LIANZA

LIBRARY STUDIES

NEW OPEN POLYTECHNIC QUALIFICATION EXPANDS HORIZONS FOR INDUSTRY LEADERS

Open Polytechnic | Te Pūkenga, New Zealand’s leader in online, distance learning is excited to offer a new qualification to those already working as leaders in information-related roles - the Graduate Diploma in Library and Information Leadership.

This qualification has been specifically developed to cater to people who already have a degree and/or relevant work experience and aims to provide learners with a range of relevant information skills and practices, as well as critical leadership development opportunities within the library, archives and records, and information management sector.

Senior Academic Staff Member Sarah Welland, says, “The graduate diploma aims to develop learners’ professional knowledge and skills in library and information studies with a focus on management and leadership competencies and critical engagement with current issues. It was developed by Open Polytechnic in response to requests by librarians, records managers, and other information professionals who represent key stakeholders such as the Archives and Records Association of New

Zealand (ARANZ), the Library and Information Association of New Zealand Aotearoa (LIANZA), and the National Library of New Zealand. Our consultation with stakeholders indicated that an additional qualification was needed, particularly for leaders in the information sector who already hold degrees in areas other than library and information studies, and/or have extensive practitioner experience.”

Available via online delivery, the graduate diploma will have relevance to learners who require a flexible and parttime mode of study due to

employment, family obligations, and current geographic location. The courses are hosted on the Open Polytechnic’s digital learning platform, iqualify, and learners can fit their studies around the other commitments in their lives.

The programme is designed around three compulsory courses at Level 7 relating to critical information perspectives, strategy and planning, and leadership and advocacy. These courses are bolstered by a further three elective courses that allow the learner to select subjects that specifically relate to their own professional development needs. One of these electives is either the choice of a course relating to professional practice or a project. The courses allow the learner to relate their study to their own sector or workplace situation.

Sarah explains how the new qualification has been curated for those who are already considered leaders in terms of their roles or responsibilities. “The programme has been carefully put together using an existing range of courses considered by both Open Polytechnic and stakeholders to be relevant to the needs of today’s information leaders. The graduate diploma is at a higher level to suit the needs of many currently working in a variety of information roles across New Zealand. It allows individuals to gain a qualification that specifically relates to their sector without studying for a second degree, something particularly useful for those who may already hold a Bachelor’s qualification that may not relate to the skills and competencies they carry out in their current role(s).”

If you would like to find out more about the new qualification including start dates, you can find further details on our website here.

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2022-10-06T07:00:00.0000000Z

2022-10-06T07:00:00.0000000Z

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