Major in Library and Information Science — Information Resource Management
Aimed at professionals with practical experience, this field allows students to systematically acquire knowledge and skills in the areas of library and information services, including the latest information technology, business management, information resource organization, academic information distribution, and reference services. The field emphasizes the development of practical and problem-solving skills in a learning environment that, by offering evening and Saturday classes, allows students to study while working.
Overview
In our ever-changing social environment, there is a growing need for continued education among professionals engaged in library and information services. In response to this social need, the Graduate School of Letters established the Information Resource Management Program within the Department of Library and Information Science in 2004. This program is available to university graduates with librarian certification or three years of professional experience in libraries or other related organizations. With a focus on the latest in information technology, administration and management, our curriculum allows students to acquire practical skills and knowledge concerning information resource organization, information retrieval, scholarly communication, reference services, and more. We aim to improve students’ practical problem-solving skills as well as academic skills, which are developed through courses offered in scholarly article writing and research methods. In 2015, the Information Resource Management Program was officially certified as a Brush-up Program for Professionals by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT).
Most courses are offered in the evening and on weekends to accommodate the needs of currently employed professionals. We also have a few intensive summer courses. Every year, 15–20 students enroll in the program, earning a professional master’s degree while working full-time. They share a strong sense of solidarity and remain friends long after completion of the program.