Post-Graduate Diploma In Library and Information Science

POST-GRADUATE DIPLOMA IN LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SCIENCE

NUST code:

 

DURATION:

2 Years

TYPE OF DEGREE:

POST GRAD DIPLOMA

CREDIT LOAD:

144

LEVEL 
 

8/9

ACCREDITATION ORGANISATION(S):

Zimbabwe Council for Higher Education (ZIMCHE)

 

The Post Graduate Diploma in Library and Information Science (PDLIS) is a basic qualification designed to impart information management skills to any graduate pursuing a professional career in Library and Information Science. It is a part-time programme. Successful PDLIS graduates may proceed to the Masters LIS programme.

 

 Regulations

These regulations should be read in conjunction with the General Regulations for Post-Graduate Studies and the Faculty of Communication and Information Science regulations.

 The degree shall be awarded to students who have successfully completed the programme and passed the examinations in accordance with the regulations set out below

Normally applicants should hold a first degree in any discipline from a recognised university. A teaching diploma or relevant post qualification work experience would be added advantages.

 

Programme duration and content

  • Normally the programme shall be completed in not less than 15 months on a part-time block release basis.
  • Stages I and II will consist of 5 courses each and Stage III will consist of 4 courses, 3 of which are compulsory and 1 elective.
  • Electives offered in any academic year will be determined by the availability of lecturers and demand.
The programme shall consist of 3 Stages and each Stage is equivalent to a semester.
The programme shall normally commence at the beginning of each calendar year.

 

 Mode of instruction

  • Each module will be formally presented through lectures, seminars and workshops.
  • Students will be requested to submit a maximum of 3 written assignments for each course.
  • Interaction between students and course lecturers may be extended to outside the prescribed contact hours on an individual or small group basis through a mentor system.

 Assessment

  • A formal 3 hour written examination shall be conducted in all taught courses.
  • Examinations will be subject to external assessment.
  • Students shall submit a written research paper.
  • The pass mark is 50%. Candidates may be allowed to proceed carrying only two (2) courses to the next Stage or Part.
  • No candidate may carry over a particular Course for more than two (2) years.
  • No candidate will be allowed to proceed to Stage 3 (Dissertation) without clearing all Courses in Stages 1 and 2.

 

Programme Profile

 

Degree type

Post-Graduate Diploma

Credit Load

144

SADC-QF Level

8/9

Accrediting authority

Zimbabwe Council for Higher Education (ZIMCHE)

Date of Accreditation

 

 

Structure of the Programme

The programme shall consist of 3 Stages and each Stage is equivalent to a semester.

The programme shall normally commence at the beginning of each calendar year.

 Normally the programme shall be completed in not less than 15 months on a part-time block release basis.

Stages I and II will consist of 5 courses each and Stage III will consist of 4 courses, 3 of which             are compulsory and 1 elective.

Electives offered in any academic year will be determined by the availability of lecturers and demand.

 

Purpose of the Programme

To provide opportunity to graduates from various disciplines involved in information-related work to acquire information management skills.

 To produce professionals that display simultaneously mastery of both indigenous and global knowledge systems.

 

Programme Characteristics

Areas of Study

            The programme focuses on several key areas including:

  • Management of school library media centres
  • Processing and organisation of knowledge
  • Developing and managing school library collections
  • Recognition of indigenous knowledge systems in school library media centres
  • Development and use of modern technologies in school library media centres
  • Integration of school library media centres with the school curriculum

 

Orientation

            The programme gives equal weight to theory and practice.

 Career Opportunities and Further Education

Graduates will work in school libraries as school librarians or teacher-librarians and other types of libraries or information centres where opportunity arises. They will be able to work as managers or middle managers or at decision-making levels. Graduates of the programme qualify to proceed to Masters Programmes in library and information science, records and archives management, teacher training institutions, among others.

Programme Delivery

Teaching and learning methods include lectures, tutorials, seminars, laboratory practicals, group work, industrial visits, industrial attachment, research projects, and independent study. Students are assessed through essays, tests, oral presentations, practical work, and an in-depth research paper among other methods.

Programme Competencies

  • Ability to analyse and synthesise information.
  • Methodological problem solving.
  • Critical thinking.
  • Verbal and written skills
  • Ability to reason and argue persuasively.
  • Commitment to integrity and ethical conduct.

 

Discipline Specific Competencies

  • Managing school library media centres
  • Developing and managing collections of various formats
  • Supporting the school curriculum with relevant library materials
  • Integrating the school library media centre with the school curriculum

 

Minimum Body of Knowledge

Application of information technology skills in information communication ranging from using technology tools to web technology tools.
 Organisation of knowledge classification, cataloguing, indexing abstracting. information retrieval and dissemination.
 Management and development of library collections
 Information and media literacies essential to 21st century global economy bound by information ethics
Information database creation, maintenance and management as well as information systems management
Content management through web design and use of contemporary ICT tools such as blogs, wikis, cloud computing, online learning
Communication and publicity skills to pursue careers in the communication and public relations fields.
Digital Librarianship
Practical skills in user orientation and education, knowledge management
Information literacy skills to enable students to engage with the society.
Research skills to identify problems and suggest solutions for the benefit of society.

Scheme of Examination and Assessment

Faculty regulations for examinations shall apply.

Candidates must pass all courses in one Stage before proceeding to the next.

 

Research paper

Each candidate is required to submit a Mini Dissertation of approximately 5 000 words on a topic of his/her choice, which is approved by the Department.
The paper shall be submitted not later than 2 months before date of publication of results. The student must submit two loose bound copies for marking and two
hard bound copies for presenting one each to his/her supervisor and to the Library.
 
The format of the research paper shall be as provided for in the General Regulations for Post-Graduate Studies.

The Grading scheme is as follows:

Distinction               -           80% and above

Merit                       -           70-79%

Credit                     -           60-69%

Pass                       -           50-59%

Fail                         -             0-49%

Grading scheme and weighting of the degree

Examinations will constitute sixty percent (60%) of the marks whilst forty percent (40%) of the         marks will come from the continuous assessment.

Taught courses will contribute seventy percent (70%) of the overall mark whilst thirty percent          (30%) of the marks will come from the research paper.


Award of the PDLIS

The PDLIS shall be awarded in accordance with the General Regulations on Marking Scheme and Degree Classification.

 In order to be awarded the diploma, a candidate must have passed all taught courses and must have       satisfactorily completed the research paper.

 

Stage I

PDL 5301        Communication skills (10 Credits)

PDL 5302        Information behaviour (10 Credits)

PDL 5303        Organisation of knowledge (10 Credits)

PDL 5304        Collection development and management (10 Credits)

PDL 5305        Information and society (10 Credits)

 

Stage  II

PDL 5306        Research methods in information science (10 Credits)

PDL 5307        Application of information technology tools in information centres (10 Credits)

PDL 5308        Reference services and retrieval systems (10 Credits)

PDL 5309        Web applications and design (12 Credits)

PDL 5310        Indigenous knowledge systems (10 Credits)

 

Stage III

Core modules

PDL 5311        Management of information centres (12 Credits)

PDL 5312        Project management (10 Credits)

PDL 5300        In-depth research paper (minimum 5 000 words)(10 Credits)

 

Electives (Choose one)

PDL 5313        Integration of libraries in education (10 Credits)

PDL 5314        Records and archives administration (10 Credits)

PDL 5315        Information and knowledge management (10 Credits)

PDL 5316        Information and rural development (10 Credits)

PDL 5317        Publishing management: advanced theory and practice (10 Credits)

 

Stage I

PDL 5301          Communication skills (10 credits)

The module seeks to introduce students to communication theories through to practical skills employed in interpersonal communication within a working environment. Group dynamics and aspects of non-verbal communication models are also examined. It consists of 10 units all modelled for delivery through lectures, class discussion, practical exercises and written work.

 

PDL 5302          Information Behaviour (10 credits)

The module focuses on the theory and practice of information seeking and retrieval. It surveys different classes of information resources to establish characteristics of the resources and the information seeking behaviour employed by the users of the resources. Focus will also be on contemporary issues and trends in the production, publication and the dissemination of the resources. Bibliographical sources and other guides to the different classes of the resources are emphasised. Local examples will be stressed upon.

 

PDL 5303          Organisation of Knowledge (10 credits)

Focus shall be on subject analysis and control, indexing theory as well as the structure, compilation and application of indexing languages including thesauri, subject lists and classification schemes. The module also covers theories and practices of the organisation of knowledge and information in monographic, electronic, realia and serial formats. Central issues include principles and methods of descriptive cataloguing (AACR2), catalogue maintenance and MARC coding.

 

PDL 5304          Collection Development and Management (10 credits)

The module covers purposes, policies and criteria for the selection, evaluation, acquisition and circulation of information resources including special materials, online and web-based resources. Issues on interlibrary lending and resource sharing, use of basic bibliographic tools as well as reviewing media will be covered.

 

PDL 5305       Information and Society (10 credits)

The module highlights the importance of information and communication to the individual, family, socialising agencies and social organisations for a variety of purposes within nation-states, regional groupings and the global society. The institutionalisation and professionalisation of information provision through various kinds of institutions like libraries, archives and media organisations is given prominence. Students are sensitised to the impact of information and communication technologies (ICTS) on information handling and in society.

 

 

Stage II

PDL 5306          Research Methods in Information Science (10 credits)

Focus is on developing an understanding of the nature of scientific research. Formulation of the research problem, research questions, hypotheses, research design, sampling, data collection and analysis and writing of research reports are covered. Techniques on reviewing literature will also be imparted to students. Both quantitative and qualitative methods for research in information science are included.

 

PDL 5307          Application of Information Technology Tools in Information Centres (10 credits)

The module introduces students to information technology tools and the use of commercially available computing hardware and software. Emphasis is placed on the educational and administrative value of information technology. Topics covered include accessing geographically distributed Internet information, electronic communication, word processing and document design, data modelling with spread sheets, database design and maintenance for information storage, retrieval and presentation.

 

 

 

PDL 5308          Reference Services and Retrieval Systems (10 credits)

Students study the functions and types of reference and information services. Reference tools, both print and electronic are examined with emphasis on the evaluation of the various types of materials (eg, bibliographies, indexes, dictionaries and encyclopaedias). The module also involves the design of information literacy programmes, study of question-answering techniques in a reference interview and use of feedback. An advanced study of major online information retrieval systems is included.

 

PDL 5309          Web Applications and Design (12 credits)

The module has a practical focus. Emerging Internet-based applications and technologies like Web 2.0 are making it imperative to move beyond traditional GUI applications to deliver interactive applications that provide the best of the web and the best of the desktop experience. The course will therefore seek to acquaint students with best practices in designing websites. The thrust is to get the student to appreciate the use of web-based applications in a library environment.

 

PDL 5310          Indigenous Knowledge Systems (10 credits)

The module explores the features and the significance of indigenous knowledge systems from cultural, historical, spiritual and development perspectives; and its relationship with imported knowledge systems. It is expected to develop an appreciation of issues involved in the perpetual debate concerning the constituents of knowledge as well as the various approaches of validating knowledge such as positivism, testimony, tacit understanding, experience, and faith, for example. More specifically, students would appreciate the features, status, value, weaknesses and challenges of organising indigenous knowledge systems in modern society. Consideration will be given to the question of how library and information services can embrace all forms of knowledge systems.

 

 

Stage  III

PDL 5311          Management of Information Centres (12 credits)

The module covers the purposes, philosophy, policy, principles and practices associated with a variety of libraries: public, school, academic, special, digital and their hybrids. The relationship between information centres and their parent organisations will be stressed. Aspects on service quality including the underlying theories like SERVQUAL, LibQUAL and others will be studied. Special attention will be given to clientele types and their needs in planning, organising, budgeting, staffing and marketing of services. Students will be encouraged to focus on current trends.

 

PDL 5312          Project Management (10 credits)

The purpose of the module is to enable students to design and implement information related projects in various work settings. The project life cycle aspects like identification, purpose, planning, implementation, managing, utilising resources in the environment as well as feasibility assessment of a project will be stressed. Emphasis will be on relevance to local people and needs.

 

 

 

PDL 5300          Mini Dissertation (10 credits)

Students will engage in self directed study, under the supervision of a member of staff, on a topic of their choice in information science. The investigation may involve original research or the compilation of a bibliography, the synthesis and evaluation of literature. Concepts and methodologies from other disciplines may be applied where appropriate.

 

Electives

PDL 5313       The Integration of Libraries in Education (10 credits)

The focus of this module is to show the role of libraries in supporting education from the cradle to the grave. Special stress will be given to those libraries that support formal education at all levels. The contribution of libraries to life long learning will also be covered.

 

PDL 5314          Records and Archives Administration (10 credits)

The module focuses on the importance of current documents and archival materials, their management and storage. Included is the nature of current documents and archival materials, the principles of their creation, acquisition, arrangement and bibliographic control. The course also looks at the role of document management and archival service for researchers.

 

PDL 5315          Information and Knowledge Management (10 credits)

This module provides an overview of the scope and complexities of information and knowledge management relating to organisational records and information, irrespective of format. It is intended to impart an understanding of the theory and practices that underpin information and knowledge management and to introduce students to the concepts and applications of information and knowledge management techniques. It also explores the various areas related to organisational information management which include archival management, electronic record management, information preservation, and information resources management.

 

PDL 5316          Information and Rural Development (10 credits)

Based on the unique and somewhat complicated nature of rural communities, the module emphasises the importance of information as an empowering tool in such communities. Issues covered include the importance of information and information centres in literacy development, poverty alleviation and national development, at large. The interests and roles of stakeholders in rural development, including non-governmental organisations, local leadership, central and local government as well as  aspects on community profiling for setting-up information infrastructure like information and communication technologies will also be included.

 

PDL 5317          Publishing Management: Theory and Practice (10 credits)

This module sets out the basics of efficient, economical and prudent management of time and money in publishing. It is intended to equip students with techniques that contribute to success, whether they are doing school books, readers, trade books and journals or magazines. The course critiques open tenders and contracts as well as the private sector open competitive markets. The role of astute tactics of managing and motivating teams, use of resources and time to market issues are considered using evidence and the experiences of various stakeholders. The principles espoused will be based on textbook publishing, but attention will be given to other types of publishing. The role of managers to ask the right questions regarding application of resources and use of information in programme planning and project development will be stressed.

   

Stage 1

$500

Stage 2

$590

Stage 3

$590

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