Library & Information Technology

Develop your people skills, advanced computer skills, attention to details, and love of learning.

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Map
Start Date:
September
Duration:
2 Years
Credential:
Diploma
Delivery:
Full-timePart-Time (In-classOnline)

Locations

+Locations & Full-time Program Availability

Program Overview

The library technician is an important part of the library staff, occupying a position with a level of responsibility between a clerk and a librarian. Technicians support and assist librarians in the delivery of many library services. They may direct the work of clerical staff, student assistants, other library technicians, and, under the direction of a librarian, may be responsible for a section or department in a library. Technicians may also be in charge of a small library. (Guidelines for the Education of Library Technicians, CLA)

Librarian technicians bring excellent teamwork, communication and critical thinking skills to their work. This program prepares you for a rewarding career, one that requires an equal balance of people skills, advanced computer skills, attention to detail and love of learning. If you have a keen desire to help people then this program may be right for you.

Student Comments

  1. Cool Activity"Field trips to a variety of different information management facilities (libraries, archives, records management centers)."
  2. Why Take It"Helping other people find the information that they need and want and using your love of books."
  3. Favourite"The Aquisitions and Circulation and Multimedia courses."

Admission Requirements

  • High School Graduation Diploma or equivalent, including Academic Grade 12 English.

Choose NSCC

  • In addition to be delivered in-class on a full-time basis, this program is also delivered online on a full-time or part-time basis.
  • This is the only program in Atlantic Canada that follows the Canadian Library Association's Guidelines for the Education of Library Technicians.
  • You learn the technical requirements of the job and get practical hands-on experience through your work term. This ensures you're ready to start working when you graduate.

Employment Opportunities

  • Technicians are employed in all types of libraries: academic (college and university), public, school, and other organizations (government, business, industry, the professions, etc.). They also work in library-related jobs such as records management and archives.
  • Related occupations include Library Clerk (requires High School Graduation Diploma or less) and Librarian (requires a Master's degree in Library and Information Studies).

Our Grads

  • Graduates have found rewarding careers combining their work with other interests – for example, at science and art libraries.

Part-time Options

  • This program is available for part-time study. You have the option to complete your program online or through a combination of courses delivered in-class and online. View available courses »
  • If you choose a part-time study option, you must still apply to the program and meet all the admission requirements. Once accepted, you will be referred to a Registrar at one of our campuses to discuss your learning plan and schedule.
  • Tuition for part-time study is calculated on a per-course basis and is paid at the beginning of each term.
  • The time to complete a certificate or diploma program through part-time study will vary and depend on the schedule you choose and number of courses you complete each term.

Other Info

  • Experience in a library, whether paid or as a volunteer, is considered beneficial to success in this program and applicants are encouraged to seek out these opportunities.
  • Co-operative Education (Co-op) – This program is eligible for an optional Co-op credit course. Co-op provides an opportunity for paid employment (of at least 12-weeks) in a field related to your program between your first and second year.

Courses May Include

Course descriptions
Code Course
ARTS 1040   History of Western Civilization
ARTS 1060   English Literature
COMM 1235   Business Communications in Libraries
COMP 2105   Database I
COMP 2110   Spreadsheets I
INFM 1000   Records Management I
INFM 2000   Records Management II
LIBR 1000   Introduction to Libraries and Information Retrieval
LIBR 1002   Acquisitions and Circulation Procedures
LIBR 1003   Information Services I
LIBR 1005   Descriptive Cataloguing I
LIBR 1068   Readers' Advisory Services in Libraries
LIBR 2001   Subject Cataloguing I
LIBR 2002   Multimedia Services
LIBR 2003   Information Services II
LIBR 2010   Introduction to Management in Libraries
LIBR 2161   Computer Applications in Libraries
LIBR 3005   Descriptive Cataloguing II
LIBR 4001   Subject Cataloguing II
LIBR 4995   Work Experience
SAFE 1000   Introduction to WHMIS (Workplace Hazardous Materials Information Systems)
SAFE 1001   Introduction to NS OH&S Act
    Academic subject course requirements. Students must complete one unit of post secondary academic subject courses.
    Open elective course requirement. One unit/credit. NOTE: No two courses can be used to satisfy program requirements that are at the same level, subject area and topical area or that are otherwise deemed to be equivalent.

Additional Graduation Requirements

Milestone
Portfolio Development

Next Steps

  1. Application Process

    Who Can ApplyHow to Apply

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