Managing Library Services

Robert Gordon University

United Kingdom, Aberdeen

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Robert Gordon University

United Kingdom , Aberdeen

Key Facts

Program Level

Certificate

Study Type

Part Time

Delivery

Online

Credit point

30 Points

Campuses

Main Site

Program Language

English

Start & Deadlines

Next Intake DeadlinesSeptember-2022

Apply to this program

Go to the official application for the university

Duration 15 week(s)

Tuition Fee

GBP 880 / year

Next Intake September-2022

Managing Library Services

About

This short course explores the nature, provision and management of library and information services in a variety of contexts, emphasising the importance of effective performance evaluation and decision-making and provides an understanding of collection and service management. Strong emphasis is placed on the needs and characteristics of user communities.

The course introduces some of the key principles and philosophies associated with the management of library and information services. It provides an insight into the way in which libraries must meet the needs of the communities that they serve (in all settings) and considers how their services and collections are shaped by this understanding. It considers a range of professional management skills from generic ones such as financial or budgetary management and human resource planning through to specifics associated with the library and information sector such as collection management, information literacy, digital libraries and community engagement.

Strong emphasis is placed on the latter aspect throughout the module together with a clear sense of the significance of measuring the value and impact of what libraries do. These aspects are all explored through the use of a case-study approach where students attempt to plan and deliver services for a community and with reference to the real policies, frameworks and political agenda which shape public service cultural provision.

Topics

The module is broken down into a series of topic blocksincluding:

Communities and services
The practical management of library and information services
Performance quality and impact (including How good is our public library service? which was developed for the Scottish Government by the module tutor)
Services, collections and space
Strategic and operation human resource management
Financial management and budget
LIbraries, heritage and culture

On completion of this module, students are expected to be able to:

Evaluate critically the range, nature and provision of library and information services in a variety of contexts.
Evaluate information services and assess collection development in relation to policy, planning and processes.
Analyse and discuss how human resource management and financial management contribute to effective planning and decision-making in the management of change within library and information services.
Examine and analyse user communities and their information needs and characteristics and reflect this knowledge and understanding in a practical information enquiry context.
Analyse political, economic, social and cultural challenges for library and information services provision in contemporary idioms.
Examine how performance measure, impact and quality enhancement contribute to the effective development of library and information services

Online Learning

You will learn via our online virtual learning environment, CampusMoodle which provides you with lectures and course materials and allows you to study from any location. You will participate in active, group-related learning within a supportive online community setting. You will have access to recorded lectures and opportunities to meet up online via discussion fora and live sessions.

Activity Summary

30+ students per group
Recorded Lectures - 1 hours per week
Webinar - around 5 hours per term
Online learning activities 3 hours per week
Independent Study 2-3 hours per week

Assessment

The module is assessed using a sophisticated case-study which has been created to enable student to explore managing a library services within a community. There are two assignments; the first is a community profile for part of the community in question and the second is the creation of service development plan for the future enhancement of library provision. For the second assignment, students collaborate in groups for part of it (although the bulk of the grade is awarded for individual work).

Independent Study

The course requires you to become independent 'open learners' and take responsibility for when, where and how your learning occurs. You will spend approximately 8-10 hours per week in the Online Learning mode of study working on your own, undertaking prescribed reading, preparing and participating in group activities, taking part in online group discussions and other activities, researching and writing course reports.

Staff Delivering on This Course

This course is taught by a member of academic staff within Information Management with significant teaching experience, active engagement in research and scholarly activities in this area. The module tutor is created the quality standards for public libraries in Scotland on behalf of the Scottish Government and has wide experience of performance management and quality enhancement within the sector.

Requirements

Entry Requirements

Applications will be considered on a case by case basis, please contact Admissions for information: [email protected]
Applicants who do not hold an International High School qualification will be expected to undertake a pathway programme at our International College

English Program Requirements

Most undergraduate courses require an IELTS score of 6.0, with a minimum of 5.5 in each area. Some courses require a higher English language score. Always check the relevant course page and our English Language Requirements page before applying.

Career

The course will provide students with the ability understand the management and development of library and information services across a range of different sectors and contexts. It lays strong emphasis on the importance of partnership working and has, therefore, resonance in the wider cultural and education landscapes.

At the heart of the module is the acknowledgement that libraries are rooted within their community (where a place in the case of the public library, the school community, the college, or the university) and understanding that community and its needs is the fundamental building block on which all services are subsequently predicated.

The module is very transferable, affording those who complete it a rounded view of management practice and skills from hard one such as managing resources through to softer ones such as team-working or interpersonal communication skills.

Fee Information

Tuition Fee

GBP 880 / year

How to Apply

Completing an existing course (for example passing your Bachelors before coming to do a Masters with us). Please upload your degree documents to your Apply Yourself record or email the Admissions Office with these.
Proving that your English language is good enough for University-level study. In this case you should send us a copy of your IELTS or TOEFL certificate as soon as it is available. Please upload these documents to your Apply Yourself record or email the Admissions Office with these.
Making a pre-payment (deposit) for international students. In this case you must arrange to pay the University before we can release an Unconditional Offer. To find out how to do this, please visit the Making Payment page.