The Interdisciplinary, Multidisciplinary and Transdisciplinary Natures of Library and Information Science: An Analysis Natures of Library and Information Science: An Analysis

The term Library and Information Science (LIS) was borne out of the need to merge two closely related fields – Library Science (LS) and Information Science (IS) – that deal with the management and handling of information. This paper discusses the context of LIS by using the Crossing Path five (5) metrics of identifying interdisciplinary, multidisciplinary and transdisciplinary disciplines. It further argues that LIS is an interdisciplinary, multidisciplinary and transdisciplinary branch of knowledge because its theories and practices required learning from other areas, shares areas of common interest with other fields, have a range of disciplines working together, converges approaches from separate areas and has areas seen as inherently interdisciplinary. It concludes that LIS is a discipline which its domains are not limited to the realm of libraries, but extended to every academic field, centers, organizations, corporations, institutions that collect, generate, acquire, process, organize, store, preserve, retrieve, share, disseminate and utilize information in various formats and media and recommends that curricula in the field of LIS should be continuously and consistently reviewed, with the motive of incorporating new trends, themes, knowledge and practices that will equip students and practitioners in performing excellently in discharging their professional duties.

Keywords: Information, Information Handling, Information Management, Information Science, Interdisciplinary Field, Library Science, Library and Information Science, MultidisciplinaryF ield, Transdisciplinary Field.