With almost 70 years’ experience in teaching library and information science, we were the first school of Information & Library Studies in Scotland, and one of the first in the United Kingdom. Here's why else you should study with us...
First-class teaching
Our cutting-edge curriculum provides an in-depth understanding of information and library work
We’re one of the largest providers of postgraduate training in Library and Information Studies in the UK, and teaching is consistently nominated for Teaching Excellence Awards.
Our Masters students have the opportunity to gain real-world practical experience via a first or second-semester placement with one of our placement partners, which include public, university, and special libraries in Central Scotland.
Our core teaching team have been awarded four Outstanding Teaching Certificates of Recognition for Teaching Excellence (2011-2014), and four Emerald Literati Awards for Excellence (2013, 2011, 2010, 2009).
Industrial and professional engagement
We've a strong track record of industrial and professional engagement, including a unique and nationally leading research and teaching partnership with Glasgow Life. It's one of the largest cultural consortiums in Europe and encompassing Glasgow City Libraries, which allows us to provide students with supervised professional placements to gain practical librarianship experience.
Professional engagement also allows us to embed practical projects into our classes, and ensures that we have regular guest speakers from industry to illustrate our taught subjects in practice.
Experts in our field
Our course teaching team have written a number of academic and professional textbooks, used as core components of Information Science teaching across the world.
Team members include:
Our staff also regularly contribute to professional conferences including:
- American Library Association
- International Federation Library Associations
- Internet Librarian International
- Librarian’s Information literacy Annual Conference
Internationally recognised and professionally accredited
Our postgraduate courses are internationally recognised, accredited by the Chartered Institute of Library & Information Professionals (CILIP), incorporating international partnerships with other professional bodies, including:
- ALA (United States)
- ALIA (Australia)
- LIANZA (New Zealand)
We’re also a member of the iSchools group, a partnership of the world’s leading information schools.
The department is also a regular contributor to professional conferences and exhibitions such as American Library Association (ALA). We were recent exhibitors at this year's American Library Association (ALA) Annual Mid-winter Conference and Exhibition in Chicago, USA.
World-class research
We’re one of the leading Information Science research groups in Scotland
Our library and information science research is world-class, focusing on the impact of information on people and society. We are directly engaged with library and information practice, including research and policy work with:
- Glasgow Life
- NHS
- the Scottish Library and Information Council
- CILIP
We’re one of the leading Information Science research groups (SiSRG) in Scotland in the UK.
Our staff are regular contributors to the leading international Information Science Index (ISI) ranked library and information science journals.
Our Masters students undertake research of the highest quality, with dissertation research recently being published in the top library and information science journals.
Our research is also consistently awarded Emerald Literati Awards.