Library Science

Library science (often termed library studies, bibliothecography, library economy) is an interdisciplinary or multidisciplinary field that applies the practices, perspectives, and tools of management, information technology, education, and other areas to libraries; the collection, organization, preservation, and dissemination of information resources; and the political economy of information. Martin Schrettinger, a Bavarian librarian, coined the discipline within his work (1808–1828) Versuch eines vollständigen Lehrbuchs der Bibliothek-Wissenschaft oder Anleitung zur vollkommenen Geschäftsführung eines Bibliothekars. Rather than classifying information based on nature-oriented elements, as was previously done in his Bavarian library, Schrettinger organized books in alphabetical order. The first American school for library science was founded by Melvil Dewey at Columbia University in 1887.

Historically, library science has also included archival science. This includes how information resources are organized to serve the needs of select user groups, how people interact with classification systems and technology, how information is acquired, evaluated and applied by people in and outside libraries as well as cross-culturally, how people are trained and educated for careers in libraries, the ethics that guide library service and organization, the legal status of libraries and information resources, and the applied science of computer technology used in documentation and records management.

There is no generally agreed-upon distinction between the terms library science,and librarianship, and to a certain extent they are interchangeable, perhaps differing most significantly in connotation. The term library science or library studies (LIS) is most often used; most librarians consider it as only a terminological variation, intended to emphasize the scientific and technical foundations of the subject and its relationship with information science. LIS should not be confused with information theory, the mathematical study of the concept of information. Library philosophy has been contrasted with library science as the study of the aims and justifications of librarianship as opposed to the development and refinement of techniques.

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Scholarships for Library Science Majors

Bullet name award deadline Link
 

Nancy Shaw McKee Scholarship

Clarion University of Pennsylvania, College of Arts and Sciences

Up to $22,030 Varies See Details

Description

The Nancy Shaw McKee Scholarship is available to majoring in the College of Arts and Sciences at Clarion University. Your selection for this award will be based on academic performance and financial need. In order to be considered for this award, you must first be nominated by a faculty member. Once nominated, you will need to submit a "Goals...

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Nancy Shaw McKee Scholarship

Clarion University of Pennsylvania, College of Arts and Sciences

award

Up to $22,030

deadline

Varies
See Details

Description

The Nancy Shaw McKee Scholarship is available to majoring in the College of Arts and Sciences at Clarion University. Your selection for this award will be based on academic performance and financial need. In order to be considered for this award, you must first be nominated by a faculty member. Once nominated, you will need to submit a "Goals...

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Helen A. Tegnell Memorial Scholarship

University of Maryland, College Park - College of Information Studies

Up to $16,000 Varies See Details

Description

The Helen A. Tegnell Memorial Scholarship is available to graduate students majoring in library science at the University of Maryland, College Park.

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Helen A. Tegnell Memorial Scholarship

University of Maryland, College Park - College of Information Studies

award

Up to $16,000

deadline

Varies
See Details

Description

The Helen A. Tegnell Memorial Scholarship is available to graduate students majoring in library science at the University of Maryland, College Park.

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Mississippi Library Commission Public Librarian Scholarship

Mississippi Library Commission

Up to $10,000 Varies See Details

Description

The Mississippi Library Commission Public Librarian Scholarship is open to students who are accepted to or enrolled in an ALA-accredited master's degree program. You must be employed in a Mississippi public library for at least 18 hours per week and have been employed in a Mississippi public library for at least one year. Also, you must commit...

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Mississippi Library Commission Public Librarian Scholarship

Mississippi Library Commission

award

Up to $10,000

deadline

Varies
See Details

Description

The Mississippi Library Commission Public Librarian Scholarship is open to students who are accepted to or enrolled in an ALA-accredited master's degree program. You must be employed in a Mississippi public library for at least 18 hours per week and have been employed in a Mississippi public library for at least one year. Also, you must commit...

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Beatrice Craig Scholarship

Sam Houston State University - College Education and Applied Science

$2,500 August 20, 2025 See Details

Description

The Beatrice Craig Scholarship is available to juniors and seniors at Sam Houston State University. You must be majoring in library science and/or be a SHSU library student assistant. You must also have a minimum 3.0 GPA, plan on returning to SHSU for at least one semester following, and demonstrate financial need this award to be eligible...

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Beatrice Craig Scholarship

Sam Houston State University - College Education and Applied Science

award

$2,500

deadline

August 20, 2025
See Details

Description

The Beatrice Craig Scholarship is available to juniors and seniors at Sam Houston State University. You must be majoring in library science and/or be a SHSU library student assistant. You must also have a minimum 3.0 GPA, plan on returning to SHSU for at least one semester following, and demonstrate financial need this award to be eligible...

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Noyes Library Association Scholarship

University of Maryland, College Park - College of Information Studies

$2,000 Varies See Details

Description

The Noyes Library Association Scholarship is available to MLS students at the University of Maryland, College Park. You must be interested in working with children in a public library setting to be considered for this award.

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Noyes Library Association Scholarship

University of Maryland, College Park - College of Information Studies

award

$2,000

deadline

Varies
See Details

Description

The Noyes Library Association Scholarship is available to MLS students at the University of Maryland, College Park. You must be interested in working with children in a public library setting to be considered for this award.

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Elizabeth Minutaglia Memorial Scholarship

St. John's University - Division of Library and Information Science

$2,000 Varies See Details

Description

The Elizabeth Minutaglia Memorial Scholarship is available to graduate students at St. John's University who are pursuing a degree in library and information sciences. Selection is based on academic distinction and professional competence in academic service-learning.

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Elizabeth Minutaglia Memorial Scholarship

St. John's University - Division of Library and Information Science

award

$2,000

deadline

Varies
See Details

Description

The Elizabeth Minutaglia Memorial Scholarship is available to graduate students at St. John's University who are pursuing a degree in library and information sciences. Selection is based on academic distinction and professional competence in academic service-learning.

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Martha Wong Scholarship

Texas Library and Archives Foundation

$2,000 September 15, 2025 See Details

Description

The Martha Wong Scholarship is available to students who are pursuing a degree from a library/information science graduate program or school library certification program in Texas. Selection is based on your educational and career goals.

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Martha Wong Scholarship

Texas Library and Archives Foundation

award

$2,000

deadline

September 15, 2025
See Details

Description

The Martha Wong Scholarship is available to students who are pursuing a degree from a library/information science graduate program or school library certification program in Texas. Selection is based on your educational and career goals.

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Mark Smith–Gloria Meraz Scholarship

Texas Library and Archives Foundation

$2,000 September 15, 2025 See Details

Description

The Mark Smith–Gloria Meraz Scholarship is available to students who are pursuing a degree from a library/information science graduate program or school library certification program in Texas. Selection is based on your educational and career goals.

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Mark Smith–Gloria Meraz Scholarship

Texas Library and Archives Foundation

award

$2,000

deadline

September 15, 2025
See Details

Description

The Mark Smith–Gloria Meraz Scholarship is available to students who are pursuing a degree from a library/information science graduate program or school library certification program in Texas. Selection is based on your educational and career goals.

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Will F. Muse Undergraduate Scholarship

North Iowa Area Community College

$1,300 Varies See Details

Description

The Will F. Muse Undergraduate Scholarship is available to full-time students at North Iowa Area Community College. You must be enrolled in a prebaccalaureate or career program to be considered for this award. Preference is given to residents of Cerro Gordo County.

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Will F. Muse Undergraduate Scholarship

North Iowa Area Community College

award

$1,300

deadline

Varies
See Details

Description

The Will F. Muse Undergraduate Scholarship is available to full-time students at North Iowa Area Community College. You must be enrolled in a prebaccalaureate or career program to be considered for this award. Preference is given to residents of Cerro Gordo County.

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Pauline H. Rich Memorial Endowed Scholarship

Montana State University-Billings

$1,100 September 30, 2025 See Details

Description

The Pauline H. Rich Memorial Endowed Scholarship is available to full- time English majors at Montana State University, Billings. You must be a resident of Montana and have a minimum 3.5 GPA to be eligible for this award. Preference for this award will be given to students interested in literary arts or library science. Part- time students...

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Pauline H. Rich Memorial Endowed Scholarship

Montana State University-Billings

award

$1,100

deadline

September 30, 2025
See Details

Description

The Pauline H. Rich Memorial Endowed Scholarship is available to full- time English majors at Montana State University, Billings. You must be a resident of Montana and have a minimum 3.5 GPA to be eligible for this award. Preference for this award will be given to students interested in literary arts or library science. Part- time students...

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