The University of Sheffield
Information School

MSc in Digital Library Management

Previously known as the MSc in Electronic and Digital Library Management

Students working at a laptop

This course is for those wishing to develop their skills in the areas of electronic resource management and digital library services, two growth areas of employment in the information sector. This page explains more about the area of study and how we teach it.

Why study Digital Library Management now?

The information landscape is changing rapidly

Organisations need to manage an increasingly complex body of licensed, born digital and digitised content. Information services and libraries are offering both print and electronic content. Digital libraries, made up primarily of digitised content have become an important part of the information landscape. Web 2.0 models of user-generated content and the data deluge arising from e-science and open access initiatives mean that the paradigms are shifting all the time.

Employers need professionals who understand the digital landscape

The course responds to a demand for professionals with a strategic overview of this changing information landscape as well as a unique range of technical and practical skills. Services need effective managers, people with confidence in using project management techniques, strong communicators who can influence and negotiate with others. The MSc can give you an edge in the careers market or help you to add value to your organisation.

About the course

Our MSc offers a very wide range of module choice. We have three suggested pathways to support three strong specialisms. We offer suggestions of dissertation topics that will consolidate your skills in any of these areas.

Digital Library Technologist

Leading digital library projects and supporting research data management

This pathway equips you to work on the technical aspects of digital library projects, introducing specific skills related to setting up and designing a digital library, but also helping you acquire an appreciation of infrastructural issues. This pathway is preparation for work on digital library projects, such as digitising material for access or preservation; the integration of licensed e-content; the curation of research data; or managing an institutional repository.

  • Management and Strategy for DLM
  • Digital Multimedia Libraries
  • Designing Usable Websites
  • Database Design
  • Content Management Systems
  • Human Computer Interaction
  • Information Retrieval: search engines and digital libraries

Digital Library Strategist

An effective project manager and e-strategist

Libraries are now hybrid services integrating face to face services and print material with digital content and services. Integrating very diverse e-content implies not just knowledge of web design and IT infrastructure, but a command of issues around standards, licensing and intellectual property rights. It means understanding user needs and behaviour. Delivering a service in this context is a management challenge as much as a purely technical one. The challenge of creating usable digital library services requires both a strategic vision and the project management skills to deliver valued ICT projects on time, to budget.

  • Management and Strategy for DLM
  • Digital Multimedia Libraries
  • Information Systems in Organisations
  • Change Management
  • Business Intelligence
  • Libraries, Information and Society
  • Academic and Research Libraries

Digital Libraries Designer for humanities

Supporting scholars’ use of digital collections

Scholars in English, History and many other humanities subjects have begun to change how they conduct research because of the availability of a growing corpus of primary texts and images in digital form. New digital sources and tools open up exciting novel ways of doing research. This pathway through the degree gives you the skills to facilitate and support such scholarship through the design and promotion of digital library resources, informed by an understanding of scholars’ information practices.

  • Management and Strategy for DLM
  • Digital Multimedia Libraries
  • Designing Usable Websites
  • Educational Informatics
  • Libraries, Information and Society
  • Archives and Records Management
  • Academic and Research Libraries

Essential skills

The course aims to produce rounded practitioners who can contribute value to an organization immediately, through influencing skills and with a grasp of strategic and ethical issues. It provides an in-depth understanding of the strategic and practical technical issues and the long term management and day to day challenges involved in leading and supporting digital and electronic library initiatives.

Flexible learning

Our MSc in Digital Library Management equips you with the knowledge and the skills to succeed in a rapidly developing field. Our flexible approach to teaching and learning means you can study part time or full time. Whether you´re new to the field or an experienced professional looking to develop your career, we can structure your course to suit.

What qualifications do I need?

You need at least a second-class honours degree, or its equivalent, in any subject.

The course is aimed at people with one to two years practical work experience within the library and information sector, but we may still consider candidates with no work experience.

What if I haven´t got a degree?

If you have other qualifications and substantial relevant work experience you may be considered for the PG Diploma or PG Certificate in Digital Library Management. Please contact us for further information and to discuss your particular circumstances.

Accreditation

The course has now been accredited with CILIP, the main professional body for information and library professionals in the UK. This means it will also be recognised by the ALA and other national professional associations.

What is CILIP accreditation?

Further information