MA in Library and Archive Studies

The MA in Library and Archive Studies is taught in collaboration with The University of Manchester Library (UML). This is a major multi-site research library with National Research Library status. It includes the stunning John Rylands Research Institute and Library with its world-leading collections of archives and rare books and cutting-edge digital practices. The Library has close links to research and teaching through the John Rylands Research Institute and Library and the School of Arts, Languages and Cultures. These relationships give students on the MA in Library and Archive Studies the opportunity to engage with a wealth of academic specialisms closely linked to Library and Archive Studies, in addition to benefitting from broad-ranging core courses centred on working with special collections.

This MA focuses on contemporary practices in collection-led librarianship and archival studies. It provides unique curriculum-based access to world-leading special collections and comparative cultural institutions alongside a strong professional practice element in collaboration with UML staff. Course delivery includes core courses in librarianship and archive studies, optional work placements in a variety of library and collections-based fields and linked dissertations. In addition, students are offered a choice of optional courses in a variety of specialist topics linked to digital practices, archives management, rare books curation, conservation, exhibition design and the social and inter-community impact of research libraries, as well as units linked to a variety of research specialisms within the School of Arts, Languages and Cultures such as in book history and palaeography.

Successful graduates of this programme will:

• demonstrate, through coursework and the dissertation, deep awareness and understanding of current practices in Library and Archive Studies, including collection management and curation, preservation, and analysis.
• understand and be able to critically evaluate and contextualise current and historical issues and debates in Library and Archive Studies.
• be able to reflect critically on placements in specific specialist areas linked to Library and Archival Studies.
• produce original research and analysis of specific areas in collections and archives that match to selected specialist topics.
• have acquired critical, analytical, practical and transferrable skills related to specific areas of Library and Archive Studies.
• have established research skills using primary and secondary sources relevant to Library and Archive Studies.
• have acquired transferrable professional skills such as knowledge of relevant policy areas, issues around archives and collection management.

Course unit details

Compulsory Modules

Strategic Practice in Libraries (30 credits). This module will include:

• strategic library management: resource management in research libraries; managing risk and reputation; the future of library spaces and technology design; building a culture of collecting;
• leadership: leading with authenticity and managing in the workplace; designing vision and values; promoting EDI (Equality, Diversity and Inclusion); creating a dynamic organisation;
• libraries in Society: open libraries and the future of publishing; the socially engaged librarian, open knowledge in Higher Education;
• developing effective services: user-focused service design; measuring and improving; user engagement and collaborative working;
• managing information: ethics and the law in libraries; information literacy and critical thinking;
• leading in the sector: consortia partnerships; advocacy and influencing.

Managing Archives and Special Collections (30 credits). This module will include:

• structuring collections: versioning the record; standards and descriptions; international interoperability; enabling discovery,
• understanding special collections: collection management and development; collection format; policies and frameworks,
• engagement and advocacy: teaching and learning with archives and special collections; exhibitions and public engagement,
• digital infrastructures: digital preservation; digitisation; digital platforms and formats,
• digital practices and approaches: collecting born-digital; visual and sound collections; collection-centred practices; research-led technical development,
• special collections laboratory: scholarship in special collections; academic partnerships and collaborations.

Dissertation (60 credits)

Optional Modules

Library and Archive Studies Work Placement Module (30 credits).

Indicative list of additional optional modules:

• Decolonise the Museum!
• Producing Digital Projects
• Digital Heritage
• Business Strategies for the Arts
• Curating Art
• Intangible Cultural Heritage
• Creative Learning• CCI - Policy and Evidence
• From Papyrus to Print: The History of the Book
• Wondrous Transformations: Translating the Medieval Past
• Old English: Writing the Unreadable Past

Options to take other languages, such as Hebrew, Arabic, or Greek can be considered, in consultation with the Programme Director. You can take no more than 30 language credits.

Progression opportunities include work in policy and management roles for national libraries, major special collections libraries and archives.

The University has its own Careers Service, to which you will have full access as a student and for two years after you graduate.

At Manchester, you will have access to a number of opportunities to help boost your employability.