LIAS@UOM
Library, Information and Archive Studies@University of Malta 
Division of Library & Information Studies
Centre for Communication Technology


University of Malta
Centre for Communication Technology
University of Malta Library
 Computer Services Centre


Brief Programme Description and Background Information

The LIS Division offers courses leading to three different qualifications:
The Dip.LIS course and the B.LAIS courses enjoy the support of MaLIA (the Malta Library and Information Association) which recognizes them in part fulfillment of the requirements for enrolment in the Maltese Register of Professional Librarians.


Course Duration

Diploma in Library & Information Studies: Two years Part Time Evening (normally 3 times a week)
Diploma in Archive & Records Management: Two years Part Time Evening (normally 3 times a week)
Bachelor of Library, Information & Archive Studies: Five years Part Time Evening (normally 3 times a week, but more intensive attendance may be required during the second and fourth years of the course).

Overview of Course Modules

Diploma in Library & Information Studies (Dip.LIS)

LIAS Foundation Course
Management of Library, Archive & Information Units
Information Sources & Reference Work
Bibliographic Studies, Indexing & Retrieval
Library/Archive Automation & Information Management
Two choices from:
Advanced Cataloguing
Publishing & Book Trade Studies
School Librarianship
Library Services to Persons with Special Needs
Preservation Studies
Aspects of Melitensia
The Internet & Society


Diploma in Archive & Records Management (Dip.ARM)

LIAS Foundation Course
Management of Records & Archives
Information Sources & Reference Work
Records & Archival Description
Library/Archive Automation & Information Management
Two choices from:
Advanced Archival Description
Maltese Administrative History
Legal Issues in Archives
Archives, History & Society
Managing Electronic Records
Preservation Studies
Palaeography & Diplomatic Issues
Managing Audio-Visual & Digital Archives


Bachelor of Library, Information & Archive Studies (B.LIAS)

All the components listed in both Diploma programmes are required for the B.LIAS


Other Course Requirements
In addition to study units students are required to complete a Long Assignment of between 8,000 to 10,000 words or an approved study project, in Year 2 of the Diploma courses and in Years 2 and 4 of the degree course. B.LIAS students are also required to complete a dissertation in their fifth year of studies. Students are expected to obtain practical work experience in an approved library, archive or information unit as an integral part of the second year of the diploma course and in the second and fourth years of the degree course. Assessment of Study Units is by course work or tests, or both, depending on the unit, and by final synoptic study units (exam papers) at the end of the course. The course Coordinator and lecturers strive to give guidance and advice to students during each phase of the course.


Admission Requirements

Applicants for both diploma courses and for the degree course need to satisfy the University’s general admission requirements, and be in possession of a pass at Intermediate Level in English Language, or its equivalent.

Applicants who obtained the University’s Diploma in Library & Information Studies up to and including the year 2005 are eligible until October 2009 to apply to join the B.LIAS degree course with exemptions as approved by the CCT Board.

Mature applicants (over 23 years) are normally required to sit for an interview in order that their suitability to profit from the chosen course may be assessed. Those in doubt are advised to enquire with the university’s Student Advisory Services (telephone 2340 3096).

Although applicants with appropriate work experience are particularly welcome no knowledge of the subjects in the curriculum will necessarily be assumed. The courses are thus designed in such a way that they assist the acquisition of the basic knowledge and skills required of today’s library, information and archive personnel by providing the necessary exposure to the operations of a wide variety of environments. The major relevant principles and techniques will be taught, discussed, and examined purposefully.


Facilities on Campus

The LIS Division offices are located within the building housing the University’s Centre for Communication Technology which concentrates competence and facilities in this highly dynamic field. The CCT facilities include a computer laboratory hosting both Windows and Macintosh platforms, an Audio-Visual Library, Audio and Video recording Studios, teleconferencing facilities, a Darkroom and technical facilities.

The University Library contains over half a million volumes and houses the best general reference collection in Malta as well as the most extensive collection of Library & Information Studies on the island including the book collection of the Malta Library & Information Association. Internet and online search services and a good number of CD-ROM services are available in its Reference Department, and, combined with the Library’s well established overseas photocopy and inter-library loan services, these facilities provide students with the necessary backup to research topics in detail.

The University’s Computing Services Centre offers students e-mail accounts and Web access as well as other backup facilities in its computer labs. It also assists the Division’s teaching and logistical work through its extensive support services.


Overseas Links

Contacts are being continually cultivated with schools of library and information studies overseas. Links have been established with the School of Library, Archive and Information Studies at University College London, and with Clarion University of Pennsylvania, USA, which runs a successful exchange programme with the University of Malta. An Erasmus/Socrates agreement has been signed with the Dept. of Information Studies of the University of Wales at Aberystwyth, and it is hoped that the coming years will see further consolidation of overseas links.

Since 1994, with the assistance of the University’s International Office, and of the British Council, the Istituto Italiano di Cultura, and the American Center, the Division has been honoured to host a number of distinguished visiting professors who have successfully lectured or given short courses to Maltese LIS students.
Visitors have included Prof. Robin Alston, then Director of the School of Library, Archive & Information Studies (SLAIS) at University College London; Dr Ian Lovecy, Director of Information Services at the University of Wales, Bangor; Prof. William Buchanan of the Library School at Clarion University of Pennsylvania; Prof. Donato Tamble’ of the Archivio di Stato di Roma, and professor at the University La Sapienza in Rome; Andrew Dawson from SLAIS at University College London; Dr Theresa Vann, Curator of the Malta Study Center at the Hill Museum & Manuscript Library at St John’s University, Minnesota, who was hosted as a Fulbright professor during 2004-2005; Prof. William Jackson from Dominican University, Chicago, Illinois; Prof. Gordon B. Neavill from Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, and Mary Ann Sheble’ from Oakland Community College, Michigan.


Further Information

Additional information regarding entry requirements may be obtained from Student Advisory Services, University of Malta, Msida, MSD 06, telephone 2340 3096.

Further details regarding course content or course administration may be obtained from the Course Co-ordinator, Dr. Lillian Sciberras, PhD (Lond.), MA (Lond.), AIL, FCLIP, Library & Information Studies, Room 201, Centre for Communication Technology, University of Malta, Msida MSD 06, telephone 2340 2411; fax 2134 5655; e-mail lillian.sciberras@um.edu.mt.

Lectures are held at the University regularly on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays between 5.00 and 8.00 p.m. unless otherwise advised. The second and fourth years of the B.LIAS course may require more intensive attendance.

   

Page last updated: 16/09/05