The BA Information & Library Studies major combines major and elective courses that are specifically focused on the New Zealand library and information environment, leading students through a broad range of subject areas, with opportunities for specialisation in topics of the student's choice.

An understanding of the skills and knowledge of traditional librarianship is combined with contemporary advances in information technology and the rapidly changing management of information services.

Graduates in Information & Library Studies will be equipped to work at management level in a variety of library and information positions. These include public and tertiary libraries, schools, business in both public and private sectors, and other environments where the provision of information and research skills have a central role.

Download a copy of the brochure for this programme and the Course Information Handbook 
( .pdf 932kb and 551kb) documents will open in a new window.

Programme structure

To complete a BA with an Information & Library Studies major, you will be required to gain 360 credits by passing courses selected from the following:

Major courses (180 credits)

Level 5

72142 Information Access

or

72175 Principles of Records Management

72170 The Information Industry
72171 Library Systems and Processes

Level 6

72270 Information Sources and Services
72271 User Education and Reference Skills
72276 Literature and Information Resources for Children and Young People OR
72277 Library Services for Children and Young People OR
72272 Cataloguing and Classification

Level 7

72370 Information Issues
72371 Policy and Planning for Information Services
74342 Research Paper OR 74347 Practicum

Elective courses (180 credits)

Electives can be selected as follows: 120 credits from major courses offered in the BA by the Open Polytechnic; 60 credits from any degree course offered by an accredited New Zealand Institution.

Please check for prerequisites and availability.

Course availability

See the Course availability page

Entry requirements

See the Bachelor of Arts page

Level of study

Hours of study

We suggest you begin your studies at Level 5 and work your way up to the next levels. You may gain a maximum of 160 credits at Level 5 and a minimum of 80 credits at Level 7.

If you want to complete your degree in three years you will need to gain 120 credits a year. However, if you are working and studying part-time, we suggest you begin with one course. A 20 credit course will take about 180-200 hours of study over 17 weeks, and a 60 credit course will take about 500-600 hours over 40 weeks.

Fees

Download a copy of the 2010 fees schedule, ( .pdf 123kb) document will open in a new window.

What do I do now?

Request a copy of the brochure.
Download an enrolment form.
For further information free phone 0508 650 200 or email