Degree Programme in Library and Information Services: PKITIS17

Descriptions

Study objectives

Qualified library and information service professionals are experts on information management and customer service. During the studies, students focus on the profession where it is essential to be able to navigate in the world of information, collections and records. In addition, they achieve the skills and knowledge in information organization and retrieval, tutoring, and service design. The library and information expert is able to recognize different customer groups and to develop services which meet the changing and diverse information needs. LIS professionals are expected to be able to organize events and services which inspires audience. Library and information specialist should be curious towards new work methods and active in networking with a multidisciplinary and multicultural approach.

Structure of studies and study contents

The extent of the studies is 210 ECTS and the curriculum contains the following elements:
•Basic studies 35 ECTS
•Professional studies 95 ECTS
•Optional studies 30 ECTS
•Work placement 30 ECTS
•Bachelor's thesis 20 ECTS

During the basic studies, students develop their linguistic and communicative skills and learn the basics on business. Professional studies in library and information services are composed of six study modules which focus on the work tools and methods applied in the library and information field. Moreover, the professional studies include elements of marketing and project management. The active project approach supports the continuous dialogue between working life and education. Students are involved in the professional discussion and projects of the degree programme in Library and Information Services offer international learning and networking opportunities.

Thesis

An important element of the education is the bachelor’s thesis which is an active learning process. In the process, students are operators who develop study or test assignments of the working life. The thesis is not necessary individual work but it could be done in pairs or even groups.


Evaluation and feedback

The modules, study periods, practical training and thesis are graded on a scale of 0 to 5. In the evaluation of the study modules, the criteria of Turku University of Applied Sciences and the Degree Programme in Library and Information Services are used. In the evaluation, self-assessment and peer review are employed along with the evaluation of the examiner and feedback from work experience.

The objective of the Degree Programme in Library and Information Services is continuous improvement. This development of the curriculum is implemented by the feedback received from students, representatives from workplaces, partners in cooperation and interest groups. The feedback and the development ideas in the operation are collected with the help of student surveys and group-specific development discussions.

Internationalization

Internationality and diversity are essential parts of entire working life. The Turku University of Applied Sciences and the degree programme in Library and Information Services are active international operators, and the students of TUAS have good opportunities to develop their language skills, cultural competence and requirements for international contexts and environments. At TUAS, we have plenty of exchange students and visiting teachers from partner universities around the world so students are offered number of alternatives for intercultural communication. As a student you can choose an appropriate way for internationalization: go abroad, be active tutor and member in the exchange community.

Career opportunities

•Librarian
•Library assistant
•Information specialist

Possible jobtitles after graduation

Mainly, the graduates operate in the library and information organizations. Increasingly, work is connected with projects where the aim is to develop the LIS branch, services, operations in the co-operation with stakeholders and clients.

Postgraduate study opportunities

The Turku University of Applied Sciences offers the Master's degree in the library and information studies. In addition, bachelor degree provides the ability to apply to the research universities. In Finland the Åbo Akademi University, the University of Tampere and the University of Oulu offer information studies.