Education

Bachelor of Library and Information Science

The Bachelor of Library and Information Science is a four-year programme that prepares students for library management, information services and knowledge organisation. Students study library science, information organisation, digital libraries, records management and information technology. The programme combines traditional library science with digital information management.

Students develop competencies in library management, information organisation, cataloguing, digital libraries, reference services and information technology. They learn to manage libraries, organise information, provide reference services and implement digital information systems. The programme covers library science, information science, archives, digital libraries and IT.

In Kenya, library and information science is important for education, research and knowledge management. Universities, schools, government agencies and corporations require library and information professionals. Kenya's digital transformation creates demand for digital information management. Graduates find roles in universities, schools, KNLS, government agencies, corporations and research institutions.

Teaching is delivered through lectures, practical sessions, library practicum, industrial attachment and research projects. Students manage library systems, catalogue resources, use digital platforms and undertake industrial attachment. The programme includes a final-year research project.

Graduates pursue careers as librarians, information officers, records managers, knowledge managers and library directors. Some work for universities or schools. Others join KNLS, government agencies, corporations or research institutions.

This programme is ideal for individuals with organisational skills, reading interest and aptitude for information management.

Duration: 4 years
Public, up to: Ksh 233,440
Job market: Moderate

The programme

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

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time
Attachment: 3 months
Average class: 35 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

10 subjects

Library and Information Science
Information Organisation and Cataloguing
Digital Libraries and Information Systems
Reference and Information Services
Records Management and Archives
Database Management
Knowledge Management
Information Technology for Libraries
Research Methods
Library Management and Administration

Modules

12 in the programme

Introduction to Library and Information Science
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Introduction to Library and Information Science: Fundamentals of library science, information science and profession Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant sk...
Information Sources and Services
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Information sources, reference services and user services. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tes...
Information Organisation and Cataloguing
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Information Organisation and Cataloguing: Cataloguing, classification, indexing and information organisation Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Information Technology for Libraries
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Information Technology for Libraries: IT applications in libraries, library systems and automation Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Database Management
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Database design, SQL and information system databases. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, ...
Records Management and Archives
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Records Management and Archives: Records management, archival science and document management Covers planning, organising, leadership, and control in organisational contexts.
Digital Libraries and Information Systems
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Digital Libraries and Information Systems: Digital libraries, electronic resources and digital information systems Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Reference and Information Services
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Reference services, information retrieval and user support. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment te...
Knowledge Management
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Knowledge Management: Knowledge management principles, systems and organisational knowledge Covers planning, organising, leadership, and control in organisational contexts.
Library Management and Administration
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Library administration, management and leadership. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, cour...
Research Methods in Information Science
Year 4Semester 23 creditsCore
Research Methods in Information Science: Research methods, evaluation and information science research Covers quantitative and qualitative approaches, data collection, analysis, and reporting.
Final Year Research Project
Year 4Semester 36 creditsCore
Independent research on library and information science. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests...

Specialisations

Records Management
Specialization in Records Management, preparing graduates for careers such as librarian. 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 librarian. 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.
Academic Libraries
Specialization in Academic Libraries, preparing graduates for careers such as librarian. 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.
Knowledge Management
Specialization in Knowledge Management, preparing graduates for careers such as librarian. 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.
Archival Studies
Specialization in Archival Studies, preparing graduates for careers such as librarian. 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.
Public Libraries
Specialization in Public Libraries, preparing graduates for careers such as librarian. 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 information organisation with afternoon practical sessions, library practicum or project work. Students may catalogue resources, manage library systems, use digital platforms or work on information management projects.

The trade offs

In its favour

Combines traditional knowledge with digital technology
Diverse career paths in education, government and corporate
Relevant to digital transformation and knowledge economy
Growing demand for digital information management

Against it

Some may view library science as less dynamic
Some positions may have limited advancement
May require postgraduate study for advanced roles
Budget constraints can affect library funding

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

Public204k to 233k

204k at Kenyatta University233k at Egerton 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

Pub: KU 204,000 to Egerton 233,440/yr. Only CUEA private at 160,000/yr. KUCCPS.

Students may access HELB loans and county bursaries. Some libraries and information organisations offer internship stipends.

Funding options

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

Scholarships

3 recorded

County Government Bursaries
BursaryKenyan
Residents of respective counties
Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan students admitted to recognised universities
Higher Education Fund (HEF)
BursaryKenyan
Kenyan undergraduate students placed by KUCCPS in public universities

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

How you are assessed

4 components

Final Examination
Coursework30% of the mark
Industrial Attachment Report
Coursework10% of the mark
Practical Sessions and Project Work
Coursework30% of the mark
Continuous Assessment Tests (CATs)
Coursework30% of the mark

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE).

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
InstitutionalRequired

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

5 roles

Librarian
Moderate demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 170,000
Manages library services and information resources
Information Officer
Moderate demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 180,000
Manages information services and resources
Records Manager
Moderate demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 180,000
Manages organisational records and archives
Knowledge Manager
Moderate demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 220,000
Manages organisational knowledge and learning systems
Library Director
Moderate demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 300,000
Directs library operations and strategy

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as librarians, information officers, records managers, knowledge managers and library directors in universities, schools, KNLS, government agencies, corporations and research institutions.

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 and information science covers digital libraries, information systems, knowledge management and IT.
Librarianship is outdated in the digital age
Modern librarianship involves digital information, databases and technology management.
There are no jobs in library science
Universities, schools, government and corporations require information professionals.
Library science is not tech-related
Library and information science combines IT with information management.