Diploma in Library and Information Science: Course Details, Eligibility, Admission, Fees, Duration

Sakshi Chaudhary

Diploma in Library and Information Science is a 1-year course that focuses on a comprehensive understanding of information management, retrieval, classification, and organization by using taxonomies and metadata methods. DLIS graduates can obtain jobs such as Librarian, Information Executive, Documentation Officer, Information Analyst, etc.

About DLIS Course

DLIS full form is Diploma in Library and Information Science. The course equips students with fundamentals of library science practices and principles with gaining proficiency in library automation systems and techniques. The DLIS course duration is one year. 

DLIS Admission 2023 requires students to have a minimum of 45-50% in 10+2 (high school degree) from a recognized board. Admission to the course is usually done on a merit basis but a few colleges like LPU conduct an entrance exam known as LPU NEST. A Diploma in library and information science syllabus gives students an understanding of the functioning and management of specialized libraries such as academic, public, government, medical, law, etc.

With a diploma in library and information science, graduates can work in different areas such as museums, libraries, information centers, academic institutions, etc. The average salary of a DLIS graduate is in the range of INR 2.6-4 LPA.

Why Choose the Diploma in Library and Information Science Course?

A Diploma in Library and Information Science course puts more emphasis on the importance of libraries along with technology. Below are a few points that give us in-depth insight into why to choose the DLIS course:

• A diploma in library and information science course helps student give an understanding of topics like cataloging, classification, reference services, and information retrieval. 
• The course provides diverse opportunities to students in areas like libraries, archives, museums, and other information centers.
• The latest technology in library and information science includes RFID implementation, advanced collection management through ERM, IoT, etc., leading to high demand for skilled professionals.
• Due to the rapid development of technology and its usage in the domain job opportunities will grow by 7% in the next 10 years, as per Bureau of labor statistics.

Who Should Pursue a DLIS Course?

Below are the points regarding who should pursue a diploma in library science and information science:

• Students interested in pursuing a career in work in information centers such as libraries, archives, and museums can pursue the DLIS course.
• Individuals interested in getting knowledge in collection management, research methodology, and information systems can pursue this course.
• Individuals who want to develop expertise in library science tools to manage, organize, and retrieve information can enroll in this course.

DLIS Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility for the DLIS course depends on the respective colleges. In general, the standard criteria are mentioned below:

• The eligibility for the DLIS course in India requires the aspirants to complete their 10+2 (high school degree) with a minimum of 45- 50% aggregate marks.
• A relaxation of 5% marks is given to OBC/SC/ST candidates.
• Students must clear the entrance examinations such as LPUNEST, etc., as per the college requirement.
• The minimum age to apply for the course is 17 years.

Diploma in Library and Information Science Admission 2023

The admission procedure for the Diploma in Library and Information Science course is mainly done on a merit basis, but a few colleges may also conduct an entrance exam as an additional requirement. Listed below is the procedure to get admission to the library science course:

• Step 1: Students must meet a basic diploma in library and information science eligibility criteria.
• Step 2: Further, the candidate should fill out the application form available through online and offline mode.
• Step 3: If required by the college, the candidate should clear the entrance exam score.
• Step 4: The colleges will further call students for counseling sessions.
• Step 5: Students must pay the admission fees and provide the necessary documentation for verification.

DLIS Entrance Exams

Diploma in Library and Information Science admission includes entrance exams at the institute level such as LPU NEST. The admission is done mainly on a merit basis. Below mentioned are details regarding LPU NEST:

• The pattern of the exam is MCQ based.
• The subjects consist of general awareness, reasoning aptitude, and subject-specific questions.
• The subject-specific questions are based on 11th & 12th grade fundamental concepts.
• The duration of the exam is 90 mins.
• For every correct answer student is awarded 1 mark.

Read More: LPU NEST

Diploma in Library and Information Science Fees Details

The average DLIS course fee is in the range of INR 5,000-50,000. Below is a list of the best library and information science diploma course colleges, along with their fee breakdown:

Types of Library and Information Science Diploma Courses

The course has full-time, part-time, and distance learning options available to students. The following DLIS course details are provided below:

Distance Diploma in Library and Information Science Course

Below are the details of the diploma in library and information science distance education:

• The distance diploma in library and information science courses can be pursued by colleges like VMOU and LPU.
• The average course fee is in the range of INR 7,000-20,000.
• The students should have completed 10+2 (high school degree) with at least 45% of the marks.
• The duration of the course is one year, which can be extended to a maximum of three years.

Top DLIS Colleges in India

Library science courses are gaining popularity in India, and as a result, there is an increase in the number of colleges providing the courses at diploma, UG, and PG levels. Below is a list of the top 10 colleges providing diploma in library and information science courses in India:

Diploma in Library and Information Science Syllabus and Subjects 

A diploma in library and information science syllabus covers various topics from the foundation of library and information science to studying web technologies for libraries. The curriculum also offers practical training to develop necessary skill sets. Some of the common subjects in the DLIS course are:

• Library Management
• Information Retrieval Systems and Techniques
• Basics of Digital Libraries
• Cataloging Principles and Practices
• Library Classification
• Research Methods in Library and Information Science

Read More: DLIS Syllabus and Subjects

DLIS Course Comparison

A DLIS (Diploma in Library and Information Science) course students knowledge about different aspects of library management, information organization & retrieval, etc. However, there are similar courses that also cover the same area of study. Below is a comparison of the DLIS course with other courses:

DLIS vs BLIS

The table below showcases the differences between a Diploma in Library and Information Science and a Bachelor of Library and Information Science:

Read More: BLIS

Courses After Diploma in Library and Information Science

After completion of DLIS, the candidates can choose to take up jobs or continue with even higher studies. An additional degree in the same field improves job opportunities. The graduates can specialize in specific areas of the subject. Some higher education options after a library diploma are:

• B.Lib.I.Sc
• M.Lib.I.Sc
• Postgraduate Diploma in Digital Libraries
• PhD
• MBA
• M.Phil

Career Options After Diploma in Library and Information Science

After completion of the diploma in library and information science course, graduates can work in both the private and public sectors in a variety of roles. Some of the opportunities available to DLIS graduates are:

• Information Consultant
• Archivist
• Library Assistant
• Librarian
• Documentation Officer
• Library Records Manager

DLIS Salary in India

The average salary for a diploma in library and information science graduate is in the range of INR 2.6-4 LPA (source: PayScale). The salaries and annual earnings depend on the specific kind of practice and performance, expertise, and other related aspects. Students can further change this salary by obtaining higher education and experience.

Read More: DLIS Salary

Skills to Excel as a Diploma Library and Information Science Graduate

In order to pursue a career in library and information science, it is important to have a certain set of skills and deep subject knowledge. Below are a few skills required by a library science diploma graduate:

• Analytical Skill
• Critical Thinking Skill
• Information Organization Skill
• Research Skills
• Technological Competence
• Communication Skill
• Attention to Detail