5 Great Books About Library Science

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Library Science Books

  • Foundations of Library and Information Science
  • This Book Is Overdue!
  • Everything is Miscellaneous: The Power of the New Digital Disorder
  • The Portable MLIS: Insights by Experts
  • Developing Library and Information Center Collections

Almost every bookworm has dreamed of working in a library at some point, but many people are surprised to realize that most libraries desire employees who have a Master's in Library Science degree. This very important field studies the ways that society collects, manages, and shares information. To learn more about this fascinating subject, check out these books to decide if a career in library and information sciences is right for you.

1. Foundations of Library and Information Science by Richard E. Rubin

This book is one of the most common introductory texts to this field for a reason. It provides a history of libraries while looking at their place in modern society. The logical development of library science over the ages is discovered in simple and easy to understand language. Foundations of Library and Information Science is highly recommended for those who wish to be a librarian, because it really explains the reasons behind the courses studied in Library Science.

2. This Book Is Overdue! by Marilyn Johnson

This Book Is Overdue!: How Librarians and Cybrarians Can Save Us All is a great read for both librarians and people not even interested in the field of information sciences. It has a humorous and refreshingly honest tone that people of all backgrounds will enjoy. According to the American Library Association, this book is a great collection of resources for those who want to include technology in the library field. This book really examines how libraries can connect with technology in the 21st century to remain relevant.

3. Everything is Miscellaneous: The Power of the New Digital Disorder by David Weinberger

This book does not focus on traditional library science, but it applies the key practices and concepts of library science to digital information. Weinberger focuses on ways that websites organize, store, and catalog information, and then he tries to apply these principles to library science. This book is written more for the average reader than a class on library science, but it makes some very interesting points about how the internet is altering the field of information science.

4. The Portable MLIS: Insights by Experts by Ken Haycock

No list of books about library science is complete without a collection of advice from key professionals within the field. Experts provide information about their specific fields, so this book is useful for both newcomers and experienced people in library science. Overall, it really helps people to understand what a librarian does and why their task is so important. This helpful collection gives advice from people who truly know how to make a difference.

5. Developing Library and Information Center Collections by G. Edward Evans

This book is particularly beneficial because the collections in a library are the key appeal to customers. Developing Library and Information Center Collections provides a modern look at how librarians can use technology to build a useful and comprehensive collection in their library. The newly updated version gives more information about items such as electronic materials and laws about resource sharing, so it is very helpful for any librarian who will be building a new collection anytime soon.

Related Resource: 30 Most Affordable Top Ranked Schools for an Online Master's in Library Science Degree

These five books are all fantastic, because they really focus on the place of libraries and information within modern society. Even if you do not plan to work in a library, these books provide invaluable insight that is important in many different fields. As more and more data is generated from online websites, companies are realizing that books about library science may provide the answer to their pressing need for information storage.