The University of the West Indies, Mona

Important Notice:

Please be advised that the Department will not be accepting applications for the Master of Library and Information Studies (MLIS) Programme for the January 2026 intake.

This temporary suspension is to facilitate the phasing out of the current programme content and the introduction of a new curriculum, which will be launched in Semester One of the 2026-2027 academic year.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and thank you for your understanding as we work to enhance the quality and relevance of our academic offerings.

Programme Overview

This programme sets out to equip graduates with a bachelor’s degree in other disciplines with professional education in the field of library and information studies in order to prepare them to effectively manage library and information units and organizations in different types of environments.

Entry Requirements
To be admitted to the programme, applicants must be graduates of approved universities normally with at least a lower second class honours degree in any discipline. Previous work experience in libraries is an advantage but is not essential. Applicants are required to be computer literate, (that is, to have a basic knowledge of the operation of a computer and the software associated with it).

Duration

Full-time students will take TWO (2) academic years to complete the programme: ONE (1) year to complete all required courses and ONE (1) year part-time to complete the Research paper if Option 1{***} is selected or ONE (1) semester to do the TWO (2) courses for Option 2{**}.

Part-time students will take THREE (3) academic years to complete the programme: TWO (2) years to complete all required courses, and ONE (1) year part-time to complete the Research paper for Option 1{***} or ONE semester to do the TWO courses for Option 2 {**}.

Programme Layout

• Registration Form
• List of Courses

The student will be required to read TEN (10) semester courses, write a research paper of 10,000— 15,000 words, and earn an additional 3 credits from Practicum, making a total of 39 credits as shown below.

Students are required to obtain a minimum of thirty-nine (39) credits consisting of:

Ten 3-credit courses 30 credits

Six weeks practicum (fieldwork) 3 credits

Research Paper 10,000—15,000 words 6 credits (Option 1)

Independent Study 3 credits (Option 2)

Trends & Issues in the Library & Information Environment 3 credits (Option 2)

Year One; Semester I

Core Courses: (3 credits each)

LIBS6001 - Foundations of Library and Information Studies

LIBS6106 - Management of Libraries &Information Units

LIBS6301 - Bibliography and Reference Methods and Materials

LIBS6501 - Information Technology I

(Resource Course)

*LIBS6306 – Legal Information Resource Management

Electives 

**LIBS6901 - Trends & Issues in the Library & Information Environment

Year One; Semester II

Core Course: (3 credits)

LIBS6201 – Cataloguing & Metadata   

LIBS6401 - Research Methods in Library & Information Studies

LIBS6202 - Subject Analysis and Indexing in Information Retrieval

LIBS6504 - Integrated Library Systems   

Electives: (3 credits each)
LIBS6003 - Information Literacy Instruction
LIBS6503 - Introduction to Digital Libraries
LIBS6801 – Copyright Issues Affecting Caribbean Libraries and Information Services

Year Two; Semester I

LIBS6899 - Research Paper (6 credits) OPTION 1

OR

LIBS6902 - Independent Study (3 credits) OPTION 2

Students opting for this should do LIBS6901 in Semester I Year I

Year Two; Semester II

LIBS6899 - Research Paper (6 credits) OPTION 1

Year Two (Summer) Semester III

LIBS6904 - Practicum in Library and Information Studies – six weeks (3 credits)

 * All students must do a Resource-based course; only LIBS6801 and LIBS6306 are offered.