Library and Information Services Management (Distance Learning)

Core modules:

Information Literacy (distance learning)

The module aims to enable students to understand the concepts of information literacy and information behaviour from both theoretical and practical perspectives. Students will develop their own information literacy and their approach to teaching information literacy, and gain insight into developments internationally. They will learn about changes in the information environment, including the impact of new media. Learning will take place through online discussion and interaction, through viewing and reading learning materials and through assessments which develop students understanding and capabilities.

15 credits

Libraries, Information and Society (distance learning)

This module provides an overview of the role of library and information services (LIS) in contemporary society and introduces students to public policy issues and their implications for the provision of LIS. Students are introduced to current practices and contemporary concerns in academic, national, public and special/workplace libraries and encouraged to develop an awareness of the social, economic, political and cultural environment in which LIS operates. It examines the importance of users in the design and management of LIS, explores ethical issues and aims to develop a critical awareness of the role of LIS in contemporary society.

15 credits

Leadership, Strategy and Change (distance learning)

This module aims to support students in the development of a range of management and leadership skills. Students will develop an understanding of different leadership and wider management theories and techniques, and will be able to evaluate their application and usefulness in a library and information services management context, in a variety of organisational settings. Topics will include leadership and management, strategic management, change management, project management, human resource management, team-working and conflict management, financial management, marketing and branding, business process management and service evaluation. Students will gain knowledge and understanding of all these topics within library and information environments and will gain a wide understanding of key LIS management issues and challenges.

15 credits

Information Organisation (distance learning)

This core module explores the organisational principles to facilitate the effective storage, search and retrieval of information and knowledge to meet users needs and domain requirements. Beginning with the challenges faced by those tasked with organising, the module considers the fundamental concepts, processes and issues that relate to the identification, organisation, maintenance and disposal of information and knowledge within various domains including libraries, museums, archives, computing, business, databases and the Web. A critical, evaluative and theoretical approach is adopted to ensure the modules learning outcomes transfer to students future studies and careers.

15 credits

Information and Knowledge Management (distance learning)

This module will examine principles and practices of information and knowledge management in the health sector. It will identify the different types of information and knowledge resources typically found in healthcare organisations and investigate methods used to generate, organise and exploit these assets. Real-world case studies will be used to illustrate and critique contemporary approaches to the design and implementation of information and knowledge audits, policies, strategies, products and services.

15 credits

Personal and Professional Development Portfolio (distance learning)

This module aims to support students in their personal and professional development and career planning. It is a 'capstone module' of the LISM programme, enabling students to draw together the skills and knowledge they have gained throughout the programme and reflect on how this can be applied to their professional practice. Students will develop skills in reflective practice, and understand how to assess and evaluate their own skills and attributes as they move to the next stage of their careers. They will be able to evaluate the professional environment, and the contributions they make within that professional context. Students will be encouraged to reflect on their own professional identity and develop personal and professional goals for the future. Topics will include reflective practice, professional awareness, career planning, and various types of continuing professional development (CPD) opportunities

15 credits

Research Methods and Dissertation Preparation (distance learning)

AIMS: to assist students in the identification of, and preparation of a dissertation proposal and to prepare the initial literature search for the chosen dissertation research topic. OBJECTIVES: Students will: become aware of ongoing research in the department; identify and prepare a dissertation proposal; carry out a preliminary literature search in the area of the dissertation research topic; be introduced to the use of social research methods and statistics for information management; start to collect data, compile questionnaires, etc. on the basis of discussions with their supervisor.

15 credits

Dissertation (distance learning)

This module enables students to carry out an extended piece of work on an Information School approved topic, so that they can explore an area of   specialist interest to them in greater depth. Students will be supported through tutorials with a project supervisor, apply research methods appropriate to their topic, and implement their work-plan to produce an individual project report. Students will already have identified a suitable topic and designed a project plan in the pre-requisite unit Research Methods and Dissertation Preparation.

45 credits

Optional modules - two from:

Academic and Workplace Library, Information and Knowledge Services (distance learning)

This module introduces students to the purposes, functions and practices of a range of academic, research and other specialist library, information and knowledge services in educational, public, charitable, and private sectors. It considers the challenges of delivering and developing services in a demanding, fast-moving and complex environment. Lectures are combined with sector-based case studies presented by visiting speakers drawn from various backgrounds giving extensive opportunities for interaction with specialist practitioners.

15 credits

Database Design and Data Management (distance learning)

Effective data management is key to any organisation, particularly with the increasing availability of large and heterogeneous datasets (e.g. transactional, multimedia and geo-spatial data). A database is an organised collection of data, typically describing the activities of one or more organisations and a core component of modern information systems. A Database Management System (DBMS) is software designed to assist in maintaining and utilising large collections of data and becoming a necessity for all organisations. This module provides an introduction to the area of databases and database management, relational database design and a flavour of some advanced topics in current database research that deal with different kinds of data often found within an organisational context. Lectures are structured into three main areas: (1) an introduction to databases, (2) the process of designing relational databases, and (3) advanced topics (e.g. data warehouses and non-relational databases). The course includes a series of practical sessions aimed at providing you with the skills required to implement a database in Oracle and extract information using the Structured Query Language (SQL).

15 credits

Public, School, and Prison Library Services (distance learning)

This module will enable students to understand and critically evaluate key elements of the principles, functions, practice, value and impact of school, and public and prison library services. The course will present the roles of these services, and the extent to which they support the educational, recreational, information and social needs of all members of society. There will be an exploration of key issues affecting school, public and prison library services today, and the extent to which they work independently and together to support the educational, recreational and social needs of the users. Students will be introduced to key professional skills required to work in these sectors, including reader development, design library spaces and advocating for library services. Recent and ongoing research will underpin the entire unit.

15 credits

Information Governance and Ethics (distance learning)

The module explores a) the emergence of information and data as an economic resource b) the governance challenges and ethical issues arising from organisations' systematic capture, processing, and use of information and data for organisational goals, e.g. value, risk, accountability, ownership, privacy etc. c) governance, ethical, legal and other frameworks relevant to the capture, processing and use of information and data within organisational and networked contexts d) technologies and techniques used in the governing and governance of information and data. Case examples from a number of domains, e.g. business, government, health, law, and social media illustrate the topics investigated.

15 credits

Other courses:

Postgraduate Certificate requires a total of 60 credits
Postgraduate Diploma requires a total of 120 credits