Academic Advising Centre
This guide has been prepared with the information you need to successfully register for your first year at UFV. Please review the information provided on this page thoroughly before contacting your academic advisor with questions.
The Library and Information Technology diploma program prepares graduates to work in a wide range of libraries and other information centres. The program is recognized by the Canadian Library Association (CLA) and was developed according to its Guidelines for the Education of Library Technicians. In the workplace, diploma graduates are usually classified as library technicians. They often work under the direct supervision of a professional librarian, archivist, or more senior library technician. Library technicians sometimes supervise the work of clerical staff and other library technicians.
The program includes technical courses and computer labs that help students to develop the complex skills necessary to work in today's libraries and information centres. Students graduate with a diploma in Library and Information Technology and may choose to complete an additional, six-credit concentration in Systems Technology, Youth Services, or Records Management.
The most effective library technicians are interested in both books and non-print materials, especially electronic resources accessed via licensed databases and the Internet. They are committed to serving the needs of customers, clients, and patrons who seek accurate and timely information for any purpose. It is essential that technicians possess excellent interpersonal, communications, computer, and information management skills. In addition, they must have an ongoing interest in developing customer service and technology-related skills to keep up with changes in the industry and to help further their careers.
Managing information, knowledge, and the cultural record is increasingly important as publicly funded libraries continue to be heavily used and the volume and diversity of electronic information expands in the knowledge-driven economy. Graduates find employment in public, academic, school, and special libraries as well as in non-profits, government departments, businesses, archives, museums, and other settings where both technical and people skills are required to organize, preserve, and provide access to print and digital media.
The Library and Information Technology diploma requires the completion of a minimum of 60 credits (approximately 20 courses) and is broken down into four learning areas:
Courses in the Library and Information Technology diploma program are offered both online and on campus on a rotating basis; a few courses are offered only online.
Students can complete the program in two to five years. To complete in two years, students need to take full-time studies in both online and on campus formats. Students taking part-time studies and/or taking courses only online will need between three to five years to complete the program. Students must complete the program in a five-year period.
Students may choose to declare and complete a six-credit concentration in Systems Technology, Youth Services, or Records Management. Choosing a concentration will be based on several factors, including:
To declare a concentration, students admitted to the program complete the program declaration form and send it from their student email account to advising@ufv.ca, or book an appointment with an academic advisor, before they apply to graduate from the program.
To demonstrate mastery of course material, program students must achieve a grade of C or better in all LIBT courses. Students who receive a grade below C must retake the course. A course may not be taken more than twice.
LIBIT students who chose to pursue a practicum must complete a Criminal Records Check (CRC). Once students are enrolled in their first courses, they will be sent instruction on how to complete the specific CRC requirement.
Prior to graduation, students must achieve a keyboarding speed of 45 adjusted (net) words per minute or better. Instructions on completing the typing requirement will be sent to admitted students.
You can access additional information about your program in two ways:
First time using MyGRADplan?
Visit MyGRADplan website to get login instructions and review tutorials. Specifically, you will want to learn about the 'What if' and 'Look ahead' features as they will be most helpful in your course planning.
All students should be prepared for a heavy course of study, with assignments due on a weekly basis. Students are expected to attend all face-to-face classes and to participate in classroom and online learning activities.
For each hour spent in class, students can expect to spend an average of two hours in out-of-class work. Most courses require extensive use of the UFV library, computer labs, and/or personal computers for completing assignments, which are mostly to be practical in nature. Courses within the program also emphasize the development of excellent oral and written communication skills. All written assignments must be word processed. Computers in the LIBIT Resource Room and in computer labs across UFV campuses are available for student use.
If you are working, you want to make sure to keep a good balance between work and school:
In choosing courses, try to select a mix of what you would like to try out and what is required. The number of courses you chose will depend on your own schedule and plan for completion time; see workload for further consideration.
For students pursuing part-time studies, it is recommended to prioritize completing LIBT 100 and (ENGL 105 or CMNS 125) in their first semester and LIBT 115 and CIS 110 in their first year.
To see how the courses ladder from one to another check the Library and Information Technology flowchart.
The plan below is based on approximately 9 to 15 credits per semester.
with an academic advisor or email your questions to advising@ufv.ca.
If you are starting in the fall, book your next appointment prior to the winter registration (October).