Skip navigation
  • Print
  • Text only
  • Share
Library and Information Technician

Library and Information Technician

(Accelerated)

Program Code: LITA Campus: Newnham
Duration: 3 Semesters (12 Months) Start Dates: Summer
Start dates are subject to change
Credential Awarded: Ontario College Diploma

Program Description

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.

Admission Requirements

Program Eligibility:

  • Substantial completion of a degree or diploma from a recognized college or university.
  • Academic equivalents for three general education credits and for EAC150.
  • English proficiency at the college level.

Applicant Selection:

  • Students must possess good English skills, both written and oral. Applicant selection may include the assessment of English skills proficiency.

Desirable:

  • Keyboarding at 35 w.p.m.
  • Basic computer skills.

Your Career

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.

Accelerated

This is an accelerated program for those who have completed a three year degree or diploma.

(The standard program is LIT.)

Accelerated Delivery Mode

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.

Articulation

Graduates of this program will receive two years credit toward a Bachelor of Professional Arts Communication degree from Athabasca University.

Affiliations and Associations

  • Canadian Library Association
  • Ontario Association of Library Technicians/Association des Bibliotechniciens de l’Ontario
  • Ontario Library Association
  • Special Libraries Association

Diploma to Degree... and Beyond

Through transfer agreements and institution partnerships, graduates of this Seneca College program may be eligible for credit at the following universities:

Canada

University/CollegeDegrees Available
Royal Roads University• Master of Arts – Learning and Technology or Interdisciplinary Studies

Field Placement

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.

Curriculum

A student receives a new timetable each semester. All subjects are automatically entered on a student's timetable. There are no choices of subjects, and/or days and times.

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

Contact Us

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

Testimonial

“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