Concentration Details

Library and Information Science

The Library and Information Science (LIS) concentration educates students in accessing, analyzing, organizing, evaluating, preserving, researching and presenting information found in all types of formats. Today’s librarians are no longer solely concerned with books, but rather with managing digital data and various new modes of information.

LIS Concentration Coordinator: Siobhan Stevenson

LIS Concentration Features

  • The program has been continuously accredited by the American Library Association – the North American standard for professional practice in the field – since 1937
  • Required courses focus on the fundamentals of the field and the myriad of issues related to the information lifecycle: creation, representation, organization, management, dissemination and preservation, and the interplay of these issues with social, cultural, economic, political, and technological forces
  • More specialized elective courses focus either on a type of library audience, such as public or academic, or engage with important contemporary topics such as information and digital literacy, the evolution of reading practices, or outreach and advocacy

LIS Graduates: Where are they now?

Ken Lui (MI, Class of 2024)

Ken participated in the Toronto Academic Libraries Internship (TALint) program partnership which provided him with invaluable practical experiences that included not only hands-on training in the academic library setting but also mentoring and engagement with professionals. It helped him integrate into the local library community and gain confidence in his ability to join the profession soon after graduation.

Samantha Summers (CDP, Class of 2021)

Samantha completed a double concentration in LIS and ARM for the MI portion of her combined degree. She puts to her degrees to use at the ROM where she is Manager of Donor Circles, overseeing renewal fundraising campaigns and the Member to Patron pipeline.

Academic Concentration Requirements

MI students enrolled in 2024 and later

Year 1 required courses

In Year 1, students are recommended to complete the following mandatory LIS courses, as well as 2.0 FCEs in elective courses.

INF1322H Communities and Values 0.5 Credits

INF1323H The Information Experience 0.5 Credits

INF1324H Critical Infrastructures 0.5 Credits

Year 2 required courses

In Year 2, students are recommended to complete 4.0 FCEs in elective courses.

MI students enrolled in 2023 and earlier

Year 1 required courses

While it is not obligatory, it is recommended that students complete all Year 1 required courses in Year 1, because these courses provide foundational knowledge.

For students considering the Co-op option, all Year 1 required courses should be completed in Year 1.

INF1005H Information Workshops I 0.25 Credits

INF1006H Information Workshops II 0.25 Credits

INF1322H Communities and Values 0.5 Credits

INF1323H The Information Experience 0.5 Credits

INF1324H Critical Infrastructures 0.5 Credits

Year 2 required courses

No required courses.

If all required courses are completed in Year 1, students may complete their remaining 5.5 credit requirements by taking a combination of:

Suggested Electives

Work Integrated Learning for LIS Students

The Faculty of Information offers a variety of work-integrated learning including the MI Co-op option and practicum courses. The Careers Services team helps students find suitable placements.

Careers in LIS

  • Access & Privacy Officer
  • Advancement Assistant and Junior Researcher
  • Bilingual Reader Advisor
  • Biomedical Sciences Research Support Librarian
  • Business Information Specialist
  • Children’s Librarian
  • Clinical Information Specialist
  • Clinical Librarian
  • Communications and Project Officer
  • Community Outreach Librarian
  • Consultant, Business Research
  • Content Inventory Coordinator
  • Copyright Education/Compliance Manager
  • Development Researcher
  • Digital Literacy Coordinator
  • Digital Media Specialist
  • Donor Research Specialist
  • Electronic Services Librarian
  • Emerging Technologies Specialist
  • Environmental Data Specialist
  • Geographic Names Specialist
  • Geospatial Data Librarian
  • Information Access Specialist
  • Information Services Consultant
  • Knowledge Mobilization Officer
  • Manager of Public Services
  • Manager, Resource Discovery and Access
  • Metadata and Taxonomy Specialist
  • Online Consumer Health Information Researcher
  • Prospect Research and Analytics Officer
  • Prospect Researcher
  • Research Associate
  • Research Consultant
  • Research Evaluation Coordinator
  • Research Information Officer
  • Visualization Coordinator

Who hires LIS graduates?

Our alumni work in a wide range of organizations and industries including financial services, technology, health care, law, government, marketing and communications, non-profit and more.

Professional Networks

Many students, alumni and faculty are members of key LIS professional associations. Our strong ties with these organizations, forged over many years, keep the Faculty of Information abreast of the latest LIS trends. In addition, many instructors are active LIS professionals. LIS professional associations include:

Future Students

How do I become a Master of Information student?