Education

Bachelor of Education in Library Science

The Bachelor of Education in Library Science is a four-year programme that prepares students for managing school libraries and teaching library science in educational institutions. Students study library science, information management, education theory, teaching methods and curriculum development. The programme is offered at Kenyatta University as a specialised education degree combining library science with teaching qualifications.

Students develop competencies in library management, information organisation, cataloguing, classification, educational psychology, teaching methods, curriculum development and educational assessment. They learn to manage school libraries, organise information resources, teach information literacy and support learning through library services. The programme covers library science content alongside education theory.

In Kenya, school libraries are essential for supporting the Competency-Based Curriculum which emphasises research and independent learning. TSC employs teacher-librarians. Kenyatta University is the primary institution offering this programme at KES 183,600 per year. Kenya's push for literacy and information access in schools creates demand for qualified library science teachers. Graduates find roles in school libraries, educational institutions, archives and information centres.

Teaching is delivered through lectures, library practicum, teaching practice, micro-teaching, cataloguing sessions and research projects. Students develop library management skills, create information literacy programmes, teach library science classes and undertake teaching practice. The programme is offered in full-time, ODEL and continuing education modes with January and September intakes.

Graduates pursue careers as school librarians, teacher-librarians, library coordinators, information managers, education officers and archivists. Some work in school libraries managing resources and supporting learning. Others join educational institutions, archives or information centres.

This programme is ideal for individuals with organisational skills, love for reading and information management and teaching passion. Students who enjoy libraries, information systems and education will find this programme particularly fulfilling.

Duration: 4 years
Public, up to: Ksh 183,600
Private, up to: Ksh 188,100
Job market: Low

The programme

What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time
Attachment: 3 months
Average class: 30 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

10 subjects

Library Management and Administration
Cataloguing and Classification
Information Organisation and Retrieval
Educational Psychology and Learning Theory
Teaching Methods for Library Science
Curriculum Development and Information Literacy
Collection Development and Management
Reference Services and Information Sources
Educational Technology in Libraries
Research Methods in Library and Information Science

Modules

12 in the programme

Introduction to Education
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Foundations of education including philosophy, history and sociology of education
Introduction to Library Science
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Foundations of library and information science including history, types and functions of libraries
Cataloguing and Classification
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Principles of cataloguing, classification systems including DDC and LC, and metadata creation
Educational Psychology
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Psychological principles of learning and development relevant to library science education
Information Organisation and Retrieval
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Information organisation principles, indexing, abstracting and information retrieval systems
Teaching Methods for Library Science
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Teaching strategies and methods for library science and information literacy in schools
Collection Development and Management
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Collection development policies, selection, acquisition, weeding and collection evaluation
Reference Services and Information Sources
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Reference Services and Information Sources: Reference services, information sources and user education in library settings Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relev...
Curriculum Development and Information Literacy
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Curriculum design for information literacy and CBC implementation for research skills
Educational Technology in Libraries
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Digital libraries, library management systems, e-resources and technology integration
Research Project
Year 4Semester 23 creditsCore
Independent research on library science education producing a scholarly dissertation
Teaching Practice and Library Practicum
Year 4Semester 36 creditsCore
Teaching Practice and Library Practicum: Supervised teaching practice and library practicum in educational institutions Covers instructional strategies, assessment methods, and educational theory.

Specialisations

Information Literacy Education
Specialization in Information Literacy Education, preparing graduates for careers such as teacher. This specialisation equips graduates with discipline-specific competencies for professional practice in Kenya and the East African region, with pathways to postgraduate study and professional certification.
Digital Libraries
Specialization in Digital Libraries, preparing graduates for careers such as it-trainer. This specialisation equips graduates with discipline-specific competencies for professional practice in Kenya and the East African region, with pathways to postgraduate study and professional certification.
Curriculum Development
Specialization in Curriculum Development, preparing graduates for careers such as curriculum-developer.
School Library Management
Specialization in School Library Management, preparing graduates for careers such as teacher. This specialisation equips graduates with discipline-specific competencies for professional practice in Kenya and the East African region, with pathways to postgraduate study and professional certification.
Archives Management
Specialization in Archives Management, preparing graduates for careers such as teacher. This specialisation equips graduates with discipline-specific competencies for professional practice in Kenya and the East African region, with pathways to postgraduate study and professional certification.
Cataloguing and Classification
Specialization in Cataloguing and Classification, preparing graduates for careers such as teacher. This specialisation equips graduates with discipline-specific competencies for professional practice in Kenya and the East African region, with pathways to postgraduate study and professional certification.

A day as a student

A typical day combines morning lectures on library science or education theory with afternoon library practicum or teaching practice. Students may catalogue resources, develop information literacy programmes, manage library systems or teach library science classes.

The trade offs

In its favour

Combines teaching with specialised library management skills
Relevant to digital learning and information literacy
Diverse career paths in education and information management
Opportunity to support research and independent learning

Against it

Limited number of school librarian positions in Kenya
Some schools may not have established libraries
Career progression may require additional qualifications
May require combining with another teaching subject for employability

What it costs

Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.

What it costs, and where

Against 243 education courses

Public110k to 184k

110k at Garissa University184k at Kenyatta University

Private105k to 188k

105k at Mount Kenya University188k at Kabarak University

Annual tuition in Kenyan shillings, rounded. The upright tick is the median for this field, so a bar sitting entirely to its right is an expensive programme by the standards of its own subject.

The fine print

KU B.Ed Library 183,600/yr; Garissa 109,650/yr; Kabarak 188,100/yr; MKU 105,000/yr. Src: mawese, Tuko, Kabarak, MKU

Students may access HELB loans and county bursaries. Some libraries and information centres offer attachment opportunities.

Funding options

Higher Education Loans Board (HELB)
LoanKsh 60,000
National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF)
Bursary
County Government Bursaries
Bursary

Scholarships

4 recorded

Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan students admitted to recognised universities
County Government Bursaries
BursaryKenyan
Residents of respective counties
Higher Education Fund (HEF)
BursaryKenyan
Kenyan undergraduate students placed by KUCCPS in public universities
TSC Teacher Training Support
BursaryKenyan
Teachers and trainee teachers in recognised institutions

Getting in

The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C+
Alternative entry: Relevant diploma or equivalent qualification

English
C+
Mathematics A/B or any Group II
C
Any Group III subject
C+
Any Group III, IV or V subject
C+

How you are assessed

4 components

Research Project
Coursework100% of the mark
Continuous Assessment Tests (CATs)
Coursework25% of the mark
Library Practicum and Teaching Practice
Coursework35% of the mark
Final Examination
Coursework40% of the mark

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). TSC registration is required for teaching in public schools in Kenya.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
InstitutionalRequired
Teachers Service Commission (TSC)
InstitutionalRequired

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

5 roles

School Librarian
Low demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 110,000
Manages school libraries and supports learning through information services
Library Coordinator
Low demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 130,000
Coordinates library services across multiple schools or institutions
Information Manager
Moderate demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 140,000
Manages information resources and systems in organisations
Teacher-Librarian
Low demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 120,000
Combines teaching with library management in educational institutions
Archivist
Low demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 130,000
Manages archives and records in educational or government institutions

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as school librarians, teacher-librarians, library coordinators, information managers, education officers and archivists in school libraries, educational institutions, archives and information centres.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Microsoft Excel
SoftwarePrimary
Spreadsheet for educational data management, extension planning and IT project tracking.
PowerPoint
SoftwarePrimary
Presentation tool for teaching, farmer training and extension education sessions.
SPSS
Software
Statistical analysis software for educational and extension research.
Google Classroom
Software
Learning management system for agricultural education and online teaching.
KoboToolbox
Software
Mobile data collection tool for field surveys and extension needs assessment.

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Library science is just about shelving books
Library science involves information management, cataloguing, digital systems, research support and teaching information literacy.
School librarians are not real teachers
Teacher-librarians have education degrees and TSC registration, combining teaching with library management.
Libraries are becoming obsolete with the internet
School libraries are evolving into digital learning hubs, making library science skills more relevant than ever.
There are no jobs in library science
Schools, universities, archives, government departments and corporate organisations employ library science professionals.