SCHOOL OF INFORMATION MANAGEMENT

Overview of the Information Studies (IST) Programmes

On This Page:

For Further Information:

School of Information Management
Chris King (IST Administrator)
Room: Rutherford House (RH) 521
Tel: 0-4-463 5875
Fax: 0-4-463 5103
Email: address

There has never been a better time to become an Information Manager, with constant demand for librarians, archivists, records managers, web content managers, systems vendors and trainers, and much more.

The modern information specialist must be able to use the latest Information and Communication Technologies to create databases, websites, electronic publications, digital libraries, and then disseminate information to customers via the most appropriate channels. The boundaries between librarians, archivists, records managers, and knowledge managers are disappearing, so qualifications in the Information Studies Programmes will give you a core set of skills and knowledge needed across all these professions, while also allowing you to focus on specific professional competencies for your initial career path.

Information Studies Qualifications (and why they are needed)

The information environment both here and overseas increasingly involves collaboration between libraries and archives, particularly in the digital domain. The Public Records Act 2005 is just one part of a changing framework requiring more appropriately qualified archives and records managers in New Zealand -- and the Information Studies Programmes can set you on that path.

Changes are also happening in the library profession, with a core set of competencies -- the Body of Knowledge -- now a prerequisite for professional registration with LIANZA, and the Master of Information Studies (MIS) curriculum meets all these requirements. The Archives and Records Association of New Zealand (ARANZ) has also endorsed the suite of courses that specialise in that area.

The Information Studies Programmes also offer a Postgraduate Diploma and Postgraduate Certificate, allowing students to study for a shorter timeframe towards a formal qualification in the areas of either library studies or archives and records management.

All three qualifications have a common core, and students can specialise in either library studies, or archives and records management, by adding specified courses that will earn the endorsement of either (LIBS) for library science or (ARCR) for archives and records management.

Back to top ^

Objectives of the Information Studies Programmes

The goals of the Information Studies Programmes are to provide students with:

  • Knowledge of the principles and techniques required of an information professional oriented to one or all types of library or information centre, system or service, including library, archival, and records management, and other related disciplines.
  • An awareness and understanding of the total context in which information
    professionals operate (especially in New Zealand).
  • The knowledge and attitudes necessary to work as information
    professionals in a bicultural partnership environment.
  • An understanding of the theories, principles and methodologies that form
    the foundation of information studies internationally.
  • Proficiency in the skills of management, leadership, advocacy, problem-solving,
    and decision-making relevant to information professionals working
    in a rapidly changing environment.
  • Professional attitudes regarding scholarship, ethics, intellectual freedom,
    and access to information in a democratic society.
  • An enriched learning environment that draws upon the people and
    resources of the nation's capital city to enhance the curriculum.
  • A sound foundation for continuing professional development in information
    work.

Programme Structure

The Information Studies Programmes offer flexible, professional postgraduate qualifications designed to equal the best offered in North America, Great Britain, and Australia. Both the Certificate and the Diploma share some core courses with the Master of Information Studies (MIS), with similar requirements for Library (LIBS) or Archives and Records (ARCR) endorsements; these are carefully designed to meet the needs of all groups of graduates, and concern principles of information management common to both fields.

The requirements for the Master of Information Studies (180 points) are completion of INFO 520, 521, 527, 528 and INFO 580; plus six courses from INFO 523, 525, 530-579.

  • For an endorsement of Master of Information Studies (LIBS) students must complete INFO 523 and INFO 525.
  • For an endorsement of Master of Information Studies (ARCR) students must complete INFO 534 and INFO 535.

The requirements for the Postgraduate Diploma in Information Studies (120 points) are completion of INFO 520, 521, 527; plus five additional INFO 500-level courses.

  • For an endorsement of PGDipIS (LIBS) students must complete INFO 523 and INFO 525.
  • For an endorsement of PGDipIS (ARCR) students must complete INFO 534 and INFO 535.

The requirements for the Postgraduate Certificate in Information Studies (60 points) are completion of INFO 520; plus three additional INFO 500-level courses.

  • For an endorsement of PGCertIS (LIBS) students must complete INFO 523 and INFO 525.
  • For an endorsement of PGCertIS (ARCR) students must complete INFO 534 and INFO 535.

Students intending to complete the MIS over 3-4 years should consult with the Programmes Director as to an appropriate individual course of study. Students may substitute an elective course from another programme with approval from the Director.

Employer/Student Benefits

Some students find it more convenient to study while staying in employment, and this is perfectly acceptable provided the hours of work do not detract from their studies. Students benefit when they see how the course content can be applied in the workplace, and employers benefit directly when the student converts learning into practice.

Employers are welcome to contact the Programmes Director with further queries about how they can support employees engaged in the Information Studies Programmes.

A convenient location
 Courses on the Information Studies Programmes are taught on campus in Wellington; at our teaching centre in downtown Auckland; and throughout New Zealand by Open Learning (distance education).

Multimedia learning
 All courses use multimedia and Web-based methods of teaching and learning. Excellent computer facilities are available for internal students. Each course uses a combination of CD-ROM and Web-based materials, and seminars conducted either face-to-face or via audioconference and the Internet.

Learning does not come to a full stop at graduation, and there is always a need for further professional development. Most courses in the Information Studies Programmes are available as a single course to information specialists with a degree who wish to update their professional knowledge, or extend it into fresh areas of information management; click here for further information about Certificates of Proficiency.

Bicultural Objectives

The School is aware of its key role in the professional education of information specialists in New Zealand. We aim, in the structures and content of the individual course, to include an awareness of the relevance of the Treaty of Waitangi, and the ways in which it can be implemented in the information professions.

Bicultural aspects are integrated in two ways: through specific classes relating to biculturalism in New Zealand, and by addressing bicultural issues in taught courses as appropriate.

By the end of the programme, students are expected to:

  • Have a basic understanding of Māori culture, the significance of the oral tradition, the role of whakapapa, and te reo.
  • Have some understanding of marae etiquette, and be able to conduct themselves appropriately in the event of their being required to visit a marae in the course of their professional duties.
  • Be able to pronounce Māori personal names and place names in a way acceptable to speakers of Māori.
  • Have some knowledge of the taonga in libraries, archives, and museums.
  • Know the requirements of Māori in seeking access to these taonga.
  • Understand the special needs of Māori as one of a number of groups for whom, as library and information clients, libraries and archives can seem threatening and unfriendly places.

Back to top ^

Career Opportunities

The MIS is a taught master's programme designed to meet the needs of knowledge workers in a range of employment capacities. Our graduates go on to work areas such as corporate information management, policy analysis, public relations, database management, web and intranet content management, electronic publishing, public librarianship, academic librarianship, school libraries, systems sales, systems training. Some of our graduates set up independently and work for themselves as information brokers, designers, and trainers.

Recent figures on the Career Services website show that the demand for Records Managers has risen in the last decade, with the number of people working in records progressing from 1200 in 2006 to an estimated 1800 in 2009. Legal requirements mean ongoing demand for records advisers is likely to remain good.

The number of archivists employed in New Zealand rose by 18% between December 2005 and December 2008 and, although numbers remain static, opportunities in this area are expected to increase as the economy improves.

Information Studies -- a World Wide View

Back to top ^