Some people grow up loving libraries.
Others discover them slowly — maybe during college, maybe while working, or perhaps when they realise how powerful organised information actually is.
If you’re the type who values alone time, planning, investigation, or assisting other people in identifying the right information at the right time, chances are the profession related to library and information studies caught your attention.
But life is not always straightforward.
Regular college classes don’t work for everyone. Jobs, family duties, distance, health — sometimes all of it comes together. That’s where UPRTOU’s Distance MLIS course becomes a very practical option.
This blog isn’t here to “sell” you anything.
It’s here to explain — calmly and honestly — what this course is, who it suits, and what you can expect if you choose it.
What is the MLIS Course?
These abbreviations stand for Master of Library and Information Science.
It is, in short, an “academic degree beyond the first degree, which teaches you how information is gathered, organised, stored, and disseminated from the physical library to the digital environment.”
This course goes far beyond just books.
It deals with:
- How libraries are managed
- How information is classified and retrieved
- How digital libraries and databases work
- How users search for information and how to help them
- How records, archives, and knowledge systems are maintained
With everything going digital today, this field is more relevant than many people realise.
UPRTOU offers this MLIS programme through distance learning, which means you don’t need to attend daily classes or live near a campus.
Who Usually Chooses This Course?
Most students who enrol in this programme are not fresh school pass-outs.
They are:
- Working librarians who want to upgrade their qualification
- School or college staff aiming for better roles
- Graduates who already hold a BLIS degree
- People living far from universities
- Professionals who cannot leave jobs to study full-time
- If you already have a Bachelor of Library and Information Science (BLIS), you meet the main eligibility requirement.
Age doesn’t matter here. Background doesn’t matter much either — interest and commitment matter more.
How Distance Learning Actually Feels
Distance Education sounds easy on paper. But let’s talk about how it actually feels.
- You don’t have a teacher reminding you every day.
- You don’t have classmates sitting next to you.
- You don’t have fixed class hours.
Instead, you have:
- Study material provided by the university
- Assignments that guide your learning
- Exam schedules you prepare for on your own
You study when you can. Early mornings. Late nights. Weekends. Lunch breaks.
Some days you feel motivated.
Some days you don’t open a book at all.
Course Duration
Minimum: 1 year
Maximum: 3 years
This flexibility is extremely important.
If life goes smoothly, you can finish it quickly.
If something comes up — work pressure, family issues, health — you don’t lose everything.
You simply continue when you can.
That’s one of the biggest advantages of this course.
What You’ll Study?
You’ll learn about:
- Library management and administration
- Information organisation systems
- Cataloguing and classification
- Digital libraries and online databases
- Information services and user needs
Don’t worry — you’re not expected to “know everything” from day one.
The course builds gradually. If you already have a BLIS background, many concepts will feel familiar-just deeper and more detailed.
Exams, Assignments, and Evaluation
Exams are conducted according to the university’s academic schedule.
You’ll also have assignments that:
- Help you understand topics better
- Carry internal marks
- Encourage practical thinking
- Practical components, if any, are informed separately.
You don’t need to travel often. Most of the time, you prepare from home and appear for exams at assigned centres.
Let’s Talk About Fees
One reason many students choose UPRTOU is affordability.
The total course fee for the MLIS programme is around ₹15,000, which is quite reasonable for a postgraduate degree.
In addition, there may be:
A one-time registration fee
Exam fees per subject
Some students also choose EMI options, which makes payments easier.
Compared to regular college expenses — travel, accommodation, daily costs — distance education saves a lot of money.
Career Scope After MLIS
This is a question everyone asks — and rightly so.
After completing MLIS, you can explore roles such as:
- Librarian in schools, colleges, universities
- Assistant librarian in academic institutions
- Information officer in organisations
- Digital library manager
- Archivist or records manager
- Knowledge management roles
Libraries today are not just silent rooms with books. They are digital spaces, research hubs, and information centres.
With the right experience, this degree can open stable and respectable career paths.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a flexible, affordable way to grow in the field of libraries and information management — without putting your life on hold — then UPRTOU’s Distance MLIS is worth serious consideration.
It’s not flashy.
It’s not rushed.
It’s steady, structured, and practical.
You move forward quietly — page by page, concept by concept — and one day you realise you’ve come a long way.
If you value learning, structure, and meaningful work with knowledge, this course fits naturally into that path.
Sometimes growth doesn’t need noise.
It just needs commitment.
And this programme gives you the space to do exactly that.
FAQs
Q. Is the MLIS degree from UPRTOU valid?
Yes. UPRTOU is a recognised state open university.
Q. Can I study while working full-time?
Yes. That’s exactly who this course is designed for.
Q. Do I need to attend daily classes?
No. It’s a distance programme.
Q. Is BLIS compulsory for admission?
Yes, a BLIS degree or equivalent is required.
Q. Is there an age limit?
No specific age restriction.