Dear student,

We welcome you to our program and hope that you will enjoy our courses! Digital library and information services have become a landmark of modern society. The program includes courses that help you to understand the role and functions of digital services and libraries in society. You will explore their use, gain insight into the work of professional library and information specialists, learn to operate technological tools and platforms, solve managerial issues, and follow research trends within the LIS field.

The Master’s program starts on the 30th of August 2021 with the courses Digital Library Management and Information retrieval 1. Between 16th and 24th of August you have to register and also create your Student account, or you may lose your place in the program. You will get all detailed information you need about Student account and registration sent to you in August. You will be able to log into the learning platform Canvas when you have registered as a student, and you will find additional information about
individual course registration there.

It is recommended that students attend the residential periods in Borås, though they are not obligatory. We have unfortunately had to cancel the first residential week for your year. The activities that were scheduled for this week will be transferred to digital environments, which may mean that they are spread out over more than one week's time. More information will be provided in the Canvas modules for the program and the courses that begin in the first period (Information Retrieval 1 and Digital Library Management), as well as in an introductory presentation of the program in Zoom (you will be provided with a link) on the 1st of September between 9:00-16:00. The voluntary residential periods later in the program will take place one week in February or March 2022, one week in autumn 2022 (probably late September) and one day for the master's thesis seminar in late May/early June 2023 (or when your thesis is accepted for the final seminar). These meetings may also be in digital environments, depending on the status of the pandemic. You should have access to a new computer and an internet connection that enable you to use multimedia, video, audio files, and even do some programming. A headset is strongly recommended for participation in video conferencing sessions. You may have to buy some software and teaching materials. You will receive lecture and seminar materials on the e-learning platform Canvas and will be able to use resources available through the Library of the University of Borås free of charge. 

You will study online full-time for two years. Therefore, you will work almost entirely at home and at your own pace. Working at your own pace might mean that you slow down and study at half-pace. You may do this as long as you take responsibility for planning the studies yourself and inform the program staff - you will be instructed on how to do this at our introductory session in September. Distance studies and course content will require adaptation. If you have studied humanities or social sciences, the challenging part will be our technological courses. If you have a computer science or IT background, there will be subjects dealing with human and societal issues that may make new demands of you.

The Swedish School of Library and Information Science has strong contacts with the professional and research community in Sweden, Europe and around the world. The students applying to this program also come from many countries. As a participant in the program, you will meet each other online and on campus, exchange experience and knowledge, and build your own international network of professional contacts. 

We once again welcome you to the program and look forward to seeing you (in digital environments) in September!

Best regards,
Program coordinator
Rachel Pierce, rachel.pierce@hb.se

LINK TO THE PROGRAM SCHEDULE
The schedule will continue to be updated as course instructors schedule their courses.
https://schema.hb.se/setup/jsp/Schema.jsp?startDatum=idag&intervallTyp=m&intervallAntal=6
&sprak=SV&sokMedAND=true&forklaringar=true&resurser=p.BMDD121h

VISA FOR TRAVEL
If you are not an EU/EEA citizen, you might need to apply for a visa for the meetings in Borås.
Visit the Swedish Migration Agency for more information:
https://www.migrationsverket.se/English/Private-individuals.html

TEMPORARY HOUSING IN BORÅS
On the University's website, you will find information on temporary accommodation, contact
details to rental agencies, and links to other online options. See:
https://www.hb.se/en/international-student/student-life/living-insweden/
accommodation/temporary-accommodation/

Programme information

Start term: Autumn2021 Programme code: BMDD1 Programme cohort code: BMDD121h1 Study pace: Full-time 100% Programme length: Day Location: Borås

Note

The program is blended learning, with three voluntary weeks in the beginning of the first three semesters. These are currently cancelled due to the pandemic. The only obligatory campus visit is the final thesis defense, which is currently held in Zoom due to the pandemic.

Communication between students and teachers is maintained mainly through an e-learning platform. In order to take the courses, you are therefore required to have access to a computer on which you are able to install software and have Internet-access at a reasonably high bandwidth. It is not enough with a smartphone, iPad, Chromebook or similar computer-like devices, although you may use them for some tasks. Your Internet-access needs to have at least 10 Mbps download speed, although lower speeds may be enough for some tasks. Some recordings may require even higher speeds. Some software may need to be bought, although as far as possible we try to make use of software that does not require fees. In order to participate in seminars online you will also need a web camera, headphones and a microfone connected to your computer.

Language of instruction will be English.

Contact

This programme is given at the Faculty of Librarianship, Information, Education and IT (A3).

If you have any questions during your studies, contact the Education Officer via:
Email: a3@hb.se
Phone: +46 (0)33 435 4013 (telephone hours every weekday from 10:00–12:00).

Do you have any questions about choosing educational programmes or about your future career?
Contact our Study and Career Counsellors

Programme Coordinator: Wout Dillen

Document

Programme courses

Course syllabi specify the necessary literature for each course. Please note that course syllabi can be revised up until the time for course registration. Always contact the Course Coordinator, or check in Canvas, before you purchase course literature.