Unanswered questions in the training in library and information sciences

51. évfolyam, 2005. 1. szám

BÉNYEI, Miklós

Könyvtári Figyelő (Library Review) vol. 15. (51.) 2005. No. 1. pp. 13 –18.

The graduate training in library and information sciences is currently available at 13 training institutions in Hungary. The training is offered both in full-time and part-time mode and in the form of distance education. The approximate number of LIS students is 4,000. Students obtain a university or a college degree diploma when they finish their studies.

As a consequence of the restructuring in compliance with the Bologna process, the system of higher education in Hungary – including the training in librarianship – is facing significant changes. Starting in 2006, the system of higher education will follow a new, linear structure. This means that the current coexistence of colleges and universities will end and a three-level system will be introduced: 1. the three-year, undergraduate programme requiring 180 credits (BA), 2. the two-year, masters degree level programme requiring 120 credits (MA), and the three-year doctoral degree programme (PhD) requiring 180 credits.

From 2006, the number of subjects available within the undergraduate programme will be radically reduced. New fields of studies and study programmes will be defined. Within the individual programmes, the same core training will be provided. In the first draft of the new law on higher education, the graduate training in LIS was not distinguished as an independent programme. Prominent figures of the training in librarianship and of the library field then decided to lobby jointly for the independence of the programme. Their arguments were accepted, but the next step was to range LIS under the Hungarian language and linguistics study programme. The professional associations, the training institutes and the library department of the Ministry of Cultural Heritage then launched a new offensive to achieve that the LIS programme was included in the multidisciplinary social sciences field. The decree coming into force in August 2004 (252/2004) already reflects this achievement, showing the training in LIS as a BA degree level programme to which post-secondary students can enrol directly.

This is how the independence of the training in librarianship was saved. Nevertheless, a few problems still remain to be solved: e.g. the decree does not provide for the questions of full-time, part-time, evening courses and distance education. The current system allowing for students to follow in parallel another programme in addition to library sciences may not be maintained. Completing one programme only would be considered as a setback, however, one advantage could be that the credits related to core subjects would be extended, making possible a more in-depth acquisition of basic professional competencies. Another advantage of the new system is that each programme of the field can be completed with teacher’s training, allowing for a teaching librarian MA programme.

After the decree came into force, the experts involved in the training in LIS started to elaborate the requirements related to the training and the degrees that will be offered.

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