About Us
In order to qualify for admission to LIS undergraduate degree programmes candidates must obtain a matriculation exemption (minimum university admission requirement) or its equivalent. Application forms can be obtained through the Central Admission Office (CAO) hyperlink: http://www.cao.ac.za/ or through direct contact with the University.
Postrgraduate Admission
Admission to PGDLIS, BLIS- HON, MLIS or the PhD degree is normally arranged through the Head of the Department (tel.+27-035-9026484 or Fax +27-035-9026082 or by email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ). Alternatively applicants may apply through the office of the Registrar.
The Department of Library Science was founded in 1970 with the introduction of a four-year Bachelor of Library Science degree. An honours degree in Library Science ( offered in the fifth year) was introduced in 1973 followed by a (Post-graduate) Diploma in Library Science in 1978, and a Masters degree in Library Science in 1984.
A post-graduate Diploma in Specialized Education: School Library Science ( for those with teaching degrees/diplomas) was introduced in 1990. Information Science was added to the curriculum in 1980. It became a separate major in 1982. In 1988 the name of the Department was officially changed to the Department of Library and Information Science.
In June 1997, the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Library and Information Science) was introduced. The student enrolment figures for the courses/modules offered by the department have show a steady increase with no less than 850 students registering in the department between 1996 – 2002. Students from other disciplines/departments and faculties were until the end 2000 permitted to take library and information science courses/subjects as minors or enroll for either library science or information science as their majors. Similarly, the third and fourth year Faculty of Education students take three of the school library science modules for their degree qualification requirements. This flexibility has enabled the department to attract large numbers of students essential for its viability. Unlike the large student numbers registered for Library and Information Science (LIS) courses for non LIS degree purposes, the number of students whose career paths lead to a LIS degree, from 1996 to 2002, included 380 bachelors (with 15 graduating each year); 26 bachelor-honours (average of 4 graduating each year); masters 3; diploma in school library science 13 (10 graduating) and postgraduate diploma 60 (with about half graduating). The improved student enrolment guarantees the viability and stability of the department.
Up until the end of 2002, candidates for the Bachelor of Library and Information Science degree majored in Library Science and Information Science (of which Library Science is a four-year major) as well as in one other degree subject. During the entire period of study at the Department, students were expected to enroll for 14 courses in the two major areas as well as for 14 courses selected mainly from other degree programmes in the Faculty of Arts or from other faculties. Library and Information Science is also being recognized for other bachelor degree purposes.
