The Department of Library and Information Science was set up in 1990-91 under the 7th plan of Govt. of India. Pioneered work of Prof. Krishna Nath Chattopadhyay, the then Vice Chancellor of the university & untiring effort by Dr. Ajoy Ranjan Chakraborty led to the development of this department to mitigate the long-standing social demands of the entire north Bengal.
The department started with self-support; it made its strong footprint in the academic domain under the leadership of Dr. Chakraborty with active support from the professionals engaged in the university library.
The department officially started in 1990 and introduced the Bachelor of Library & Information Science Course with the understanding of the following thrust areas.
1. development of Skilled Manpower,
2. Development of ICT-equipped hybrid information professionals.
3. To Act as an Information Hub in North Bengal.
4. To extend social capital by harnessing the knowledge and intellectual capital to elevate information equity.
Due to social commitment and demand, the department introduced the “Master’s in Library and Information Science” in 2005. Furthermore, it had always been a priority to regularly revise and update the syllabi of all the courses in consultation with various stakeholders.
The latest syllabi revision was conducted during Academic Session 2022-23. As a result, choice-Based Credit Semester (CBCS) has been inflicted on all the courses run by the department.
The teaching method/pedagogy followed by the department ranges from Classroom Learning, Group Discussion, Case Studies, Project Work, Activity Based Learning, Presentations, Assignments, Special Lectures, Library Visits, and Guest Lectures.
The department, on its onus, publishes an annual journal– Advances in Library And Information Science (ALIS).
The students of this department excelled in workplaces throughout India. Although BLIS was the prime course taught for about 23 years, a gradual social demand for introducing a master’s Course in Library Science was paramount. In the year 2005, a master’s course was started. Developing a separate building for the department adjacent to the Central Library was a welcome move. Again, in 2011-12, the space of the building was enhanced.
The department’s primary objective during the last 20 years was to develop skilled human resources. Updated and modernized syllabus, and well-equipped computer lab, imbibed the students to explore the profession better.