Library and Information Technician Diploma FAQs

A Library and Information Technician can work in a wide variety of library and information-based settings providing services to the general public, post-secondary institutions, schools, and hospitals. Library and Information Technicians can be part of a large library staff or work on their own, and are trained in the practical aspects of operating a library on a daily basis (different than librarians, who usually focus on administration and management). With a dynamic field of work, technicians connect people with information resources in all formats (print or digital). 

Applications must be submitted through the OCAS – Ontario College Application Service. Intakes are available every Fall (September), Winter (January), and Spring (May) for both part-time and full-time studies. Once an application is submitted, please check your email regularly for updates from OCAS and Mohawk College regarding the status of your application.

Applicants must have an Ontario Secondary School Diploma or be of Mature Student Status (19 years of age or older), and have a passing grade in Grade 12 English (college or university level). If you do not meet the Grade 12 English admission requirement or are unable to provide a transcript confirming completion of Grade 12 English (or equivalent), a Pre-Admission Test can be arranged. Successful completion of Pre-Admission Testing will allow acceptance into the program. If Pre-Admission Testing is necessary or if you require assistance with the OCAS application process, please contact coach [at] mohawkcollege.ca (coach[at]mohawkcollege[dot]ca). 

The Library and Information Technician Diploma program consists of 28 online courses, including two in-person field placements. The program can take as little as 4 semesters (1.5 years) if completed on following a full-time schedule or span across multiple years if completed part-time. Upon completion, you will receive an Ontario College Diploma.   

Although you must select full-time or part-time when applying on OCAS, you can switch between part-time and full-time studies throughout the duration of your program. Simply register for the number of courses you wish to complete each semester. Please note course load does impact OSAP eligibility. OSAP students changing their status from full-time to part-time are encouraged to speak to the Financial Assistance Office to confirm whether there are impacts to funding eligibility. 

Our courses are taught online, asynchronously through OntarioLearn. There are no scheduled lectures when completing online courses, however, students are responsible for completing the weekly modules and assigned coursework. Assignment due dates and test deadlines must be followed and will be confirmed by your instructor at the beginning of the semester. All courses are led by instructors who are available to you throughout the semester. Instructors can be contacted by students and will provide feedback on assignments throughout the course.  

If you prefer to study at your own pace and have basic computer skills, online courses may be a good fit for you. Although online learning is a convenient way to complete post-secondary courses, it is not necessarily suited to all students. Some students find it difficult to study independently and benefit from face-to-face interaction with an instructor found in a classroom setting. Online learning students must have self-discipline, excellent reading and writing skills, and basic computer knowledge. Students should be familiar with word processing software (such as Microsoft Word), and email-based systems prior to considering this program. To upgrade computer skills, consider a CE introductory 'Computer Basics' course or a Learning Support Centre workshop before applying. 

To find out if online learning is for you, take a short quiz, courtesy of OntarioLearn, at the OntarioLearn (opens in new window) website.

Students can choose how many courses they take each term as long as course prerequisites are met. The program can be taken on a part-time or full-time basis. Typically, a part-time student would take 2-3 courses per semester, and a full-time student would take between 5-7 courses per semester. 

The program can take as little as 4 semesters (1.5 years) if completed following a full-time schedule or span across multiple years if completed part-time. We strongly encourage students to complete their studies within 4 years as the program of studies can change to meet ministry standards. Students must graduate under the program of studies in effect at time of graduation. If you find yourself struggling to complete the program within 4 years or need to pause your studies for a period of time, please connect with our office for a completion plan. We can be reached at celibrary [at] mohawkcollege.ca (celibrary[at]mohawkcollege[dot]ca)

The number of hours shown for each course are "equivalent classroom hours". Thus, the workload for a 42-hour online course would be similar as if you took a course through a traditional classroom delivery. Each course will require approximately 3-4 hours of work (or study time) per week. This can change depending on your knowledge of the subject matter or if there are upcoming assignments/tests. 

Every course has a fixed start/end date and assignment due dates that must be followed. You can submit assignments early if you wish, but the instructor will not return the assignment mark until after the due date. It is at the discretion of the instructor whether an assignment can be submitted late or if a test can be written past the test date. 

Most courses are offered every semester (September, May, January) with the exception of some General Electives and Library Option courses. A course schedule is provided on our website and all new students will be provided a suggested completion plan with their Acceptance Letter. Available courses are listed in the Continuing Education Course Catalogue during each semester’s registration period. 

Current library experience is recommended; however, it is not required. 

Yes, you can be put on a waiting list for a course if it is full. If a registered student withdraws during the first 6 days of a course, you will be contacted on next steps in registering. Please note that waiting lists are not kept for subsequent terms; you will need to register again for your preferred course in the next term that it is offered.

If you find yourself placed on a waitlist and would like to know whether there are additional course options available to you, please contact celibrary [at] mohawkcollege.ca (celibrary[at]mohawkcollege[dot]ca). 

Fees are paid per course at the time of registration. Fees range from approximately $200-$500 per course. Please keep in mind that course fees are subject to change. Available courses and their associated fees can be found in the Continuing Education Course Catalogue during each semester’s registration period. 

The Library and Information Technician program is OSAP eligible and may also be eligible for scholarships and bursaries. We recommend contacting the Mohawk College Financial Assistance Department for all OSAP-related questions. They can be reached by submitting an inquiry at https://www.mohawkcollege.ca/form/email-financial-assistance. If your question is related to course registration using OSAP, please contact our office at celibrary [at] mohawkcollege.ca (celibrary[at]mohawkcollege[dot]ca).  

Many of the courses in our program do not require the purchase of a textbook and texts are used for multiple courses. Required textbooks will be posted on our Bookstore website prior to the start of each semester as well as confirmed by your instructor during the first week of class. Please note textbook requirements can change each semester. Students are welcome to purchase textbooks through third-party vendors or from previous students. Instructors will always reference current textbook editions. If using an “older” edition of a textbook, please note content may differ.  

For some of our courses, you may need to use resources in print or digital formats that may be accessed through libraries. Instructors will make suggestions regarding libraries in your area that you can obtain these resources. Students are also encouraged to check the Mohawk College Library for print or digital resources related to your studies.

You will need regular access to a computer with an internet connection (high speed broadband access is highly recommended) and word processing software (such as Microsoft Word). 

Some courses require the use of Microsoft Access and or Microsoft Excel. Students can access all Microsoft Office software through our IT Department. For more information, please visit our IT Department webpage. 

If you have successfully completed library-related courses through previous post-secondary studies, you may be eligible to transfer your credits to Mohawk College. In addition, if you have previous post-secondary education, you may also be eligible for exemptions from the required general electives and communication courses. Please visit the exemption webpage for more information. There is no fee to request an exemption, but you must be an official Mohawk College student prior to requesting exemptions. You may contact our office once accepted into your program for guidance with the exemption process and to help determine possible exemptions.  

PLAR Challenge Exams/Portfolios provide students the ability to receive credit for prior work experience in the field. There is a fee of approximately $145 to complete a PLAR. We recommend students review course outlines prior to requesting PLARs. Similar to exemptions, please contact our office upon acceptance for further guidance on the PLAR process.   

Paid work cannot be used towards the completion of placement hours. However, if a student has enough experience in the field, they may be eligible to PLAR their first Field Placement (WORK LT290).   

Yes, students are encouraged to complete their field placements in different types of libraries as the intention of field placement is to broaden a student’s experience and exposure. You are not limited to specific libraries and placements can be completed across Canada. When you have completed all prerequisite courses and are ready to start planning a field placement, you will be provided access to an online Placement Planning Form that will help our Program Specialist with securing your placement location. Our Program Specialist will work with students collaboratively to secure a placement that meets their interests and location.  

Field placements provide valuable opportunities to explore different library service settings and guide students to a career path tailored to them. Other ways to explore different career options include reaching out to local library professionals or by exploring/joining professional associations that represent specific sectors within the library/information services field. Libraries are also known to have volunteer opportunities for individuals interested in the field.  

In this program, you will also have the opportunity to complete four Library Option courses, all focusing on different areas of library or information services. You may choose Library Option courses that best reflect your interests or use them as an opportunity to explore aspects of the field you may not be familiar with. You are also welcome to complete additional option courses if you wish for further development or general interest. Only 4 option courses will be included when calculating your GPA and count towards program completion.  

A passing grade for each course is 50%. However in order to graduate, you must achieve an overall WGPA of 60%.

The education for an MLIS degree and Library and Information Technician Diploma is quite different. At the university level, to earn a Masters degree in Library and Information Science, the education focuses on theory and policy in libraries, whereas the education for a library technician is much more practical, focusing on the specific skills that are needed to run a library on a day-to-day basis.

In libraries, generally the department heads and senior management tend to be librarians, whereas the people who are the face of the library, working with clients directly and doing technical services work such as cataloguing, tend to be library technicians. Library technicians usually work under the supervision of a librarian in a large library, or they may work independently in a small library.

Libraries have changed; they are not answering the same kinds of simple reference questions they may have been asked 10-20 years ago when people didn’t have reference tools available online, right at their fingertips. Library staff today are serving as curators of information, helping users find the specific information they need, and continuing to support in-depth research needs. Libraries are reinventing themselves and taking on new roles. They are serving as community hubs, providing maker spaces, and doing lots of innovative programming. Job prospects in libraries are quite positive. While print books will not disappear, the majority of library resources are available electronically now in subscription databases, e-books and other electronic tools. It is important that people who want to get into the library field, in addition to knowledge of literature and books, enjoy working with people and enjoy working with technology.

The work of the library technician is about information – finding information, organizing information, and making information available. There are many transferable skills that come out of the Library and Information Technician Diploma in all of those areas. There are related information fields such as archives, records management, museums, and research.