Advanced Diploma in Library and Information Science

Purpose

The purpose of the Advanced Diploma in Library and Information Science qualification is to acquire an intensive, focused and applied specialisation which meets the current requirements of the Library and Information Science sector. Furthermore, to enable the learner to gain competence to deliver an effective information service in a global environment towards meeting the requirements of clients in a diverse and changing society. Learners achieving this qualification will be able to supervise and manage an information centre.

The development of the qualification was to provide Library and Information Science learners with an opportunity for vertical articulation, and, upon completion of the qualification, learners will be able to articulate into cognate NQF 8 qualifications, more especially, the Postgraduate Diploma in Library and Information Science. In the above regard, the qualification aims to contribute to the personal development and growth of learners by providing them with an opportunity to enhance their qualifications and provide them with the requisite knowledge and skills required for supervisory and managerial positions within the Library and Information Science sector.

Rationale

The Advanced Diploma falls within the broad ambit of the Faculty of Accounting and Informatics (FAI) and contributes to the natural progression from the Diploma in Library and Information Studies. With the phasing out of the BTech from 2020, there is a need for this qualification for those learners who wish to study further after completing the relevant qualification. Therefore, the need for the qualification addresses the opportunity for vertical integration of learners within the Library and Information Science sector.

Furthermore, in terms of stakeholder needs the National Council for Library and Information Services (NCLIS) became aware of an acute shortage of trained librarians. This shortage prompted the Department of Arts and Culture (DAC) and the NCLIS to investigate the demand for the skills and the education and training currently provided by higher education institutions for librarians, archivists, records managers and other information specialists (DAC report 2010). The Advanced Diploma in Library and Information Science aims at contributing to addressing this demand for specialised skills in the Library and Information Science sector.

The Library and Information Studies (LIS) qualification strives for excellence and sustainability in its contribution to the provision of relevant education and training, research and community engagement in the field of Library and Information Science to ensure that both the career aspirations of its learners and the regional and national library and information services needs of the country. The Qualification endeavours to best-serve the aims of reconstruction and development in keeping with the emphasis placed by the South African Government White Paper on Science and Technology - Preparing for the Twenty-First Century (September 1996) on widening the South African information technology infrastructure and in particular the role of library and information services therein. The LIS qualification is committed to the principles of democracy, transparency, integrity and respect in a people-centred context.

The advancement of Information and Communications Technologies, calls for Library and Information Science education to prepare learners for the current information society. Library and Information Science is an interdisciplinary field of study which includes from areas such as management, information technology and education, to collect, organise, preserve, and prioritise information resources. Specialisations in Library Sciences include studies in digital libraries, archives and records management, rare manuscripts, school library, and others. The Information and Communications Technology 4 modules and the Digitisation in libraries module provides learners with relevant knowledge and skills in evaluating and analysing current technology-related developments in applying within the related fields of Library and Information Science. Also, the progression of the 21st Century with regards to the changes in the Library and Information Science sector has provided an opportunity to create a new avenue for learners wanting to become specialists/professionals in the Library and Information Science sector. These two areas have merged to create a novel transdisciplinary niche qualification. Therefore, the need for this Advanced Diploma in Library and Information Science is justified.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The institution has an RPL policy in place that allows learners access to higher education by recognising their prior learning (short qualifications and work experience). RPL applications for the institution are received by the Centre for Excellence in Learning and Teaching (CELT). The learners are required to complete an RPL application document. Accompanying the RPL application must be certified copies of all previous qualifications and a comprehensive portfolio reflecting on extensive work learning. Once the institution's RPL coordinator has deemed the RPL application as being complete, the portfolio will be sent to the Department of Information and Corporate Management for assessment. The department will assess the learner's portfolio thoroughly against the relevant learning outcomes.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Diploma in Library and Information Studies, NQF Level 6.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at Level 7 totalling 120 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, 120 Credits

• Information and Communications Technology 4, 12 Credits.
• Knowledge Management, 12 Credits.
• Research Methodology, 16 Credits.
• Preservation and Conservation in Libraries, 16 Credits.
• Records Management, 16 Credits.
• Organisation and Representation of Information 4, 16 Credits.
• Advanced Literature Studies, 16 Credits.
• Digitisation in Libraries, 16 Credits.

1. Apply specialised skills and knowledge to make appropriate decisions in using emerging Information and Communication Technologies effectively and efficiently for managing, provision and access to information in the Library and Information Science sector.
2. Critically reflect on his/her continuing professional development through the inculcation of a culture of research in the Library and Information Science sector.
3. Demonstrate work ethics and teamwork in diverse cultural and religious Library and Information Science environments.
4. Apply relevant knowledge management principles so that they can create, share, use and manage information and knowledge within an organisation.
5. Conceptualise and apply the preservation and conservation strategies in the Library and Information sector.
6. Master the concepts of managing records in Library and Information providing agencies for the purpose of efficient and effective records keeping.
7. Become competent in indexing, abstracting and constructing thesaurus.
8. Apply high-level interventions in reading and literacy to develop an understanding and integrate the knowledge of children and young adults' literature.
9. Use current and emerging technologies as presented by the current industrial revolution to construct a clear understanding of the digitisation of library collections.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Define and explain the concepts, data, information and knowledge.
• Explain the role and value of information management.
• Discuss the different components and activities of information management systems.
• Explain the business information management system.
• Discuss the management of information resources.
• Explain the factors regarding the evaluation of hardware, software and vendor support.
• Discuss the security issues surrounding information management.
• Explain information management in a global environment.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Develop a culture of research in applying the various phases of the research process.
• Critically reflect on and apply quantitative/qualitative or mixed research methods to collect data.
• Develop general strategies for designing research processes.
• Generate research questions and hypotheses.
• Review appropriate literature critically.
• Develop a research proposal.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Discuss work ethics.
• Discuss teamwork approaches and mechanisms.
• Display work ethics in all relevant aspects in the provision of library and information services.
• Display teamwork in all aspects of the provision of library and information services.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Critically explain the definition and history of Knowledge Management in the context of information provision.
• Explain and discuss Knowledge Management Models.
• Critically discuss the nature of communication and KM in the organisation.
• Develop methods to acquire and capture information and knowledge.
• Acquire and store tacit and explicit information in relevant formats in preparation for dissemination in the Library and Information environment.
• Critically evaluate and explain the Knowledge Management life cycle.
• Establish knowledge networks within and outside the organisation.
• Customise Knowledge Management practices for individual Library and Information organisations.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Manage preservation and conservation units in the Library and Information sector.
• Ascertain tools used in preservation and conservation.
• Evaluate materials for preservation and conservation.
• Design a disaster management plan.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Critically evaluate the concept of records management.
• Analyse types of records (printed, electronic and internet-based) and the content of these records.
• Develop records management policies for the Library and Information institutions.
• Analyse, explain and critically discuss practices of records management.
• Critically discuss the theories and practices of preserving records for posterity and put in place measures to preserve records.
• Evaluate, critically discuss and apply tools used in records management.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7

• Discuss the information needs of users to indexing, abstracting and thesaurus construction.
• Distinguish the purpose and processes of between indexing, abstracting and thesaurus construction.
• Use controlled vocabulary and natural language to index journal articles.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8

• Critically analyse and explain the development of children and young adults' literature.
• Evaluate and critically discuss mass media publishing for children and young adults.
• Evaluate and critically explain current trends in publishing fiction for young adults.
• Develop children's and young adults' library collection for the provision of library and information services.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 9

• Assess the objectives of embarking on a digitisation project.
• Manage the digitisation process.
• Analyse the reasons for digitisation.
• Evaluate the feasibility for the digitisation of library collections.
• Pan a digitisation project.

Integrated Assessment

Assessment practices will be open, transparent, fair, valid, and reliable and ensure that no learner is disadvantaged in any way whatsoever. There will be the integration of the assessment of the modules entitled Knowledge Management; Information and Communications Technology into the assessments for discipline-specific modules such as Digitisation and Organisation and Representation of Information 4. Smaller projects in modules that draw knowledge from supporting subject areas. Integrated Assessment will be within the context of Research Skills within the modules.

The Integrated Assessments will make use of a range of formative and summative assessment tools to assess combinations of applied, and reflective competencies, which may include: research projects; written assignments; written tests; case studies and case presentations.