In today's world, the ability to store and retrieve information quickly and easily is essential.
Our information, library and record-keeping programmes range from introductory through to higher-level qualifications. They focus on the New Zealand library, information management and records management environment.
Course only study
If you have specific study or professional goals, our course only study option may be for you. With course only study, you can enrol in one course or a few, to gain the skills you need.
Go to the Course only information linked to below to find out more about this study option. Check the choose courses tab to see what library and information courses you can study.
I love having good conversations with people and getting to know the community. Working in a public library is about connecting people with information and what they need.
Hana Whaanga, Library Studies graduate
Download our Library and Information Studies prospectus
At Open Polytechnic we specialise in flexible, distance and online learning that is designed to help you fit study around your work and life commitments.
For more information about what library programmes we offer download our Library and Information Studies prospectus (PDF 2MB)
Learn more
LIANZA and SLANZA Tertiary Grants
In partnership with LIANZA and SLANZA, Perpetual Guardian is inviting applications for new scholarship grants of up to $10,000 for tertiary qualifications in indigenous knowledge management, library and information studies.
Availability
Our qualifications are delivered on either a Trimesterised or Open basis.
- Trimesterised qualifications have courses available to enrol in and study over set periods, three times a year - Trimester 1, 2 or 3.
- Open qualifications have courses available to enrol in and study every month throughout the year. Courses start on the first Monday of the month you select for enrolment.
Cost
- Course costs can be found on all course pages. The fees may increase annually.
- Qualification cost – to give you an idea of how much a qualification may cost in total over the duration of your studies, an approximate cost is provided for many of our qualifications. This is based on the required number of courses to complete the qualification and the average cost of those courses. It does not include annual administration fees, text books and course materials or external exam fees, and is subject to annual course fee increases.
Credits
Courses are assigned credits depending on how much time and effort is needed to complete their learning outcomes. In general, each credit represents approximately 10 hours of study time.
Delivery method
- Online – The course materials for online courses are delivered in an online format and all assignments are submitted online.
- Mixed – These courses are delivered using a mix of online and paper based course materials. This may include receiving paper course materials, submitting assignments online, or being required to participate in online forums and learning activities.
- Print Only - The course will be delivered using paper based courses materials, and assignments may need to be submitted in hard copy rather than online. This will depend on the course.
Whether courses are delivered online, on paper or a mixture of both, there may also be components such as workshops, noho marae, work experience and practicum to participate in. To find out what your course involves check the course information page.
EFTS
EFTS stands for equivalent full-time student. An EFTS is the study time required for each course and is used by the Tertiary Education Commission to decide if a course is part-time or full-time.
One year of full-time study is generally between 0.8 and 1.2 EFTS.
Level
You can tell how hard a course or qualification is by the level it is set at:
- Levels 1-4 are about the same as secondary school and basic trades training.
- Levels 5-7 are the same as university study.
Prerequisites
- Prerequisites are courses that must be completed before another course can be studied.
- Co-requisites are courses that can be studied at the same time as another course.
If a course has a specific prerequisite or co-requisite course, it will be listed on the course page under the title 'Prerequisites'. If no courses are listed, check the entry and other requirements under the qualification you are studying for. Some courses require you to have studied at a particular level prior to enrolling.
Student loans
Not all qualifications or students are eligible for student loans. You will need to meet criteria such as studying a minimum number of credits over a specific study period. It is up to you to apply for a student loan via StudyLink - Open Polytechnic does not do this for you.
Information about student loans and eligibility
Study type
Our qualifications are delivered on either a Trimesterised or Open basis.
- Trimesterised qualifications have courses available to enrol in and study over set periods, three times a year - Trimester 1, 2 or 3. Some courses may not be available every Trimester, and some may run longer than the standard 16-18 week period.
- Open qualifications have courses available to enrol in and study every month throughout the year. Courses start on the first Monday of the month you select for enrolment.
Teaching weeks
Teaching weeks is the number of weeks that we teach a course. This differs from the enrolment period, which is based on the course start and end dates.
For example, a 20-week enrolment period will have 16 teaching weeks, followed by four weeks to accommodate marking, any extensions and reassessments, or exams.
Workload
The workload estimate given on a course page is calculated like this:
Number of credits x 10, divided by the number of teaching weeks for the course. The hours will be rounded up to nearest whole number.
Please note, this is a guide only. You may need more or less time for study, and you may also need to do more hours during assessment due dates or exams times.
Professional associations and qualification recognition
Our Bachelor of Library and Information Studies is recognised by the Library and Information Association of New Zealand Aotearoa (LIANZA) for professional registration. Learn more about LIANZA registration.
Our New Zealand Diploma in Records and Information Management is recognized by Records and Information Management Professionals Australasia for the purposes of professional membership. Learn more about RIMPA membership.
The Open Polytechnic is also a member of IFLA.