Postgraduate - Area of study Library, archival and recordkeeping systems

The specialisation focuses on the design, development, implementation, management and use of library, archival and recordkeeping systems and services. It also addresses a range of professional and ethical issues, and includes a professional practice placement.

Library and information services units focus on:

• information contexts and environments
• information and knowledge flows
• information seeking behaviours
• information access
• information sources and resources
• information organisation and information architecture.

Records and archives units prepare records managers and archivists for the digital age, focusing on the knowledge and skills required to ensure that vital records of organisational activities in all media are created, effectively managed and made accessible.

The goal of the library, archival and recordkeeping systems specialisation is to prepare students for professional practice as librarians, records managers, archivists and other information and knowledge professionals in business, government and community organisations. Depending on their qualifications and experience prior to graduate study and the nature of their elective study, graduates could be employed in a wide variety of information/knowledge-related roles, such as: information manager, information services manager, librarian, teacher librarian, community information officer, research analyst, indexer, cataloguer, metadata analyst, records manager, archivist, office systems manager, document manager, enterprise content manager, information architect, knowledge manager, chief information officer, chief knowledge officer.

In addition to the desirable generic graduate attributes identified by the University, graduates should be able to:

• develop and manage information services, collections and electronic resources
• plan, develop and implement an organisation's information strategy and information policy
• analyse information requirements/user needs and develop programs and services to meet those needs
• design and develop systems for organising information and facilitating access to information resources in physical collections and digital/web-based repositories
• manage the processes associated with the creation, storage, recall and dissemination of an organisation's business records.

Graduates will have a sound theoretical knowledge of information management principles that will enable them to adapt readily to technological, organisational, and environmental change.

Professional recognition

The specialisation is recognised as a professional qualification by the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA), the Records and Information Management Professionals Australasia (RIM) and the Australian Society of Archivists (ASA) and comprises the core units required for professional recognition by these organisations. Note that professional accreditation is dependent on unit choice. For further information about units required for accreditation by each professional body refer to http://www.infotech.monash.edu.au/courses/accreditation.html.