| Program Code: LITA | Campus: Newnham |
| Duration: 3 Semesters (12 Months) | Start Dates: Spring Start dates are subject to change |
| Credential Awarded: Ontario College Diploma | |
The focus of the program is practical and experience-based, whether in class, working independently on assignments, or in field placements. Your educational experience includes a high proportion of time using computers and software specific to the library and information industry. The curriculum changes continuously to reflect the latest developments in the working world. The skill set at the completion of this program prepares graduates to take their place in the workforce and be productive immediately.
Program Eligibility:
Applicant Selection:
Desirable:
Bringing together people, information and materials, library technicians meet the challenges of a constantly changing information environment. They use the latest information technologies to organize and retrieve information. Library technicians work in environments as diverse as business corporations, professional firms, cultural organizations, financial institutions, schools, and public libraries. A wealth of opportunity exists in the expanding information sector, including Internet applications, training, and customer support. Library technicians, along with librarians, are the mainstay of libraries and have found positions in the information industry.
An accelerated program for those who have completed a three year degree or diploma.
(The standard program is LIT.)
This accelerated version of the regular, four semester library and information technician diploma program is intended for those who have previous post-secondary education and who have the ability to learn material presented in a rapid, condensed format. In the accelerated version, first and second semester subjects are delivered in one semester. This is accomplished by delivering the content of the normally 14 week LIT subjects in 7 weeks. First semester subjects are offered during May and June, while second semester subjects are offered during July and August. Third semester subjects in the fall semester and fourth semester subjects in the winter semester are the normal 14 weeks.
Graduates of this program will receive two years credit toward a Bachelor of Professional Arts Communication degree from Athabasca University.
Through transfer agreements and institution partnerships, graduates of this Seneca College program may be eligible for credit at other post-secondary institutions.
| University/College | Degrees Available |
|---|---|
| Athabasca University | • Bachelor of Professional Arts in Communication Studies |
| Royal Roads University | • Master of Arts – Learning and Technology or Interdisciplinary Studies |
There are three field placements in the Library and Information Technician diploma program, each two weeks long. One placement is in a special library, one in a public library and one in a school or academic library.
Required Typing Speeds: 30 w.p.m. (net) for first field placement; 35 w.p.m. (net) for graduation.
A police check is required for many libraries.
| Semester 1 & 2 | Subject Name | Hrs/Wk |
|---|---|---|
| ICA001 | Introduction to Computers and Applications | 2 |
| LIT150 | Introducing Libraries | 3 |
| LIT152 | Library Catalogues and Bibliographies | 3 |
| LIT154 | Basic Library Skills | 3 |
| LIT164 | Computers in Libraries | 3 |
| LIT222 | Derivative Cataloguing | 3 |
| LIT254 | Acquisitions | 3 |
| LIT255 | Circulation and Interlibrary Loan | 3 |
| LIT256 | Ready Reference | 3 |
| LIT258 | Database Searching I | 3 |
| Semester 3 | Subject Name | Hrs/Wk |
| LIT250 | Placement and Work Skills | 2 |
| LIT322 | Descriptive Cataloguing | 3 |
| LIT354 | Subject Collections | 3 |
| LIT355 | Library Promotion and Programming | 3 |
| LIT358 | Database Searching II | 3 |
| LIT364 | Internet Applications for Library Technicians | 3 |
| FPL280 | Field Placement I | |
| Semester 4 | Subject Name | Hrs/Wk |
| LIT400 | Professional Issues in Libraries | 3 |
| LIT420 | Human Relations in Libraries | 3 |
| LIT456 | User Information Services | 3 |
| LIT458 | Library Automation | 3 |
| LIT462 | Subject Cataloguing and Classification | 3 |
| FPL380 | Field Placement II | |
| FPL480 | Field Placement III | |
| Program Coordinator: | Deborah Kay Telephone: (416) 491-5050 Ext. 2744 Email: deborah.kay@senecac.on.ca |
| Program Chair: | Wanda Forsythe Telephone: (416) 491-5050 Ext. 2745 Email: wanda.forsythe@senecac.on.ca |
| Admissions Advisor: | Sean McDonnell Telephone: (416) 491-5050 Ext. 2805 Email: Sean.McDonnell@senecac.on.ca |
| Registration & Records Contact: | Tammy Leonard Telephone: (416) 491-5050 Ext. 2584 Email: Tammy.Leonard@senecac.on.ca |
“I would like to compliment the LIT faculty on the excellence of the LIT program. The instructors are all knowledgeable, experienced, organized and thorough, and all of the courses are highly relevant and extremely interesting. Thank you for making my time at Seneca so pleasant and so informative.”
Natalie E. Briggs,
Library and Information Technician Program,
(Accelerated)
Seneca College of Applied Arts and Technology