Library and Information Science 339 Lesson List, TMA Split, Paper Design and Marks Weightage
Every lesson of the NIOS Class 12 Library and Information Science syllabus, sorted into what goes to your TMA and what goes to the board paper.
NIOS Class 12 Library and Information Science Syllabus in Brief
Library and Information Science carries subject code 339 at the Senior Secondary level of NIOS. The course is built from five modules and eighteen lessons. Module 5 is a choice module, so a learner studies either Management of Libraries or Information Retrieval Systems, never both.
The course is split in a fixed ratio. Forty per cent of the syllabus sits in the Tutor Marked Assignment and sixty per cent goes to the public examination. Only six lessons fall on the TMA side, and those six are L-2, L-3, L-7, L-8, L-10 and L-14. The remaining lessons are tested in the theory paper of 80 marks.
The theory paper runs for three hours and carries 80 marks across 43 questions. Every module carries an equal load of 16 marks, so no module can be safely skipped. The official bifurcation chart and the question paper design are reproduced below exactly as NIOS publishes them, followed by our own lesson by lesson notes.
Learners often confuse the assignment share with an easier share. It is not. The TMA carries 20 marks that are added to your final result, and the six TMA lessons are still asked in the theory paper for one mark and two mark objective questions. Read our NIOS TMA complete guide before you begin writing.
Official Bifurcation of the Library and Information Science 339 Syllabus
The chart below is the NIOS bifurcation of syllabus for Library and Information Science 339. The left column lists the lessons assessed through the TMA and the right column lists the lessons assessed in the public examination.
| Module | I TMA (40% of Syllabus) Module 06 lessons |
II Public Examination (60% of Syllabus) |
|---|---|---|
| Module 1 Library, Information and Society (04 Lessons) | ||
|
L-2: Types of Libraries and Information centres: Public, Academic, Special and National L-3: Modern Library: Automated, digital and Virtual |
L-1: Library and Information Centres, concepts and role in Society L-4: Five Laws of Library Science |
|
| Module 2 Information Sources (04 Lessons) | ||
|
L-7: Reference Sources L-8: E-Resources |
L-5: Overview of Information Sources L-6: Types of Information Sources |
|
| Module 3 Organization of Information Sources (03 Lessons) | ||
| L-10: Processing of Library Material: classification and Cataloguing |
L-9: Organization of Library Material: classification and Cataloguing L-11: Arrangement and Maintenance of Library Material |
|
| Module 4 Library and Information Services (03 Lessons) | ||
| L-14: Modern Library Services |
L-12: Library and Information Services for the users. L-13: Traditional Library Services: Responsive and Anticipatory |
|
| Module 5(A) Management of Libraries (04 Lessons) OR | ||
|
L-15A : Library System and Management L-16A: Library Staff L-17A: Library users L-18A: Librarianship as a career |
||
| Module 5(B) Information Retrieval Systems (04 Lessons) | ||
|
L-15B: Information Retrieval Concept and scope L-16B: Information Retrieval tools: Catalogue, Index L-17B: Search Techniques: Basic and Advanced L-18B: Web Based Search |
||
Read the chart column by column, not row by row. If a lesson number appears on the TMA side it will not be asked as a long answer question in the board paper, and if it appears on the public examination side it will not be part of your assignment questions.
Question Paper Design for Library and Information Science 339
The design below is the official NIOS question paper design for Library Science 339. Use it to work out how many marks come from objective questions and how many come from written answers.
Maximum Marks: 80
Time: 3 Hrs.
1. Weightage by Objectives
| S. No. | Objectives | Marks | % of Total Mark |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Knowledge | 16 | 20% |
| 2. | Understanding | 40 | 50% |
| 3. | Application/Skill | 24 | 30% |
2. Weightage by type of questions
| Sl. No. | Type of Question | No. of questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Long Answer (LA) (4 marks) | 3 | 12 |
| 2. | Short Answer (SA) (3 marks) | 4 | 12 |
| 3. | Very Short Answer (2 marks) | 8 | 16 |
| Total | 15 | 40 | |
| 4. | MCQ (1 mark) # | 16 | 16 |
| 5. | Objective Type Questions (1*2 = 2 marks) ## [Fill in the blanks, match the column, paragraph or case-based questions, one-word questions, True False, etc.] |
12 | 24 |
| Total | 28 | 40 | |
| G. Total | 43 | 80 | |
# In Objective Type Questions of 1 mark: 16 Questions
# # In Objective Type Questions of 2 marks: 12 Questions
# # In subjective questions: 8 Questions of 2 marks (VSA), 4 Questions of 3 marks (SA), 3 Questions of 4 marks (LA) will have internal choices.
2. Weightage to difficulty level of question
| Estimated Level | Marks | Percentage of marks |
|---|---|---|
| Difficulty | 20 | 25 |
| Average | 40 | 50 |
| Easy | 20 | 25 |
| Total | 80 | 100 |
3. Weightage by Content
| Sl. | Module | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Library, Information and Society | 16 |
| 2. | Information Sources | 16 |
| 3. | Organization of Information Sources | 16 |
| 4. | Library and Information Services | 16 |
| 5. | (a)/(b) Management of Libraries/Information Retrieval Systems | 16 |
| Total | 80 | |
Two numbers matter most here. Objective questions alone carry 40 of the 80 marks, which is half the paper, and internal choice is available in every subjective question. A learner who revises definitions and one line facts thoroughly can secure a pass mark before touching a single long answer.
Fifty per cent of the paper tests understanding rather than memory. That is why writing answers in your own words scores better than copying a chapter. Our NIOS Class 12 notes are written to match this understanding weightage.
Module Wise Guide to Library and Information Science 339
Below is a plain reading of what each module actually asks you to learn. This is our own explanation of the course, written after guiding learners through the subject, and it is not a copy of the chart above.
Module 1 Library, Information and Society
This module starts with what a library is and why a society funds one. You learn the difference between a public library open to everyone, an academic library attached to a school or university, a special library serving one organisation, and the National Library. The modern library lesson then moves to automated, digital and virtual set ups, where catalogues sit on a computer and books may exist only as files.
The Five Laws of Library Science lesson is short but scoring. The five laws given by Dr S R Ranganathan appear again and again as one mark and two mark questions. Learn them in order, in exact words, and keep one example ready for each law.
Module 2 Information Sources
Here you learn how information is packaged. Sources are grouped as primary, secondary and tertiary, and you must be able to place an item such as a research journal, an encyclopaedia or a bibliography into the right group. Reference sources cover dictionaries, encyclopaedias, yearbooks, directories, atlases and biographical sources, each with a defined use.
The e-resources lesson is the most current part of the course. It covers e-books, e-journals, databases, open access material and the advantages and limits of digital reading. Case based objective questions are often set from this lesson, so read it with examples in mind.
Module 3 Organization of Information Sources
This module is the technical heart of the subject. Classification means giving each document a class number so that similar subjects stand together on the shelf, and you study the main Indian and international schemes. Cataloguing means preparing a record that lets a reader find a document by author, title or subject.
Processing covers everything that happens between a book arriving and a book reaching the shelf, including accessioning, technical processing and labelling. Arrangement and maintenance covers shelving order, stock verification, binding and preservation. Diagrams and step lists score well in this module.
Module 4 Library and Information Services
Services are studied in three layers. First, why services exist and who the users are. Second, traditional services, which are split into responsive services that answer a request and anticipatory services that reach the user before a request is made. Learn two clear examples of each, because the pair is a common comparison question.
Modern services then cover current awareness service, selective dissemination of information, document delivery, reprography, referral service and online services. This lesson sits on the TMA side, so a full answer with headings and examples is expected in your assignment.
Module 5(A) Management of Libraries
Choose this option if you prefer people and systems over technology. It covers how a library is organised as a system, the sections it runs, and the routine of acquisition, technical work, circulation and periodicals. The staff lesson explains professional, semi professional and support roles along with duties.
The user lesson looks at reader categories, user studies and user education. The final lesson treats librarianship as a career, covering qualification routes, job settings and professional bodies. Career style questions are usually easy to answer in your own words.
Module 5(B) Information Retrieval Systems
Choose this option if you enjoy searching and computers. It begins with what retrieval means, the parts of a retrieval system and terms such as recall and precision. Retrieval tools cover the catalogue and the index, including types of index entries and how indexing language works.
Search techniques cover basic searching by keyword and advanced searching using Boolean operators, truncation, phrase search and field limits. Web based search closes the module with search engines, directories, subject gateways and how to judge whether a web source is reliable.
Whichever option you pick, stay with it for the whole session. Your TMA answers, your notes and your board paper must all follow the same option, and switching midway leaves gaps. Learners who need the full lesson wise question set can request our NIOS Class 12 solved TMA pack for 339.
How to Prepare the NIOS Class 12 Library and Information Science Syllabus
Because the marks are shared equally across five modules, a module wise plan works better than a chapter by chapter crawl. A steady eight to ten week routine is enough for most learners who study for about an hour a day.
- Weeks 1 and 2. Finish Module 1 and Module 2. Make a one page sheet of definitions, types and examples. Write the Five Laws from memory every few days.
- Weeks 3 and 4. Take Module 3. Practise writing a catalogue entry and a classification example by hand, because this is where application marks are earned.
- Week 5. Cover Module 4 and start drafting your TMA answers for L-2, L-3, L-7, L-8, L-10 and L-14.
- Weeks 6 and 7. Complete your chosen Module 5 option and submit the TMA to your study centre well before the deadline.
- Week 8 onwards. Solve objective questions only, module by module, then attempt two full papers in three hours each.
Keep a separate objective notebook from day one. With 28 objective questions worth 40 marks in the paper, one page of one line facts per lesson is worth more in the last week than rereading the whole book.
Always check the current session dates and the assignment submission window on the official NIOS website before you plan, since these change from session to session. Our NIOS Class 12 syllabus hub carries the same lesson wise breakdown for other subjects.
TMA and Practical File Help for Library and Information Science 339
The assignment carries 20 marks and is marked by your tutor at the study centre. Answers copied word for word from the textbook lose marks for presentation and originality, and untidy files lose marks for structure. Both problems are avoidable.
What we prepare for learners taking this subject:
- Lesson wise solved answers for the six TMA lessons, written in simple language with headings and examples
- Handwritten or typed versions of the assignment, prepared in the NIOS front page format
- Objective question banks arranged module by module for last minute revision
- Practice papers built on the 80 mark pattern with the same question count
- Doubt clearing over WhatsApp and scheduled voice guidance for subject selection
If you are still choosing subjects, check the eligibility and subject combination rules for your stream first. Details are on our NIOS admission page, and our counsellors can confirm whether 339 fits your chosen combination.
Career Value of Library and Information Science 339
This subject teaches a skill that has moved well beyond bookshelves. Classifying material, describing it accurately and retrieving it quickly is the same skill that runs records departments, digital archives, school resource centres and content teams.
Learners who take 339 at Senior Secondary level often continue into a Bachelor of Library and Information Science or a certificate course, then work in school libraries, college libraries, government departments, research institutes and publishing houses. The Module 5(A) lesson on librarianship as a career maps these routes clearly.
For everyone else, the practical gain is information literacy. Knowing how to check whether a source is trustworthy, how to search with Boolean operators and how to organise your own files is useful in any degree or job you go on to take.
FAQs on the Library and Information Science 339 Syllabus
How many lessons are there in the Library and Information Science 339 syllabus?
There are eighteen lessons spread across five modules. Modules 1 and 2 have four lessons each, Modules 3 and 4 have three lessons each, and Module 5 has four lessons. Module 5 is a choice module with option A on Management of Libraries and option B on Information Retrieval Systems, so a learner studies one option and not both of them.
Which lessons come in the TMA for Library and Information Science 339?
Six lessons are assessed through the Tutor Marked Assignment. These are L-2 on types of libraries, L-3 on the modern library, L-7 on reference sources, L-8 on e-resources, L-10 on processing of library material, and L-14 on modern library services. Together they form forty per cent of the syllabus, while the other lessons are tested in the public examination paper.
What is the exam pattern for Library and Information Science 339?
The theory paper carries 80 marks and runs for three hours with 43 questions in total. It has 16 multiple choice questions of one mark, 12 objective questions of two marks, eight very short answers of two marks, four short answers of three marks and three long answers of four marks. Internal choice is provided in the subjective questions.
Should I choose option A or option B in Library and Information Science 339?
Both options carry the same 16 marks, so pick the one that suits you. Option A on Management of Libraries is descriptive and covers staff, users and career paths, which suits learners who write comfortably. Option B on Information Retrieval Systems covers catalogues, indexes, Boolean searching and web search, which suits learners who are at ease with computers.
Is Library and Information Science 339 a difficult subject to pass?
Most learners find it manageable because half the paper is objective and the language is descriptive rather than numerical. Half the marks test understanding, so answers written in your own words score better than memorised passages. Steady revision of definitions, types and examples from each module, along with practice papers, is usually enough to reach a comfortable score.
Does Library and Information Science 339 have a practical file?
Practical and file requirements differ by subject and by session, so always confirm the current rule for 339 with your study centre or on the official NIOS website before you prepare anything. Where practical work applies, it usually involves cataloguing and classification exercises. Our counsellors can check the requirement for your session and guide the file format.
How many marks does each module carry in Library and Information Science 339?
Every module carries exactly 16 marks in the 80 mark theory paper. That equal split applies to Library, Information and Society, Information Sources, Organization of Information Sources, Library and Information Services, and the chosen option in Module 5. Because no module is heavier than another, leaving one module out costs you a fifth of the paper straight away.
Where can I get the Library and Information Science 339 syllabus PDF?
The bifurcation of syllabus and the question paper design are published on the official NIOS website under the Senior Secondary course material section. The same content is reproduced on this page for quick reading. If you need the lesson wise notes, solved assignment answers or objective question banks alongside it, you can request them from our team on WhatsApp.
Final Words on the Library and Information Science 339 Syllabus
The NIOS Class 12 Library and Information Science syllabus rewards learners who plan around its structure. Five equal modules, six TMA lessons, one choice in Module 5 and forty marks of objective questions in the paper. Once those four facts sit in your head, the rest is steady reading and regular practice.
Start with the bifurcation chart, mark your six assignment lessons, choose your Module 5 option early and build a one line fact sheet as you go. If you get stuck on a lesson or on the assignment format, our team is one message away.
Disclaimer: Unnati Educations is an independent academic support platform and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS). The bifurcation of syllabus and question paper design shown on this page are reproduced from official NIOS documents for the convenience of learners. Always verify current syllabus, session dates and examination rules on the official NIOS website before making any decision.
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