# 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The Advanced Diploma has been superseded by the Professional Development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

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### 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:

-   Unit 6: Net Navigator Applications of ICT in Libraries/Net
    Navigator
-   Unit 7: Educator Applications of ICT in
    Libraries/Educator

(candidates must choose one of these)

-   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**.

