Higher Diploma in Library and Information Sciences
Faculty of Arts and Culture
Eastern University, Sri Lanka
Introduction
The Faculty of Arts and Culture, Eastern University, Sri Lanka offers the Higher Diploma in Library and Information Sciences. The Gazette Extraordinary No. 1620/22 of 24th September 2009 defined the three-year diploma in library science from a recognized university for the recruitment of Class III librarians in the Sri Lanka Librarians' Service. As such, the Higher Diploma in Library and Information Sciences is a three-year, part-time programme.
Designed to meet the growing demand for qualified information professionals in public, school, and higher education libraries, this programme equips students with the specialized technical and intellectual competencies required for modern library management. It provides essential training for aspiring Librarians, serving as both a strong career qualification and a solid academic foundation for future Bachelor's and Master's degree studies.
Objectives of the programme
The goal of this programme is to produce higher diploma holders with current and updated knowledge in the library and information sciences who have expertise in accessing, analyzing, organizing, evaluating, preserving, researching, and presenting information found in all types of formats while ensuring information needs of users are highly satisfied and able to make use of a computerized environment to provide maximum service to users.
At the end of the programme, the students will be able to:
- Explain the concept of library and librarianship, the current trends in the library and librarianship and their application, the role of different kinds of libraries and socio-economic, ethical and legal aspects of the library.
- Explain the management principles of physical, human, and financial resources of library and information centers.
- Acquire, organize, and disseminate of information resources.
- Identify, locate, retrieve and evaluate information resources.
- Communicate effectively with users and explain the important aspects of customer care.
- Perform library related tasks in an electronic environment to provide the services to users.
- Plan and implement strategies related to the preservation of information resources and conservation of cultural heritage entities.
- Research for continuous development in the emerging LIS field.
Nature of the Programme
The programme is a part-time three-year Higher Diploma in Library and Information Sciences, which has 60 credits for three years.
The programme has the following two levels:
- Level I: The first level is a Diploma in Library and Information Sciences (Dip in LIS) with thirty credits for an eighteen-month duration.
- Level II: The second level is the Higher Diploma in Library and Information Sciences (HDip in LIS) with thirty credits for an eighteen-month duration.
Medium of instruction
The medium of instruction is Tamil.
SLQF Level
As the curriculum has been designed according to the credits and qualification descriptors of the Sri Lanka Qualifications Framework (SLQF), the Higher Diploma in Library and Information Sciences is positioned at SLQF Level 4.
Programme Delivery
The classes will be held on weekends/holidays. The teaching-learning methods for most of the courses on the programme may consist of the following methods:
- Conventional lecture with the use of audio-visuals
- Virtual lectures or webinars
- Small group discussion on given topics
- Oral presentation
- Group Activity
- Self-directed learning, independent learning, and oral presentation.
In addition to the above teaching-learning methods, some courses contain practical, exposure visits, library training/library attachment, and research as teaching-learning methods.
Eligibility Requirement
The following will be considered as eligibility criteria to register for the programme:
- Passes in three subjects in G.C.E. Advanced Level (New System) of any discipline, obtained in no more than two sittings.
OR - Passes in four subjects in G.C.E. Advanced Level (Old System) of any discipline, obtained in no more than two sittings.
OR - Completion of NVQF level 4 or accredited work experience or accredited prior learning followed by a corresponding cognitive bridging programme of a minimum of 30 credits as determined by the faculty board of Arts and Culture of the University.
OR - Passes in three subjects in any discipline in the G.C.E. Advanced Level (old system) or passes in two subjects in any discipline in the G.C.E. Advanced Level (new system) may be considered for admission, provided the following requirements are met.
- Passes in six subjects at G.C.E. O/L Examination (both Old System/New System), including Mathematics and Language (Tamil or English) with a credit pass, of which five subjects should be passed in one sitting.
AND - A minimum of five continuous years' working experience in the field of Library and Information Science.
- Passes in six subjects at G.C.E. O/L Examination (both Old System/New System), including Mathematics and Language (Tamil or English) with a credit pass, of which five subjects should be passed in one sitting.
Course Outline
Level I
- Fundamentals of Library and Information Science
- Classification of Information Sources
- Cataloguing of Information Sources
- Information Resources & Services
- Fundamentals of ICT (with hands-on practical training)
- English for Library Professionals
- Fundamentals of Information Literacy
- Electronic Librarianship
- Library Administration and Management
- Library Profession, legislation and ethics
- Library training/Seminar
Level II
- Organization Management
- Introduction to research methods and basic statistics for Librarians
- Conservation and Preservation of Information Resources and disaster management
- Advances in organization of knowledge and information
- Compilation of Bibliography or index
- Library Automation (with hands-on practical training)
- Digital library (with hands-on practical training)
- Library-Based Project
Course Fee
- Application Fee: Rs. 1000
- Course Fee: Rs. 65,000 (can be paid in two instalments)
Link for Application
Contacts
Mr. S. Santharooban, Programme Coordinator
Email: santharoobans@esn.ac.lk
CEDEC: cedecinfo@esn.ac.lk
