Duration
2 years
Intake dates
January
What does this course involve?
If you’re looking to start your career as a library technician, working as part of a library or information services team, the Diploma of Library/Information Services course will give you two years of essential training. Certificate IV in Library/Information Services is the first year of this course.
This course will give you a combination of clerical, communication, computer and technical skills.
You’ll learn how to supervise staff, train small groups, and establish effective working relationships.
You’ll also develop skills in referencing, cataloguing, circulation, database searching and using information technology.
Entrance requirements
Australian Year 12 or equivalent with a pass. Relevant employment experience in industry will be considered.
English Language Proficiency
A minimum IELTS overall score of 5.5 (Academic).
A minimum TOEFL score of 530 for paper examination; 179 for computer based and 71 for Internet based.
Special admission requirements
None.
Cost
Aus $9,500 per year
plus amenities and materials fees.
What employment opportunities will I have?
This course may provide you with employment as a library technician in school, university, institute, public, special, state and national libraries.
You may also find employment in information agencies, booksellers, library supply agencies and library software suppliers.
You may wish to apply for membership with the Australian Library and Information Association as a library technician.
As a student, the Institute’s Employment Service is your first port of call for advice on gaining employment in this field, and can be contacted on
1300 BOX HILL (1300 269 445).
What further study options will I have?
You may wish to progress into the Advanced Diploma of Library/Information Services or other professional librarianship courses and gain credits for studies already undertaken.
Accreditation
Nationally Recognised
Unit of Competency Details
Year 1 Core
All competencies must be completed.
CUEOHS01B – Implement workplace health, safety and security procedures - (60 hours)
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to implement occupational health and safety policies and practices in the workplace where an established OHS framework already exists. It covers a range of industry contexts involving a variety of different conditions and hazards.
CULLB002A – Obtain information from external and networked sources to meet customer needs - (20 hours)
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to source and obtain information from external and networked sources to meet customer needs.
CULLB412B – Undertake cataloguing activities - (100 hours)
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to complete basic copy or original descriptive cataloguing and catalogue maintenance activities. This work is carried out in accordance with established procedures and guidelines.
CULLB602B – Use, evaluate and extend own information literacy skills - (50 hours)
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to evaluate and extend own information literacy skills as a professional information provider.
Year 1 Elective
Choose 6 from the following:
Year 2 Core
All competencies must be completed.
BSZ404A – Train small groups - (30 hours)
This unit covers the requirements for planning, delivering and reviewing training provided for the purposes of developing competency on a one-to-one or small group basis.
CULLB003A – Research and analyse information to meet customer needs - (80 hours)
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to source and obtain information from external and networked sources to meet customer needs.
CULLB506B – Catalogue and classify material - (100 hours)
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to analyse, catalogue and classify material to facilitate customer access. The unit focuses on subject cataloguing and requires a sound understanding of bibliographic organisation methods and the ability to use interpretation, judgement to deviate from precedent where necessary. A library technician working autonomously would generally undertake this role.
CULLB508B – Monitor and enhance information access - (50 hours)
The unit describes the skills and knowledge required to monitor and enhance the service provider's information systems and services. As such, it focuses on the monitoring and evaluation of new technological developments and the development of strategies to enhance existing services or introduce new services.
CULLB509B – Select and acquire information materials - (50 hours)
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to coordinate information selection and acquisition for a small collection, or a limited part of a large collection.
BSBFLM503A – Establish effective workplace relationships - (60 hours)
Frontline management plays an important role in developing and maintaining positive relationships in internal and external environments so that customers, suppliers and the organisation achieve planned outputs/outcomes. At this level, work will normally be carried out within complex and diverse methods and procedures which require the exercise of considerable discretion and judgement, using a range of problem solving and decision making strategies.
Year 2 Electives
Choose 8 from the following:
BSZ401A – Plan assessment - (15 hours)
This unit covers the requirements for planning an assessment in a specific context. The unit details the requirements for determining evidence requirements, selecting appropriate assessment methods and developing an assessment tool in a specific context.
CUEIND03A – Integrate accessibility principles into work practices - (80 hours)
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to integrate the principles of universal access into all work practices. As such the unit focuses on a general knowledge of accessibility issues and the ways in which work practices may be reviewed and adjusted to ensure the needs of those with disabilities are met. This unit is written so that it may be contextualised to meet particular industry requirements.
CUFMEM12A – Update web pages - (30 hours)
This unit describes the skills required to update the information on a website within the cultural industries.
CULLB004A – Process information resource orders - (40 hours)
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to process orders for information resources in accordance with organisational acquisition procedures.
CULMS009A – Implement preventative conservation activities - (60 hours)
This unit describes the skills and knowledge to provide general preventive care for cultural material. As such, the unit focuses only on environmental monitoring, condition assessment and the overall implementation of disaster preparedness measures. Basic treatments and 'hands-on' work with collection items is found int he unit CULMS010A Contribute to the preservation of cultural material.
CULMS506B – Plan and develop activities, events and programs - (60 hours)
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to plan and develop activities, events or programs for different customer groups. In a museum and library context, education will often be a key focus of activities. Skills for the actual delivery of activities, events or programs are found in the unit CULM406B Deliver information, activities and events.
CULMS610B – Research, describe and document cultural material - (50 hours)
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to research, describe and document cultural material. The unit focuses on assessing and articulating the significance of cultural material, requires the application of significant judgement and is conducted under limited guidance.
CUSADM03A – Manage a project - (50 hours)
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to manage a straightforward project or a section of a larger project. It focuses on essential project management skills and the need to meet deadlines for outcomes and products. For projects that involve large budgets, substantial numbers of staff and complex outcomes, see the unit CUSADM04A Manage a major project.
ICAITU126B – Use advanced features of computer applications - (40 hours)
This unit defines the competency required to utilise computer applications to their full capacity employing all advanced features as required.
ICPMM65DA – Create web pages with multimedia - (50 hours)
This unit covers the uses of HTML, file types and principles of web page design. Types of web authoring software are identified and selected in accordance with type of authoring task and workplace procedures
