Diploma in Library/Information Studies

Admission Requirements:

• Persons are eligible to be admitted to study for the Diploma in Library/Information Studies if they have:
1. passed a Senate-recognised Form 7 examination or equivalent or
2. admission with standing.

Programme Requirements:

• The Diploma in Library/Information Studies consists of 10 courses.

Courses:

1. LS101 (Introduction To Library/Information Studies) - The course introduces students to the role of libraries in society, the responsibilities of librarians and other library and information professionals, and current issues such as literacy and intellectual freedom.


2. LS102 (Building the Library/Information Centre) - This course looks at the policies involved in selecting books and other resources for the development of the collection. Students will prepare a collection development policy, discuss the book trade and take an in-depth look at various selection tools.


3. LS103 (Organising Library/Information Resources) - This course runs over two semesters, commencing with the 15-week calendar in Semester I. It covers four basic areas, namely descriptive cataloguing and machine readable codes (MARC), subject classification, Dewey classification and filing principles.


4. LS104 (Library/Information Services) - The course will study what constitutes good reference service, including the reference interview, and services to rural populations. The course gives an in-depth look at reference sources (print and electronic), as well as reader services and reference service evaluation.


5. LS205 (Management Library/Information Centers) - This course studies the theories and principles of management highlighting the systems approach as applied to libraries/information centres. It covers personnel management and supervision, preparation of budgets and records management, describes considerations in the physical planning of libraries and the problems of maintenance of buildings, facilities and resources.


6. LS210 (Information Environment Today) - LS210 looks at challenges to the management of Pacific libraries in the 21st century. Students are invited to consider the issues of the information society, automation and digitisation, as well as how the new technologies affect traditional services in academic, public, school and special libraries.


7. UU114 (English For Academic Purposes) - By the end of this course students will be expected to have achieved a proficiency in academic writing, reading and speaking sufficient to support their language needs in courses in the humanities, social science or sciences and in future professional tasks.


8. plus three (3) degree-level courses.

Note: Please click on the course codes to access detailed information about the course from the USP database.