Information is a human right. Providing proper access to information is contributing to a more equitable world.
The Department of Library Information, and Archive Sciences (DLIAS) provides the education necessary to compete and succeed in this contemporary information age. As part of the Faculty of Media and Knowledge Sciences (MAKS), DLIAS presents unique opportunities to build and expand knowledge, skills, and capabilities in diverse information professions. DLIAS provides expertise and leadership in the fields with almost 30 years of teaching and research excellence coupled with active engagement in local, regional, and global Library, Information, Archival and Records Management scenes.
Our mission is to advance and promote interdisciplinary research in the information fields and train our students to face the challenges and increase the accessibility, preservation and dissemination of information. The Department offers the opportunity to become a specialised information professional embracing both modern technologies and traditional disciplines to create modern and standardised access to the past, provide high-level archival and library services in the present and build solid information infrastructures for the future.
At the local level, the Department collaborates with Faculties and Departments at the University of Malta, as well as with the University Library.
At the national level, the Department collaborates, among others, with the National Library of Malta, the National Archives of Malta, the Curia Archives in Floriana, the St. James Cavalier Centre for Creativity, the Central Bank of Malta, Malta’s Broadcasting Authority, and Malta’s Office of the Prime Minister (OPM). It also has links with the Malta Libraries Council (MLC), the Malta Library and Information Association (MaLIA), the Friends of the National Archives, the Cathedral Archives Resources Council, and the Malta National Archives Council.
At the international level, the Department has collaborated with the BBC, the British Library, the French National Audio-Visual Institute, the Open Society Archives at the Central European University, University College London, the University of Liverpool, the Library and Museum of St. John's Gate in London, University of Split, Vilnjus University, Belarusian State University, and St. John’s University, Minnesota, USA. In particular, the Department has an ongoing collaboration with the Malta Study Center at Hill Museum & Manuscript Library, Minnesota.
The Department’s diverse cohort of scholars and professionals have lectured, researched, and published both locally and internationally. Its research directions and interests include bibliographic control, archival/book history, documentation science, records and information management, information theory, information policy (access, freedom, security, rights, and other related issues), the intersections of information, society, culture, politics and technology, digital archives and libraries, and electronic publishing and scholarly communication.
The Department’s programmes are essential for information professionals seeking to strengthen their qualifications and specialise in the fields. The course offerings are also open to scholars wishing to advance their research.
At Undergraduate level we offer:
At Master level the department offers:
Research at Ph.D. level is also offered.
DLIAS students can work in diverse information professions such as knowledge, information, and records management, librarianship in its rich diversity (academic, public, special, digital), archival work ranging from traditional to digital archives of different typologies, curatorship, and information policy analysis (access, freedom, ethics, privacy, security rights). Indeed, our students are well-positioned to provide expert knowledge, analysis, and insight for organizations aiming to maximise their information assets and potentials. The Master course also provide a wide range of specialised study-units in the fields of modern and traditional archival and library studies both at the theoretical and practical levels.
Individuals interested in following some of our courses for their own personal interest are also very welcome. This is particularly the case with the Master of Arts in Documentary Heritage and Melitensia. The course is ideal for Melitensia lovers and those who carry out research in Maltese archives and libraries.
