Library Science, Digital Library Concentration, MLS

Program Overview

The Digital Library concentration (Library Science MLS) educates students in the design and operation of digital libraries; the development and implementation of metadata standards for a variety of digital library settings; the basics of web usability, navigation and accessibility; the presentation and organization of digital information on the web; and the social, cultural, economic and legal issues related to digital libraries and communication technologies.

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Program Objectives

The objectives of the digital library concentration are to educate students as librarians who have the ability to:

Explain the design and operation of digital libraries from a socio-technical perspective, including creating, organizing, preserving and accessing digital information
Describe principles supporting the development and implementation of metadata standards for a variety of digital library settings, focusing on issues of interoperability, internal and external standardization, and evaluation
Demonstrate the basics of web usability, navigation and accessibility, and how to organize and present digital information on the web
Delineate issues involved in human use of information technologies, as well as the intellectual basis for user interface design, usability evaluation, user-centered design methods and human information usage
Identify social, cultural, economic and legal issues related to digital libraries and communication technologies.

Admission Requirements

The requirements for all applicants are as follows:

Online graduate admission application
$50 non-refundable application fee
GPA/grades: Cumulative grade-point average (GPA) of at least 2.75 (“A”= 4.0) on all undergraduate work (exceptions to the 2.75 GPA requirement may be made for applicants with relevant professional experience)
Official transcripts: Official copies of transcripts from all colleges and universities attended (must be received in sealed university envelopes)
Letters of recommendation: At least two relevant professional or academic letters of recommendation (access forms through the online application; recommenders need to upload letters of recommendation)
Statement of purpose: This statement should be approximately 700–800 words (2–3 pages) long. Please discuss the following in the statement:
- How your personal, academic and work experiences have influenced you to apply for this program
- What your professional objectives are and how you want to arrive at them
- How you hope to contribute to positive change in the field, especially in light of the School’s mission “to prepare professionals to become leaders who can advance the library and information sciences in a diverse and global society"
Resume or curriculum vitae (CV): should include work experience related to the library and information professions, as well as other types of employment experience, and volunteer or community activities; should be less than 2 pages long
The GRE is not required (submitted scores are not considered)

Additional Requirements for International Applicants

Application Deadline Dates

U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents

Fall: July 1
Spring: November 1
Summer: April 1

International Applicants

Fall: April 1
Spring: September 1
Summer: no admission

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Graduate Contact Form

How to Apply

All individuals who would like to apply to an NC Central graduate program (except the law program) must apply using the correct online graduate admission application.

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