Applications of ICT in Libraries/Advanced Diploma ICTL

The Advanced Certificate and the Advanced Diploma in Applications of ICT in Libraries were developed by the Scottish Library and Information Council (SLIC) and are validated by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA)

CHANGES TO THE QUALIFICATION--- The Advanced Diploma has been superseded by the Professional Development Award in Applications of ICT in Libraries at level 8 (English and Welsh level 5). It consist of much the same content as the Advanced Diploma but the PDA includes a new unit:

Digital Culture: Online Collaboration: This unit considers the sociology and operation of virtual communities. You will discuss the uses of Web 2.0 and online collaboration tools within your workplace.

To achieve the level 8 award you must complete the level 7 award plus two mandatory units:

- Digital Culture: Online Collaboration and - Reflective Practice unit

and one of either

- Carrying out the Net Navigator Role or - Carrying out the Educator Role

What are these qualifications?
These qualifications are based on the training already carried out as during the People’s Network programme. They have been developed by the Scottish Library and Information Council (SLIC) and are accredited by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA). The level of the qualifications is roughly equivalent to a UK Higher National Certificate or Diploma (HNC/HND), a US Associate Degree or years 1 and 2 of a UK or US undergraduate degree. Credit for approximately one year of study may be transferable to other academic programmes.

The Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA), SLIC, CyMAL (the Welsh body) and DCAL (the Northern Ireland department) supported the development of the qualifications for use throughout the UK. SQA is currently exploring accreditation with the QCA (Qualifications & Curriculum Authority) and articulation into higher education. The qualifications have been reviewed by content advisers from across the UK in order to balance any variation in the context of library service delivery and the learning materials contain UK-wide examples of best practice.

Who are they for?
These qualifications will permit library staff who have already. undergone the People’s Network training to obtain accreditation, but they are also suitable for new entrants to the profession. The main target group is staff working in the UK public library service, but the qualifications are also likely to be of interest to staff in other library services, particularly school libraries. They may also be of interest to English-speaking library staff in other countries.

Candidates would normally be expected to have reached a reasonable level of general education, for example A-Level or SCE Higher and possess reasonable ICT skills, such as PC Passport or ECDL.

What is the content?
The Diploma in Applications of ICT in Libraries consists of five single-credit units (each roughly equivalent to 40 hours of study), as follows:


 * Unit 1: Locating information on behalf of clients Applications of ICT in Libraries/Locating Information
 * Unit 2: Supporting reader development Applications of ICT in Libraries/Supporting Reader Development
 * Unit 3: Supporting client learning Applications of ICT in Libraries/Supporting Client Learning
 * Unit 4: Using ICT in professional practice Applications of ICT in Libraries/Using ICT in Professional Practice
 * Unit 5: Supporting clients in the safe and legal use of ICT Applications of ICT in Libraries/Safe and Legal Use of ICT

The Advanced Diploma in Applications of ICT in Libraries includes all of the above units, plus the following double-credit units, each roughly equivalent to 80 hours of study:

(candidates must choose one of these)
 * Unit 6: Net Navigator Applications of ICT in Libraries/Net Navigator
 * Unit 7: Educator Applications of ICT in Libraries/Educator


 * Unit 8: Graded Unit – Project Applications of ICT in Libraries/Graded Unit Project

Summaries of the unit content can be found later in this document.

What support material is available?
A wide range of support material is available, including top-up learning material, assessment tools and electronic log-books to record assignments for authentication in the workplace. The top-up learning material is available in Wikibook format and also in an interactive web-based format at http://www.ictl.org.uk.

The top-up material includes activities, prompts and refresher learning. More than 600 pages of material have already been written and this is being expanded all the time. The top-up learning can be integrated with People's Network, cascade or new training and work-based practice.

How are they assessed?
Almost all of the assessment is of a practical nature and involves the completion of logbooks relating to workplace activities, essays and reports. Most assessments can be submitted online.

How do they relate to professional qualifications?
The qualifications support the CILIP Framework of Qualifications and can be used as evidence towards Certification, Chartership and Revalidation submissions. The Diplomas are based on reflective practice, and electronic logbooks make it easy to build portfolios.

What are the benefits?
There are a number of benefits for individual and employers in supporting this development. Staff will have the chance to have their People’s Network learning accredited, improve their qualifications, gain academic credits for transfer into other courses or improve their promotion prospects. From the employer's perspective, the qualifications will contribute towards workforce development and meeting corporate quality agendas such as Investors in People and Charter Mark.

Applications of ICT in Libraries: Unit Summaries
You can obtain the complete unit specification by following the link after the title.

Unit 1: Locating information on behalf of clients
The purpose of this unit is to guide candidates to work logically through the steps of a reference enquiry, typical for a public library, using internet resources.


 * 1) Define the precise nature of the enquiry in conjunction with the client.
 * 2) Create a search strategy to fully satisfy the client's enquiry.
 * 3) Evaluate the results of the search in terms of validity of information found and its appropriateness in meeting the client's needs.

Unit 2: Supporting reader development
The purpose of this unit is to develop skills in public library staff required to use online resources in order to support clients in the development of their reading.


 * 1) Demonstrate an understanding of reader development.
 * 2) Identify, evaluate and use a range of online resources that promote reading to adult clients.
 * 3) Identify, evaluate and use a range of online resources that promote reading to younger clients.
 * 4) Identify, evaluate and use a range of online resources that promote reading to clients with special needs or with specific language requirements.

Unit 3: Supporting clients learning
The purpose of this unit is to develop skills in public library staff required to support clients in their selection and use of ICT-based learning packages within the library.


 * 1) Profile client in terms of ICT competence and learning goals.
 * 2) Select a range ICT-based package(s) to support this learning.
 * 3) Provide appropriate ICT support to the client in the use of their chosen learning package(s).

Unit 4: Using ICT in professional practice
The purpose of this unit is to develop skills in public library staff required to use ICT in support of professional practice.


 * 1) Use an automated library management system proficiently.
 * 2) Use and evaluate online selection tools.
 * 3) Use ICT in continuing professional development, to join in professional discussions and to improve own professional practice.

Unit 5 Supporting clients in the safe and legal use of ICT
The purpose of this unit is to develop skills in public library staff required to support clients so that they can use ICT safely for a range of purposes and within the current legislative framework.


 * 1) Demonstrate safe practice relating to the use of ICT for communication.
 * 2) Demonstrate ways in which ICT can support clients with special needs or with specific language requirements.
 * 3) Demonstrate awareness of legislation relating to the use of ICT for storage, manipulation and access of information.
 * 4) Demonstrate awareness of Freedom of Information legislation and information access issues.

Unit 6: Carrying Out the Net Navigator Role
The purpose of this unit is to guide candidates to work logically through the steps of a complex reference enquiry, typical for a public library, using a complex search strategy, a wide range of internet resources and current awareness and alerting services.


 * 1) Define the detail of a complex enquiry in conjunction with the client.
 * 2) Demonstrate knowledge of search logic, search engines and features of the internet.
 * 3) Create and implement a complex search strategy.
 * 4) Evaluate websites located in a complex search.
 * 5) Review effectiveness of search strategy.
 * 6) Use ICT to set up current awareness and alerting services.

Unit 7: Carrying Out the Educator Role
The purpose of this unit is to develop skills in design and delivery of training on ICT-related topics.


 * 1) Establish ICT training needs for individuals and groups.
 * 2) Select delivery approach which takes account of learner's preferred learning style and is appropriate for learning content.
 * 3) Design learning materials and programmes on ICT-related topics.
 * 4) Utilise appropriate skills to support individuals and groups in their use of learning materials and programmes on ICT related topics
 * 5) Evaluate and revise learning materials and programmes on ICT-related topics.

Unit 8: Integrative Unit (Project)
This Integrative Unit is designed to provide evidence that the candidate has integrated the knowledge and skills acquired throughout the programme into his/her ongoing professional practice.


 * 1) Review the programme to identify key areas of learning.
 * 2) Demonstrate the incorporation of key areas into ongoing professional practice.
 * 3) Formulate an approach to continuing professional development in key areas.

Digital Culture - Online Collaboration
This unit examines the creation, sociology and operation of virtual communities and explore how individuals can collaborate for a common purpose using social media and online publishing tools.


 * 1) Initiate and facilitate professional discussions using forums
 * 2) Utilising social media for professional and personal networking
 * 3) Co-orinate a group collaborative social media marketing project
 * 4) Plan, edit and produce a group collaborative blog
 * 5) Reflecting on the most appropriate social media strategy for your information service

Certification
Anyone wishing to be certified for the Diploma or Advanced Diploma must enrol as a student at one of the centres approved by SQA to offer the programmes. Centres may offer the programmes by different means, e.g.: full-time or part time, presencial, distance learning etc.

Approved Centres
At present there is only a single approved centre, but this is expected to change and further centres will be added as approval is granted.

Millennium City Academy
Millennium City Academy is an associate college of London Graduate School of Management, a private college located in the heart of London, UK. It offers the ICTL programmes by distance learning. Full details can be obtained from the college's web site http://www.lgsm.ac, or by emailing ictl@lgsm.ac.