History of Programmes

1972-1980 - Fiji Certificate in Librarianship began.

The Fiji Certificate had the remarkable distinction of not having any budget. All lectures were voluntary, offered in the 'spare time' of USP Library staff. It was the only library qualification offered in the region and emphasised basic library practices. It was best suited for the assistant who worked under the guidance of a professional. When this program ended in December 1980, 72 persons had gained the Certificate. These included a few regional people who were able to get aid to come to Fiji.

1981-1993 - Certificate in Librarianship

In July 1981, the USP Senate approved the offer of a programme under the auspices of the Extension Services and the Institute of Education. Support for the Certificate in Librarianship in Semester One, 1981, was the first formal commitment by the University to library education in the South Pacific.

1991 - Diploma in Library/Information Studies

As information needs of South Pacific countries became more complex, policy makers, government departments, research and educational bodies, international organisations and the public required increasingly high levels of competence and skills from their library/information services.

In 1989 a decision was made by USP to phase out the old Certificate and replace it with the Diploma in Library/Information Studies. By December 2004, 89 students had graduated with the Diploma.

1998 - Certificate in Basic Skills in Library/Information Studies

At the same time, there was and is still a strong demand for basic library skills in many of the small libraries of the Pacific. In 1991 the Cook Islands, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Niue, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Western Samoa and Fiji stated that the Certificate should be revised and continued. Since then there was growing pressure from the region and Fiji to reinstate the Certificate.

Those concerned recommended a level of education before the Diploma. They believed that such education should not be a "dead-end", but should be an academic program leading to the Diploma. Such a program would give students the opportunity to enhance their academic knowledge and professional skills.

The Certificate in Basic Skills in Library/Information Studies was approved by USP in 1997 and first offered in 1998. By December 2004, 118 students had graduated with the Certificate.

2013: Changes to Certificate programme

The Certificate in Basic Skills in Library/Information Studies is set to change to the Certificate in Library and Information Studies (Level 4). The previous Certificate was closed in the first semester of 2013 under the School of Education, and will re-emerge as a new five course vocational qualification with the Regional Centre for Continuing & Community Education.