School Libraries around the world

Due to the high demand on librarians, information professionals, and museum curators in Lebanon and the Arab World, the University of Balamand has established the first Faculty of Library and Information Studies (FLIS) in Lebanon. Library science is taught in the Lebanese University at the Faculty of Information and Documentation and in the Beirut Arab University at the Faculty of Arts as a Graduate program only. FLIS aims at graduate students, who will be capable of leading and directing centers and institutions that deal with information in any form, such as school libraries, academic libraries, research and archive centers, museums, art galleries, heritage centers, archaeological sites, etc.

The program of studies consists of a Bachelor Degree (BLS) and a Master Degree (MLS) in Library and Information Science. The Master’s program consists of 33 credits (9 core credits, 18 concentration credits, 3 internship credits, and 3 project credits).  It includes three specializations:

Information and Digital Resource Management.School Libraries and Media Centers.Library and Information Studies.

 

A Master Degree in Museum Studies and Cultural Heritage Management (MMCM) in association with Lord Cultural Resources is also offered (18 core credits, 9 concentration credits, 3 internship credits, and 3 project credits). Six core modules are included:

 

Theory and history of museumsManagement of museums and cultural heritage sites.Museum collections: theory and practice.Curatorship: museum exhibitions, curational practice and planning.Learning and public programming in museums and cultural heritage sites.Conservation and preservation of collections and sites.

 

Holders of BA or BS degrees coming from other backgrounds may join one of the previously mentioned Master’s programs but will have to attend some bridging courses as required by the admission committee.

 

In addition, FLIS is offering two Diplomas: “School Library Media Center”, and “Records and Documents Management” for professionals, who are willing to continue their professional development without having to pursue a

Master’s degree. The Diploma consists of 4 concentration courses (8 credits). Holders of a Diploma may apply to a Master’s degree on a later stage.

 

Please visit the university website for more information about the program, (http://www.balamand.edu.lb/english/FLIS.asp?id=14799&fid=934) and the entrance requirements (http://www.balamand.edu.lb/english/Admissions.asp?id=1452&fid=50).

 

Contacts:

 

BLS, MLS, and Diplomas: Ms. Sameera Bashir (sameera.bashir@balamand.edu.lb) or Mr. Ibrahim Farah (Ibrahim.farah@balamand.edu.lb).MMCM: Dr. Nadine Panoyat Haroun (nadine.haroun@balamand.edu.lb).Admission Requirements: Dr. Walid Mubayed (walid.moubayed@balamand.edu.lb).

 

Sincerely,

 

The Faculty of Library and Information Studies