require school librarians to be licensed or certified. The median yearly salary for librarians was $54,500, the BLS noted.
With a minimum of a bachelor’s degree, students may become archivists, although a master’s degree may be preferred by many employers. These professionals organize and manage archives and preserve and maintain historical documents and records, among other tasks. The median yearly salary for archivists was $45,200, the BLS noted.
Students may also pursue full or part-time work as library technicians and assistants. These library workers serve in a paraprofessional role, assisting trained librarians in sorting and re-shelving books and other library materials, helping library patrons find what they are searching for, and even helping out with community literacy programs. The median hourly wage for library technicians was $14.36, according to the BLS. Salaries for all careers in library and information science vary greatly depending on your level of experience and education, where you live, the size of the library or information center you work for, and other considerations.