Library and Information Technician

Program Overview

Are you the go-to person when someone needs information? Library and information technicians (LITs) are experts at organizing knowledge and data. They use their superior interpersonal skills to serve customers and help them find the answers to their information questions. If you are resourceful, detail-oriented, and tech-savvy, and if you have a passion for research and an interest in promoting libraries, a career as a library and information technician is right for you.

Please note: this program is also offered through part-time or hybrid delivery, which involves a combination of in-class and distance education. Students are encouraged to choose the program of study and delivery mode that best suits their needs and learning preferences. For assistance choosing which program will best suit you, please contact susan.pratt@durhamcollege.ca.

Field Placement

Hands On

Practical Learning

Admission Requirements

Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or Mature Student Status
Grade 12 English (C or U)

Note: this program has additional recommended requirements. Please visit the Admission Requirements tab for further information.

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Intakes and Availability

Date	Domestic Availability	International Availability
September 2020	Suspended	Suspended

Tuition

Year one domestic: $2,722 (CDN)
Year one international: $13,322 (CDN)

View Full Costs

Semester 1 Courses

View All Courses

Career Options

WHAT YOU COULD BE:

Information assistant
Knowledge management assistant
Library technician
Online and/or library system vendor
Research assistant

View all Career Options

Program Details

NOTE: Students enrolling in this program are required to purchase their own laptop. For specific hardware and software requirements for this program click here.

This program will provide you with the knowledge and skills required to work in a variety of types of libraries, resource centres, cultural and heritage organizations and related industries.

You will learn all aspects of information management from selecting, acquiring and organizing information to providing access to carefully-curated resources. Through simulations and hands-on activities, you will develop superior customer service, advocacy and marketing skills. You will also practise engaging clients through programming and instruction.

Students focus on:

Analyzing information requests, selecting appropriate sources, developing and conducting information searches, evaluating information and presenting results
Selecting and acquiring materials
Deriving, editing and/or creating catalogue records
Maintaining serials control and circulation systems
Creating marketing and promotional materials and organizing events
Creating and delivering information literacy, instructional and programming activities with a focus on literacy and STEM-related tools
Conducting research, compiling bibliographies and writing reports
Developing and implementing systems to manage archival collections and corporate records.

As a graduate, you will be well-prepared to use your technology skills to acquire, prepare and organize materials and assist users in locating appropriate resources.

To learn more about the program and the career pathways of Durham College LIT graduates, please view this video.

Learn about the faculty who teach in this program by visiting their LinkedIn pages:

Anne Donnellan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anne-donnellan/
Nicole Doyle: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicoledoyle
Sue Pratt: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sue-pratt/

Admission Requirements

Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or Mature Student Status
Grade 12 English (C or U)

Courses

Semester 1

Semester 2

Semester 3

Semester 4

Courses and course descriptions are subject to change.

Costs

YEAR ONE FEES	Domestic	International
Tuition	$2,722	$13,322
Compulsory Ancillary	$1,300	$1,775
Program Incidental	$0	$0
Total Fees:	$4,022	$15,097

Please note: fees are based on the 2019-2020 academic year and do not include textbooks. For more information please see Other fees to consider.

Career Options

WHAT YOU COULD BE:

Information assistant
Knowledge management assistant
Library technician
Online and/or library system vendor
Research assistant

WHERE YOU COULD WORK:

Cultural and/or not-for-profit organization such as a museum or archives
Electronic publishing company
Information services, knowledge-management or records management business/department
Library-related service provider
Library or information services within a law office, hospital or corporation
Market research agency
Records management or indexing firm
Special, public, academic or school library

Field Placement

Your learning experience will be complemented by a 21-hour job shadow field experience in your first year, fall semester, which will provide the opportunity to integrate theory with practice under the supervision of an industry professional. A 140-hour field experience in the final semester of the program allows you to apply the knowledge and skills you have learned in the program, acquire industry-related experience and important networking contacts. Faculty provide support and guidance to help you secure two or more placements at a library or related profession organization, where you are supervised by a librarian, LIT or other approved professional.

Please note: applicants wishing to complete the program part-time or through a combination of face-to-face and distance education courses may do so by completing the technical services courses, and/or archives course, and/or records management course, through the Ontario Learns LIT program offered through Durham College-Continuing Education, by enrolling in online GNED, communications and computer courses through Durham College, or by transferring these credits from the Mohawk College LIT program.

Looking for programs with related program learning outcomes or career paths? See also Computer Foundations, which includes courses in technology, or Office Administration – selected streams, which include courses in event planning and information management.

Program Transfer, Degree Completion and Additional Credentials

Durham College also offers degree completion opportunities with a number of Canadian and international institutions. Sample diploma-to-degree opportunities include:

Laptop Requirements

Minimum Recommended hardware

Laptop: Personal computer (PC) not a Mac
Operating System: Windows 7, 8, 8.1 or 10 (if available)
Processor: Intel Core i5 or better (Not AMD)
Memory: 8 GB of RAM (16 GB preferred)
Hard Drive: 250 GB or larger (Solid State Drive (SSD) preferred)
Warranty: 3 years parts and labour (On-site preferred)
Other features: 2 USB ports, webcam, microphone, HDMI output (preferred) or VGA, Ethernet port (recommended)

Software Requirements

Microsoft Office is available free of charge at the school with a Durham College email address.

COVID-19 Information

Library and Information Technician

Program Overview

Admission Requirements

Intakes and Availability

Tuition

Semester 1 Courses

Career Options

WHAT YOU COULD BE:

Program Details

Admission Requirements

Recommended

Courses

Semester 1

Semester 2

Semester 3

Semester 4

Costs

Career Options

WHAT YOU COULD BE:

WHERE YOU COULD WORK:

Field Placement

Program Transfer, Degree Completion and Additional Credentials

Laptop Requirements

Minimum Recommended hardware

Software Requirements

Library and Information Technician in the news

Helpful Resources

College guide September 2020 [PDF]

College guide September 2020 [Interactive]

Graduate Employment Report [PDF]