Media & Information

Information Studies

Studies in librarianship, corporate information management, records and archives at Curtin University provide knowledge of the theoretical foundations and techniques which underpin their formulation and foundation. Students study the information needs of various client groups, the wide range of materials with which they work, the highly sophisticated organisational skills of indexing, storing and retrieving information, and effective methods of managing information services. There is also the opportunity to study in a minor stream in another discipline. The content of a suite of core units exposes students to many of the societal issues which confront us in today's information world.

Libraries and information services may be regarded as centres for the acquisition, storage, retrieval and dissemination of documents and information covering the spectrum of knowledge. All forms of materials are used in the process of recording information - books and serials, microforms, photographs, audio, video and electronic storage devices including CDs and computer disks. In addition, external databases and the Internet are often accessed in the daily work of the information professional. The services which information professionals provide reach a broad range of clients, ranging from the general public to highly educated and trained specialists needing information for their daily work. Library and information professionals play a key role in the knowledge transfer process for their communities.

Information and library studies comprise a professional discipline which makes considerable intellectual demands and requires exceptional communication skills for practitioners. It also demands an ability to relate to others and is not a haven for those with a shy disposition. The objectives of the qualifying courses are to graduate a person who has a general competence in the theory and techniques associated with professional information work, a sound general educational background, communication skills, a commitment to service and the courage to defend their professional convictions. Graduates are also stimulated to match their intellectual skills with information technology to provide creative services and solutions for the communities they serve.
We aim to provide our students with an appropriate intellectual and professional background to from the basis of a stimulating and rewarding professional career.