Course description
About the course
The 'Information Age' has brought a growing demand for knowledge and information in education, at work and in leisure. Libraries and other information agencies are meeting that demand.
People are the most important element of an information agency or library. Graduates provide the necessary link between the information resources (books, magazines, audio-visual media, maps, electronic information and so on) and the users of that information.
Libraries and information agencies meet the needs of their users by providing access to materials and services. Trained professionals collect, organise, store and make readily accessible the vast amount of information disseminated by, and for, the community. Many graduates will become involved in the management of people and resources and will require knowledge of modern management techniques.
Where it will take you
Almost any large organisation requiring information needs people and a system to procure, organise, retain and locate information.
The following organisations provide and fund libraries:
* federal government, such as the National Library and departmental libraries
* state governments, such as state and departmental libraries,
* school libraries, TAFE libraries
* college and university libraries
* local government public libraries
* others such as commercial firms, industrial firms, research organisations, artistic and cultural organisations and a wide variety of specialist libraries.
Graduates are also qualified to work with information agencies in areas such as information brokerage, knowledge management, community information services (generally government-sponsored) and commercial computer enterprises.
An increasing number of graduates are finding careers outside the traditional library environment. Graduates are employed in fields such as publishing, book selling, editing, arts and educational administration and research, public relations, web content management, knowledge management and freelance and consultancy work such as storytelling, systems design, cataloguing, staff training and continuing education.
Your course is recognised by industry
This degree meets the requirements of the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) for a first professional qualification. Graduates may be admitted to Associate (Professional) Membership of the ALIA without further examination.
Professionals teaching you
This course is taught by dedicated professionals with a wide range of industry experience in the disciplines of library and information management.
The latest facilities
To make sure you are experienced in using the equipment and techniques found in the workplace, our facilities include:
* modern computer facilities with the latest information management software
* an increasing focus on providing access to support and resources
* through the Internet, email, listservers and online forums (students must have internet access to be able to complete the course)
* comprehensive and dedicated online library services.
Practical experience
There is one professional study visit (four days), a three-week professional placement and a professional activity subject which requires students to attend, evaluate and report on a minimum of 30 hours of professional activities (such as conference sessions, seminars, workshops) of value to the development of library and information services professionals.
Residential schools
There is a compulsory four-day residential school scheduled at the beginning of the first session of the course. Normally no exemptions will be permitted. Residential schools may also be required as part of some non-library academic subjects.
Graduation requirements
To graduate, students must satisfactorily complete 192 points.
Further study
Further courses in Library Science and Information Management include:
Bachelor of Applied Science (Library and Information Management) / Bachelor of Information Technology
Graduate Certificate in Applied Science (Library Science/Information Management)
Graduate Certificate in Applied Science (Information Literacy)
Graduate Certificate in Audiovisual Archiving
Master of Applied Science (Library and Information Management)
Master of Education (Teacher Librarianship)
Master of Applied Science (Teacher Librarianship)
