Programme description for Bachelor's Programme in School Library Science (2026–2030)

Knowledge

Upon completion of the programme, students will:

• have broad knowledge about the school library as an arena for learning and formation in a multicultural and technological society
• have knowledge of major topics within media studies and recent literature for children and youth
• have insight into the field of information competency - information retrieval, source assessment, reading different kinds of texts and use of information in forming their own knowledge
• have knowledge of recent research on reading development
• have insight into fundamental principles for educational organisations and operations of a school library

Skills

Upon completion of the programme, students will:

• be able to analyse and assess fiction and non-fiction texts
• have basic knowledge and skills in teaching literature and stimulating reading
• have basic knowledge and skills in search, assessment and use of information
• be able to administer and run a school library
• be able to make didactical and methodical assessments with regards to using the school library and its educational resources
• be able to reflect upon and demonstrate how the school library may be used in working with students' development of reading strategies

General competence

Upon completion of the programme, students will:

• be able to pass on their knowledge about different types of texts, reading development and information literacy
• be able to discuss academic and ethical questions related to the field of school libraries
• be able to identify possibilities for further development of the school library as a learning and education arena

The student will also have knowledge, skills and general competence in accordance with the chosen minor subject.

Higher Education Entrance Qualification.

The Bachelor’s Programme in School Library Science provides graduates with knowledge of the school library as a resource for pupils’ education, information competency and development of their reading strategies in working with academic and fictional texts.

The programme is a bachelor’s programme with a major subject of 90 ECTS credits. It is web-based with session-based instruction. Ex.phil., ex.fac. and all elective courses are to be taken as ordinary courses in accordance with the respective course descriptions, at UiA or at other institutions subject to recognition.

The following courses are included in the Level 1 specialization:
SK-100 School Library Science 1 (30 ECTS credits)
SK-101 School Library Science 2 Children and Young People's Literature (30 ECTS credits)

The following courses are included in the Level 2 specialization:
SK-200 School Library Science 3 Information Competency and Reading Development (15 ECTS credits)
SK-201 School Library Science 3 Bachelor's thesis (15 ECTS credits)

Minor Subject/Electives
Students choose between relevant one-year programmes and other subject components. Choose either a one-year study programme (60 ECTS credits), two minor subject components/electives (30 ECTS credits each) or one 30 ECTS credits component and 30 ECTS credits of freely chosen courses. Students wishing to obtain qualifications for working in the school system should complete a school-related course (60 ECTS credits) in their minor subject component/elective.

The programme yields competences relevant for the following sustainable development goals:

• Good education: Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all
• Peace, justice, and effective institutions: Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels
• Gender equality: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls

During the bachelor’s programme, students may study at our partner institutions abroad, different options are found at the university’s site for student exchange. Studying abroad should be done in connection with the elective courses.

All courses use some international literature. Mostly Nordic literature in School Library Science 1 and 2, and mostly American in School Library Science 3. Sweden and the US are leading countries in the field, and they are used as examples in the classroom..

The programme provides graduates with a good background for working in primary and upper secondary schools and information sources as well as teaching and pedagogical planning in public libraries.

The programme may give admission to the master’s programme in library and information science at OsloMed, and to the master’s programme in media- and documentation science at the University of Tromsø.