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Chris King – Senior Administrator

Paul, Jane and Nick

Nick's notes

What the programme covers

Confusion between Master of Information Management (for IT managers) and Master of Information Studies (for librarians and archivists), especially since librarians often call themselves “information managers”.

Key messages

Distance learning

Distance learning - Can do whole programme by distance

[Seems to appeal to audience – most Wellington students choose to study by distance]

Online communities: Blackboard, online conferencing system

[Sounded like it was hard going getting students involved though]

Have established market in librarian side of things [Gillian as an archivist would like to expand that]

Only PG programme for librarians [combine with current pitch – PG needed these days]

Have strong links with professional bodies

Entry and stair-casing

You need honours

So lots of students come in via the Dip

Some also use to test/trial/try-out if they want to complete the full programme

Don’t promote the exit option

Bachelor degrees often Arts, Comms, teaching

Some are working (e.g. as library assistants) [How many? If lots then info for people returning to study is more important.]

Terminology

They use ‘staircasing’

They like the term ‘professional’

Not post-experience – no experience requirement

FAQs

Can I apply?

Can I cross-credit?

How do I apply/what are steps?

What are the fees?

Can I study part time?

• This is quite common.
• Matters for StudyLink student loans.
• Students don’t realise they can tee up a student loan in case they study without committing to borrowing any money.

Specialisations/structure/what you study

Library Science (LIBS) or Archives and Records Management (ARCR) specialisations

Students like these

Some do both (takes a bit longer)

They increase employability

Current numbers

50-70 per year

c. 200 all up

[Biggest PG programme]