Appalachian State University offers a Master of Library Science (MLS) through the Graduate Center at UNC Charlotte. The degree is designed for those students interested in pursuing careers in school librarianship and/or public librarianship.  Courses are taught in a hybrid format, face-to-face on the UNC Charlotte campus and online by ASU faculty. 

The Library Science program is a graduate program that awards a Master of Library Science (MLS) degree upon completion. Using a combination of off-campus teaching methodologies, the Library Science program mission is to make a positive impact on K-12 students and public library patrons by providing the State of North Carolina with appropriately educated school and public librarians who take leadership roles in the state, nation, and world. High quality faculty, who create authentic learning experiences that blend theory with practice and consistently engage in relevant research, creative, and service activities, help to accomplish this mission.  The Library Science program shares a commitment with the Reich College of Education to promote program excellence, communities of learning, and ethical and professional dispositions.

Goal 1:  Graduates will be prepared to provide library and information technology services in public libraries and K-12 school library media centers.

• Student Learning Objective #1: Students will apply the theories, principles and practices of library science as they perform administrative functions required for the efficient operation of public libraries and school library media centers.
• Student Learning Objective #2: Students will integrate the concepts of intellectual freedom and information access in the physical design and intellectual context of the services provided in libraries and media centers.
• Student Learning Objective #3: Students will identify and implement effective uses of library and information technology media.

Goal 2:  Graduates will be prepared to build library collections that fulfill the literature and media needs, both informational and recreational, of all citizens in a diverse, democratic society.

• Student Learning Objective #1: Students will analyze multiple types of data about a given community in order to describe its most likely informational and recreational media needs.
• Student Learning Objective #2: Students will establish and articulate selection criteria for items chosen for specific library collections
• Student Learning Objective #3: Students will evaluate materials for stereotypical content and bias.

Goal 3:  Graduates will be prepared to advocate for successful library programs and provide leadership within their communities.

• Student Learning Objective #1: Students will identify stakeholders that both impact and are impacted by library services and resources.
• Student Learning Objective #2: Students will design interventions that increase the library program’s impact on its community.
• Student Learning Objective #3: Students will develop a plan to advocate for programs, resources, and services.