In an era defined by digital advancements, the traditional library—a repository of printed books and periodicals—is facing transformative challenges and opportunities. Libraries are evolving; their roles and services, in fact their very reason for existing, are being reshaped by our dynamic digital landscape.

To anyone questioning the role of libraries or even their survival in the digital age, a Washington Post article noted that “libraries have endured for centuries because each generation has reshaped the library in its own image, with new intellectual agendas and new buildings that reflect the priorities of the community and the day.”

Decreased funding and book bans notwithstanding, libraries are more entrenched in our communities than ever—one positive outcome of the COVID-19 pandemic. Libraries have increasingly become fulcrums of their communities, where patrons can find everything from social services and workforce development programs to digital literacy training and inclusive, diverse spaces.

The new roles that libraries are assuming also demand new skills and expertise from librarians to remain adaptable and effective. Automation and AI integration, as well as continued expansion of remote and digital library services, will require librarians to be proficient in digital information management, virtual programming, and even cyber security.

“Ultimately, the evolving nature of librarianship demands a higher level of education and training than ever before. As libraries continue to serve as community hubs, technology centers, and information literacy advocates, MLIS programs provide the essential foundation for professionals to thrive in a dynamic and increasingly digital landscape,” says Anthony Chow, director, SJSU School of Information

Read on to find out about several programs that are ensuring that future librarians have the right stuff, not just to survive but to thrive in this digital age.

San José State University

The largest and most diverse program in the country, the MLIS at San José State University School of Information (iSchool) has been continuously accredited by the American Library Association since 1969.

Fully online and asynchronous, the MLIS program provides maximum flexibility for students—a huge benefit to the iSchool’s 3,000 students, 75 percent of whom are working adults. SJSU also attracts numerous international students who complete their degrees remotely, even engaging in virtual and physical internship opportunities.

What differentiates SJSU’s MLIS program from others “is its commitment to innovation, accessibility, and career-focused learning. As an entirely online program, it leverages digital education to reach a diverse, global student body while incorporating artificial intelligence, data-driven decision-making, and emerging trends into the curriculum,” says SJSU School of Information Director Anthony Chow.

For new librarians, the challenges today are numerous. The rapid advancement of technology and the technical expertise it requires to function effectively are a given. But “new librarians must be prepared to engage in outreach, advocacy, and community programming while balancing traditional roles in collection management and research support,” says Chow.

The SJSU MLIS program is designed to meet these challenges by offering an interdisciplinary, technology-focused curriculum that prepares students to work in myriad information science–focused environments. The competency-based curriculum fosters critical thinking, core professional skills, and cross-domain knowledge—all skills needed for a diverse job landscape.

The MLIS program is built around 14 specialized career pathways that are closely aligned with those in the annual MLIS Skills at Work report—an analysis of in-demand skills and hiring trends—that helps keep the curriculum current with the job market. Career pathways include academic librarianship, data science, digital curation, emerging technologies, archival studies and records management, information organization, leadership and management, web programming, youth services, and public, school, or special librarianship.

Technology is integral to every aspect of the program, from the method of delivery to the final project. All coursework is delivered online; in fact, the iSchool is regarded as a leader in digital learning innovation. Other tech aspects of the program include immersive virtual experiences through XR platforms, a dedicated library technology lab, and AI literacy, which is integrated into the coursework to ensure that graduates can leverage AI tools effectively in library settings. Students also have access to Coursera certifications at no extra cost, further enhancing their technical and professional skills sets.

The MLIS program requires a culminating experience, either an e-portfolio or a thesis. The e-portfolio allows students to demonstrate their competence and practical skills in real-world applications. “This blend of academic rigor, technological innovation, and real-world relevance positions SJSU’s MLIS program as a forward-thinking leader in library and information science education” says Chow.

Despite being fully online, the MLIS program fosters a strong sense of community for its students. Student groups, webinars, networking meetups, and interactive forums encourage student interaction, as do professional association chapters, including ALA, ASIS&T, and SLA. Students also have access to professors and advisors outside of class through one-on-one advising, faculty mentorship, online office hours, and live chat support from the Student Services Team.

The program provides strong career support, including a dedicated career consultant, internship and practicum opportunities, and alumni networking events. The program’s career-focused approach ensures that students graduate from the program with marketable skills and expertise. Graduates of SJSU’s MLIS program have successfully pursued careers in libraries—public, academic, and special—as well as digital asset and data management, archives, corporate information services, instructional design, and UX design.

“Our commitment to excellence, interdisciplinary learning, and forward–thinking curriculum design makes the SJSU MLIS program uniquely positioned to prepare the next generation of information professionals,” says Chow

For more information, visit https://ischool.sjsu.edu

University of South Carolina

“Today's librarians face a rapidly evolving information landscape that requires advanced education and specialized skills. The University of South Carolina's MLIS program recognizes that modern librarians must be proficient not only in traditional library services but also in technology, community engagement, and leadership,” says Lyda Fontes McCartin, director, School of Information Science.

Like many of her fellow program directors, McCartin sees multiple challenges for new librarians beyond the ever-changing technologies. New professionals will also contend with evolving user expectations, the need to demonstrate the continued relevance of library services, addressing equity of information access, and communicating with and determining how to best serve the needs of their communities.

To meet these challenges, the MLIS program balances structure and flexibility. Students are required to take six core courses (18 hours) on basic library and information science principles and fulfill a technology competency requirement. Students are also required to build an electronic portfolio—including their résumé, vision statement, and work samples—that demonstrates their expertise in the six core competencies including technology, community engagement, leadership, information organization, research, and professional development.

Students can customize the remainder of their master’s program with electives geared to their specific career interests. Elective topics include storytelling, children’s literature, diversity in libraries, digital archives, academic libraries, and planning library facilities. They also have the option to take elective classes in other USC departments or other institutions.

Another offer which MLIS students can avail themselves of is the specialized school library track with preparation for a national certification. Students can earn the MLIS and the School Library Certification concurrently, so that they can be employed in school libraries, as well as public and academic libraries.

The master’s program is fully online, apart from in-person practicums and internship opportunities for students. This format offers flexibility for the 400 students the program serves, many of whom are professionals working in libraries across the country. Other students are currently teachers, earning their MLIS and school library certification.

MLIS students have access to professional advisers in the Student Services Office, who help them tailor their coursework toward their career interests. Professors are available to meet outside of class and offer flexible office hours to accommodate working students. Beginning in July 2025, the program will have a dedicated MLIS career services person.

The success of USC’s MLIS program is evident in its strong job placement rates. Ninety-two percent of graduates are employed full-time, with 80 percent employed within the LIS profession. In fact, USC MLIS graduates have pursued careers in positions as diverse as collection development librarians, school library media specialists, government librarians, academic librarians, project archivists, digital resources librarians, assistant library directors, and research and instruction librarians for special collections.

With a consistent retention rate above 90 percent across all semesters and strong postgraduation outcomes, the MLIS program’s commitment to student success and professional preparation translates into real career opportunities. The program has also earned a ranking in the top 20 of ALA-accredited schools by U.S. News & World Report.

“What makes me most proud of our MLIS program at the University of South Carolina is how we empower students to shape their own professional identities while ensuring they master the core competencies of our field. We don't just prepare librarians; we develop adaptable information professionals ready to lead in a constantly evolving landscape," says McCartin.

For more information, visit: https://sc.edu/study/colleges_schools/cic/academic_programs/masters/master_of_library_and_information_science/

University of Kentucky School of Information Science

Library science courses were first offered at the University of Kentucky in 1911 and led to the establishment of a dedicated department in 1932. Today, the ALA-accredited School of Information Science educates 250 “future information professionals who engage in information management and services designed to connect people, information, and technology through communication.”

Acknowledging the numerous challenges facing libraries today, from funding and book bans to navigating the increasing flow of information and disinformation, Kentucky’s SIS prepares librarians to negotiate the ever-changing information landscape through an innovative curriculum, high-quality research, and professional services.

University of Kentucky’s SIS program is completely online and asynchronous, allowing students the flexibility to manage their responsibilities to school, work, and family. The program comprises four core courses oriented toward traditional librarianship; a fifth required course can be fulfilled with technology-focused electives. Students then select their remaining seven courses in areas like public or academic librarianship, health information, or data/information technologies. They can also opt to pursue a graduate certificate in instructional communication without having to take any additional hours.

Unique to UK-SIS is its long-standing program, Alternative Spring Break, which “offers students, on a competitive basis, the opportunity to spend spring break working for a unique information organization. “In the, past we’ve placed students at the National Library of Medicine, the Library of Congress, and the Smithsonian, “says Will Buntin, assistant director of student affairs.

Students can get acquainted with each other through their automatic inclusion in the school’s student “hub” on Canvas. The program utilizes the platform not only to push information to students but also to provide an avenue for students to interact with each other outside of class. A student group also organizes an annual student-led research presentation.

Resources including the Stuckert Career Center help students launch a job search. The student group also provides help by hosting professional development sessions with guest speakers. Nearly half of SIS graduates report working in public or academic libraries, while another 20 percent work as school librarians.

“We have an excellent group of dedicated staff and faculty who are ready to help students get the education, skills, and tools they need to either start their career in the information professions or enhance what they are already doing,” Buntin says.

For more information, visit: https://ci.uky.edu/sis

University of Denver

The mission of the University of Denver’s Library and Information Science Program is to prepare critical, creative, and reflective LIS leaders who will engage communities and drive meaningful change in today's information-rich society. The program provides “a degree built for the information era.”

The ALA-accredited MLIS program bridges traditional librarianship with cutting-edge information technology and data services. While there is a strong focus on technology, digital scholarship, and data management, students can specialize in academic or public libraries, archives, community engagement, digital libraries, or IT.

Also offered within Denver’s MLIS program is the cutting-edge Research Data Management concentration, which combines information science with research methods training. Areas of study include open access, digital preservation, scholarly communication, and research data management.

The MLIS offers both an on-campus and a fully online program. In-person classes provide face-to-face instruction and small class sizes. But students have the option to take classes in-person, online, or in a combination of the two formats. This “hyflex” format not only offers flexibility; it gives onsite and online students more opportunities to work together.

Central to the program’s identity is its close faculty advising. Each student is paired with a faculty member who provides guidance through course selection, research, internships, and career planning. Dedicated success advisers offer additional support to online students, and an internship team helps students obtain hands-on experiential opportunities.

Of the internship opportunities, Department Chair Dr. Krystyna Matusiak and Dr. Peter Organisciak, associate department chair, concur that, "What sets us apart is our emphasis on experiential learning and internships, ensuring our students graduate with both theoretical knowledge and practical experience."

Active student organizations including chapters of ALA, SAA, and ASIST help foster a strong student community. Students also connect through regular social events, guest speaker series, professional development opportunities, and an annual research conference, where students can showcase their work.

The program’s 180 students also benefit from its location in the city of Denver, which provides numerous opportunities to connect with libraries, archives, cultural and scientific institutions, as well as community-engaged research.

“Our strong curriculum and mentorship, combined with our location in Denver and close ties to the community of practice, support students in pursuing their dream careers and offer them a broad range of internship and employment opportunities,“ Matusiak says.

For more information, visit: https://morgridge.du.edu/academic-programs/library-information-science

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