Is Library and Information Science an Art Course —or Science

You are welcome to another educative post in the Sure Success Career Guide Series. Today, we want to help prospective university students to make the right choices and also fill their JAMB forms correctly. So we are going to provide answer to those asking the question, “Is Library and Information Science an Art Course in Nigeria?” This clarification is very crucial because many university aspirants are confused as to whether the course “Library and Information Science” is an art, commercial, social science or science course.

Quick Overview
Course	Library and Information Science
Course Duration	4 years for UTME candidates, 3 years for DE candidates.
Suitability	Library and Information Science is a science course and suitable for Science students.
Faculty	Science
JAMB Subjects Requirement	English Language, Mathematics, Physics and one of Biology, Chemistry, Agric Science, Economics and Geography.
O’level Subject Requirement	5 SSCE credit passes to include English Language, Mathematics, Physics plus 2 other Science subjects.

The Need to Clarify Whether Library and Information Science is a Science, Art or Commercial Course

There is a very important need to help candidates gain clarity on where exactly Library and Information Science belongs as a course. Is Library and Information Science an Art Course? Is it a Commercial course or an Art Course?

Actually, there are three stages when candidates need this clarification the most. The first is during the season of buying and filling of JAMB form.

The second time candidates ask the question we are dealing with on this post is during application for Change of Course. That is, when they have seen that their JAMB score is too low for their initial course, and they are considering changing to Library and Information Science.

The last stage at which candidates need clarification on where Library and Information Science belongs as a course is during application supplementary admission. That is, when they have missed merit admission into their dream course but have a chance of getting Library and Information Science through supplementary admission.

At those points, candidates want to know who is qualified to apply for Library and Information Science; is it the science, art or commercial student?

Any mistake here will close the door of admission into Library and Information Science against you.

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Why are Candidates Confused as to Whether Library and Information Science is a Science, Art or Commercial Course?

Many candidates are confused about whether Library and Information Science is an art or science course because it seems to be a mix of both.

On one side, it uses scientific methods to organize information neatly. On the other side, it is also about being creative in making information easy for people to use.

So, some parts are like a science, with rules and systems, while other parts are like an art, with creativity and making things enjoyable. The confusion is because it combines both orderly methods (like science) and creative ways (like art) to help people find and use information effectively.

In simple terms, Library and Information Science is a mix of organizing information like a science and making it user-friendly like an art. However, we are going to bring clarity in the next few sections.

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Is Library and Information Science an Art Course?

No, Library and Information Science is a Science Course.

This is true, despite the fact that the course requires user interaction and recognizing the subjective aspects of information needs.

However, non-science students may qualify to apply for Library and Information Science in institutions where the course is under the faculty of Education. In that case, Art and Social Science students would they have the required O’level subjects in their SSCE and the right JAMB subject combination for Library and Information Science.

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Why is Library and Information Science a Science Course?

There are three major evidences that prove that Library and Information Science is an Art Course. Here they are:

1. Library and Information Science involves systematic methodologies and the application of scientific principles in managing information.
2. It requires pure science subjects like Physics at O’level.
3. Most schools require science subjects like Mathematics and Physics as part of JAMB subject combination for Library and Information Science.

1. Library and Information Science Involves Systematic Methodologies and the Application of Scientific Principles in Managing Information

Library and Information Science is considered a science course because it involves systematic methodologies, rigorous organization and the application of scientific principles in managing information.

It employs systematic classification, cataloging and information retrieval methods. This means that it adheres to standardized procedures.

The discipline also embraces technological advancements for efficient information handling.

In essence, Library and Information Science is a science course because it uses scientific approaches to organize, store, retrieve and disseminate information.

2. Library and Information Science Requires Pure Science Subjects at O’level

According to the Current Official JAMB Brochure, candidates seeking admissions into Library and Information Science must possess credit level passes in five (5) subjects in not more than two sittings in English Language, Mathematics, Physics plus 2 other Science subjects.

In other words, Mathematics and Physics are two compulsory science subjects that aspirants of Library and Information Science must possess in SSCE. The remaining two subjects that can be used to complete the O’level subject requirement for Library and Information Science must also be selected from the sciences. Obviously, Art and Social Science students do not offer these Science subjects. So a typical Art or Social Science student would not qualify to gain admission into Library and Information Science.

Specific Library and Information Science Requirements by Some Universities (Education Faculty)

• LAPAI requires Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry/Biology.
• BAUCHI requires Mathematics, one (1) Science and one (1) Commercial Subject.
• IAUED requires English Language and any three (3) subjects from Biology, Agricultural Science, Chemistry, Literature in English Language, Economics, Government, CRS.

The above are just a few examples of the specific O’level requirements for admission into Library and Information Science. You can see that there are still some schools that require that aspirants must have science subjects like Mathematics, Chemistry and Physics in their SSCE even though the course is offered under the faculty of Education. Those science subjects are not offered by Art and Commercial students.

This goes to show that Library and Information Science is a Science Course.

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3. Most Schools Require Science Subjects as Part of JAMB Subject Combination for Library and Information Science

If you check the JAMB brochure, you will find the JAMB subject combination for Library and Information Science stated as follows: English Language, Mathematics, Physics and one of Biology, Chemistry, Agric Science, Economics and Geography.

This is the general subject combination for Institutions where Library and Information Science is offered under the Faculty of Science.

Art, social science and Commercial students who wish to attend those institutions would face a serious challenge because they may not be able to sit for science subjects in JAMB subjects.

So if you did not offer Physics, Biology, Chemistry and so on, in your O’level as an Art, Social Science or Commercial student, you will find it difficult to meet the UTME subjects requirement for Library and Information Science. Except where the course if offered under the Faculty of Education.

Other Related Questions to Our Topic: “Is Library and Information Science an Art Course?”

Before we conclude, let’s answer one or two other questions around our topic, “Is Library and Information Science an Art Course?”

Is Library and Information Science a Commercial Course?

No, Library and Information Science is not a commercial course. It is rather a pure science course and considered so in institutions where it is offered under the faculty of Sciences. But where the course is offered under the Faculty of Education, other options are available.

Is Library and Information Science an Art Course?

No, Library and Information Science is not an Art course in the strict sense of it. It is a pure science course. This is partly because an Art student is very unlikely to meet the O’level and JAMB subject requirements for Library and Information Science in universities where the course is offered under the Faculty of Sciences.

Is Library and Information Science Art or Science?

Library and Information Science is Science. Some of the obvious reasons why Library and Information Science is a science are discussed above.

Is Library and Information Science an Engineering Course in Nigeria?

No, Library and Information Science is not an engineering course in Nigeria. Although the services of Library and Information Scientists are needed in specialized engineering libraries.

Is Library and Information Science a Social Science Course?

No, Library and Information Science is not a social science course as the discipline is not focused on human beings and their insatiable needs. Rather, Library and Information Science is a Science course in Nigeria and most other countries of the world.

Is Library and Information Science an Art Course in JAMB?

No, Library and Information Science is not an Art Course in JAMB for candidates who wish to attend institutions where the course is offered under the Faculty of Sciences. But if your preferred institution is offers Library and Information Science under Education, then you are good to go as an Art student.

Is Library and Information Science a Hard Course to Study?

We cannot give an easy YES or NO to this question. More so, there is no general answer to the question. One course may be ‘hard’ for someone and easy for another. It all depends on academic background, natural intelligence and personal effort.

Is Library and Information Science an Art Course in Nigeria?

No, Library and Information Science is a Science Course in Nigeria. If you are an Art student and meet the necessary requirements, you can go for the course especially where it is offered in Education Faculty.

Is Library and Information Science a Good Course in Nigeria?

Yes, Library and Information Science is a good course with very lucrative career opportunities. You can go for it if you desire to study it.

Under which faculty is Library and Information Science?

Library and Information Science is a department under the faculty of Sciences in most schools. In some other schools, the course is under the faculty of Education.

Alright.

It’s a wrap.

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Conclusion

In this article, we set out to answer the pertinent question, “Is Library and Information Science an Art Course?” And we did justice to it.

If you are a science student with Biology, Physics, Chemistry and other necessary subjects in your SSCE result, you are in the best position to apply for Library and Information Science. As a science student, the JAMB subjects for Library and Information Science shouldn’t be difficult for you to handle.

However, social science or Art students may not have the required pure science subjects like Chemistry and Physics. More so, they may not be confident enough to sit for any pure science subject in JAMB. However, they can still qualify to study the course in any institution offering it under the Faculty of Education.

In conclusion, Library and Information Science is a Science Course in some Nigerian universities and polytechnics.

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