Diploma in Library / Information Studies: Now updated for 2013

  School of Education and USP Library

About the Program Eligibility Course structure Our Graduates Contact

About the Program

The School of Education and the University of the South Pacific Library (Training Section) and with USP Distance & Flexible Learning Support Centre (DFL) offers courses and programs at academic level in Library/Information studies. The courses are directed at library assistants in Pacific libraries who wish to gain formal qualifications at a paraprofessional level in library/information skills and basic library management.

The programs are available by distance education - you will receive printed course materials, as well as online course pages that allow you to ask questions, talk with other students and submit your assignments electronically. Four satellite tutorials are provided during the semester, and you are strongly encouraged to attend all of these. Students in the Suva area can also attend tutorials in between the satellite classes. PowerPoint presentations from all classes are shared on the online course pages. 

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Eligibility

Students are eligible to study for the Diploma in Library/Information studies if they have:

• Completed the Certificate in Librarianship (ceased 1993) or its equivalent, and it is highly desirable to complete LLF11 Communication and Study Skills 1; or

From 2009, students can be admitted to a Diploma in Library/Information Studies if they have:

• Passed a Senate recognised Form 7 or equivalent examination, including English; or
• Met the mature student admission criteria which normally include at least three years experience in a library, and a pass in LLF11 Communications and Study Skills or equivalent.
• Completed a L/IS Certificate in Basic Skills in Library/Information Studies, and a pass in LLF11 or equivalent*

Students entering under c) must pass the first Diploma course: LS101 Introduction to Library/Information Studies before enrolling in other L/IS courses.

Pre-requisite

• The pre-requisite for the Diploma was approved by USP in 2008.

What if I failed LLF11?

If you have failed LLF11, you must re-sit and achieve a pass if you wish to enter the Diploma.

What about my English Language Skills Assessment (ELSA) result?

• If you have received a 3 or above in the ELSA ratings, we will consider waiving the pre-requisite. Each case will be treated separately.

Note - The Certificate in Basic Skills in Library /Information Studies is now accepted as a prerequisite to the Diploma program.

 

 

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Course Structure

For students registered before 2013 there are 10 courses, as follows:

Core Courses (7 Courses)

UU/LL114	English for Academic Purposes
LS101	Introduction to Library/Information Studies
LS102	Building the Library/Information Centre Resource Collection
LS203	Organising Library/Information Centre Resources
LS204	Library/Information Sources and Services
LS205	Management of the Library/Information Centre  (prerequisite LS/HU101, LS/HU102, LS/HU103 or LS203 and LS/HU104 or LS204)
LS310	The Information Environment Today (prerequisite LS/HU205)

Note: LS310 replaces HU206, HU207, HU208 and HU209. If you have passed any one of the courses, this will be accepted in place of LS310.

Students enrolled from 2013 will complete 12 courses for their Diploma, which now includes UU100 and one additional elective (until LS203 is split in two).

Plus any three (or four) academic courses at 100 or 200 level (not library courses). We suggest you consider the following list of elective courses to help prepare you for different library careers:

ED101 Early Childhood Development
IS121: Information Systems I
LL108 Introduction to Children’s Literature
LW110 Law and Society
MG101 Introduction to Management
PD101 Introduction to Population Studies

Please discuss your choice with the relevant course coordinator. These are suggestions only, you may choose other USP academic courses at 100 or 200 level.

All L/IS courses are 15 weeks except for LS203, which is 30 weeks.

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Our Graduates

Work as paraprofessionals in libraries throughout the region.
They are trained to:

• operate basic library systems such as cataloguing,  acquisitions and circulation
• answer simple ready reference queries
• supervise and train junior staff
• undertake basic cataloguing procedures
• collect, record and prepare information for in-house reference files and indexes
• undertake ordering and accessioning procedures
• process Interlibrary loans
• identify materials in need of repair, ensuring accurate and timely repairs are carried out 
• operate circulation systems
• undertake bibliographic checking 
• assist with provision of reference and research services
• evaluate and select equipment, supplies and suppliers.
• assist in the development and presentation of promotional programs, including displays and library tours
• select and prepare information for publicly-available data bases
• compile indexes
• operate small libraries, under supervision

All USP students are required to sit an English Language Skills Assessment (ELSA) before commencing 100-level courses.
Click here for a sample ELSA test. For more information contact USP Centre for Excellence in Learning and Teaching (CELT) on +679 323 2608.

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Contact

Pam Bidwell
Coordinator.
Diploma in Library/Information Studies
University of the South Pacific Library
Laucala Campus
Suva, Fiji
Tel.: +679 323 2829
Fax:  +679 323 1528
E-mail: libtrain(at)usp.ac.fj