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News RoomLIANZA Profession Registration Board Announcement
22 September 2009Review of Curricula of NZ Graduate Library and Information Programmes
Background A key feature of the LIANZA Library and Information Profession Registration Scheme is to ensure that the curricula of NZ graduate library and information programmes adequately cover the body of knowledge (BoK) as defined by the Profession Registration Board http://www.lianza.org.nz/registration/files/Body_of_professional_knowledge.pdf. The professional body of knowledge sets out those skills that library and information professionals need for roles within institutions where sound professional knowledge and judgement are required. The library and information management profession is based on a distinct set of specialist knowledge and skills, which are necessary to design, plan, develop, manage, and evaluate the delivery of library and information services and meet clients' information needs. This body of knowledge has been derived from International Federation of Library Associations (IFLA) guidelines, and adapted to include recognition of indigenous knowledge paradigms specific to Aotearoa New Zealand. In 2008, the Registration Board commissioned external reviews of curricula of graduate library and information programmes offered by Victoria University of Wellington Te Whare Wānanga o te Upoko o te Ika a Maui (VUW) and undergraduate programmes offered by Open Polytechnic He Wharekura-tini Kaihautu o Aotearoa (OP) and Te Wānanga o Raukawa (TWOR). The Terms of Reference specified the purpose of the reviews as "to assess the degree to which the curricula of the library and information programmes offered by the three NZ institutions cover the body of knowledge as defined by the Profession Registration Board. The reviews provide an opportunity to benchmark and set in place a pattern of regular monitoring of the core curricula, as well as encouraging continuous improvement of curricula content". The reviews of programmes from VUW and OPNZ were carried out by Marion Huckle and Dr Ian Lovecy from CILIP (UK), supported by Barbara Garriock as the NZ expert. Both Marion and Ian are experienced reviewers for CILIP and conduct similar reviews in the UK as part of CILIP's accreditation process. Loriene Roy was engaged to conduct the review of the programme at TWOR. Loriene is an acknowledged expert in indigenous knowledge systems and is a Professor at the School of Information, The University of Texas at Austin. Loriene has been a frequent visitor to New Zealand and TWOR. Following the review process, which has been carried out conscientiously, objectively and with dialogue with and feedback from the institutions, the Board has carefully considered and determined its position on the status of each qualification in terms of the degree to which the BoK is covered. The Board has also therefore determined the different approaches necessary to support the graduates of the programmes to ensure that any gaps in BoK coverage in a specific qualification can be covered as part of their supervised initial professional training. Following is the outcome of this review and the Registration Board's decision about the status of each qualification.
*OP is required to demonstrate to the Board that specific areas of concern raised will be addressed in the curricula within 12-18 months. The Board will support OP in this process, and can report that OP has already made progress in addressing these concerns. **TWOR - One proviso occurs because of the unique nature of the programme - that graduates wishing to move into a library career and professional registration may need to undertake further tertiary study related to BoK 1 (the information environment and library context) and BoK 9 (management of information agencies) as part of their period of supervised initial professional training. Only a small number of graduates from TWOR move into library work, and the Board does not wish the fundamental nature and focus of this programme to change. Specific guidelines will be developed by the Board for graduates of each school and their mentors to assist with the development of individual training plans. This will include identifying possible courses of study that are suited to cover gaps. The Board is committed to working constructively with all three institutions to ensure that the qualifications being offered do adequately cover the BoK for those graduates who wish to pursue a career in the library and information profession, and that the qualifications themselves are widely recognised by the profession. A review of the new MIS degree at VUW will also be undertaken shortly.
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