This part-time, distance education program has been designed to meet the needs of individuals already working in libraries or other information services who want to upgrade their qualifications.
Other applicants who can demonstrate the potential to successfully complete the program and secure employment as library and information technicians are also welcome.
A career in libraries or the information service industry demands a wide range of knowledge, skills and attitudes. Successful library and information technicians are service-oriented and able to:
- demonstrate good spoken and written communications skills
- work with minimal supervision
- pay close attention to detail and demonstrate accuracy in their work
- demonstrate good analytical skills
- demonstrate good interpersonal skills
- enjoy working with technology
- work effectively as a member of a team
Through a carefully designed program of studies that combines theory and hands-on practice, you learn to acquire, organize, produce, retrieve and disseminate information in print and electronic formats. The program is equivalent to the two-year, full-time library and information technician programs offered at other community colleges, but the part-time, distance education format enables you to learn without interrupting your current employment.
- Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD), general or advanced level or equivalent, or mature student status
- pass standing in grade twelve English at the general level, or equivalent
- library or information services experience is strongly recommended
You will be sent an Admission Requirements form when you register for LIBRLT110 Introduction to Libraries. You must sign and return this form to indicate that you have met the program's admission requirements.
Full- and part-time career opportunities exist in:
- public libraries and regional library services
- libraries and resource centers serving colleges, universities, elementary and secondary schools and school boards
- special libraries, such as those found in law offices, hospitals, corporations and government departments and agencies
- bibliographic utilities, online and library system vendors and electronic publishers
- the information services industry
- cultural and non-profit organizations
- systems departments within large libraries
Graduates of this program will receive:
You build essential information skills through a series of required technical courses. You broaden your subject background and develop your communication and computer skills through additional general studies and computer courses. You have the opportunity to enhance your information skills in specific areas of interest to you by selecting four library option (elective) courses from a series of courses on topics such as children's services, readers’ advisory work and special libraries.
The hours given for each course are equivalent classroom hours. Your workload for each course is 10-15 hours per week.
Click here for a flowchart depicting course prerequisite requirements.
Upon successful completion of the required courses and four library option (elective) courses, you must apply in writing to receive your diploma.
| Mandatory Courses: |
| LIBRLT110 |
Introduction to Libraries and the Information Industry |
39 hours |
| INFOLT390 |
Personal Computer Support for Library Technicians |
39 hours |
| INFOLT402 |
Electronic Publishing |
36 hours |
| LIBRLT220 |
Information Work I |
39 hours |
| LIBRLT420 |
Information Work II |
39 hours |
| LIBRLT425 |
Information Work III |
39 hours |
| LIBRLT435 |
Client Services |
36 hours |
| LIBRLT302 |
Descriptive and Access Cataloging I |
36 hours |
| LIBRLT305 |
Descriptive and Access Cataloging II |
36 hours |
| LIBRLT320 |
Subject Analysis and Classification |
39 hours |
| LIBRLT325 |
Indexing and Abstracting |
36 hours |
| INFOLT340 |
Database Design for Information Workers |
21 hours |
| LIBRLT351 |
Serials |
18 hours |
| LIBRLT350 |
Acquisitions |
36 hours |
| LIBRLT215 |
Collection Maintenance and Inventory Control |
36 hours |
| HRESLT150 |
Human Relations and Supervision |
36 hours |
| MGMT10041 |
Library Financial Management and Budgeting |
18 hours |
| WORKLT290 |
Field Work I |
105 hours |
| WORKLT490 |
Field Work II |
105 hours |
|
2 general education courses |
|
| Communications courses: Choose ONE |
| COMM10027 |
Organizational Business Communications |
45 hours |
| COMMLL041 |
Communications (Langs) |
48 hours |
| COMM10073 |
Introduction to Intercultural Communication |
45 hours |
| Literature courses: Choose ONE |
| COMMLLT06 |
Introduction to Children's Literature |
42 hours |
| COMMLLT11 |
Harry Potter to Aslan: Children's Literature |
45 hours |
| COMM10043 |
Science Fiction |
42 hours |
| COMM10095 |
Understanding Literature |
48 hours |
| Windows/Word/Excel course: Choose ONE |
| INFO10053 |
Computer Basics with Windows, Word and Excel |
36 hours |
| INFO10113 |
Computer Basics with Windows Vista, Word and Excel |
hours |
Library Option (elective) courses
Take four courses from the following list: |
| LIBRLT385 |
Children's Services and Issues |
36 hours |
| LIBRLT335 |
Multimedia |
36 hours |
| OADMRM100 |
Records and Information Management Fundamentals |
39 hours |
| LIBRRM103 |
Archives |
39 hours |
| LIBRLT225 |
Genre Fiction and Readers' Advisory Service |
36 hours |
| LIBR10002 |
Government Information |
36 hours |
| LIBR10003 |
Cataloging Electronic and Internet Resources |
36 hours |
| LIBRLT403 |
Special Libraries |
39 hours |
| LIBRLT405 |
Law Libraries and Legal Research |
36 hours |
| LIBRLT375 |
School Libraries |
39 hours |
| LIBR10001 |
Classifying with LCC (Library of Congress Classification) |
36 hours |
| LIBR10004 |
Health Libraries and Resources |
36 hours |
| LIBR10034 |
Youth Services and Issues |
36 hours |
All students graduating from this program at Mohawk College are automatically considered for the following three awards:
- Ontario Association of Library Technicians / Association des bibliotechniciens d'Ontario (Lohania and Halton Peel Regional Branches) Award presented annually to the graduate with the highest standing in Library Technical courses.
- The Library Technician Award presented annually to the graduate with the highest average in all courses taken as part of the Library and Information Technician diploma.
- The Geraldine Hughes Award presented annually to the graduate with the highest standing in cataloguing and classification courses.
Award winners will be determined for awards in the order listed above. Once a student has been granted one award, s/he is not eligible for the other two awards.
Mohawk College
Continuing Education catalogue
Distance Education