Library & information services courses

Library and information services courses typically cover the nature of information and how it’s created, organised and distributed.

Library courses allow you to understand the discipline of librarianship. This includes how to apply logical and rational processes to create innovative solutions for people using libraries. Your studies will also empower you to make educated decisions around which technologies are best suited to the creation and organisation of information.

If you’re someone who appreciates preserving information and sharing it, this could be the path for you.

Studying a librarian course allows you to help people access and use information in meaningful ways.

With the skills you gain, you can support students with their research, encourage young readers to explore books, and help older adults stay mentally active through reading.

You can also apply your knowledge in other fields. If you decide not to work in a library, the skills you gain in a librarian course can lead to roles in content creation, teaching, or information management. Or you could study a course dedicated to information services that can be used in a field like health or information systems.

The course you pick depends on what interests you and your career goals. If you like organising information and helping people find what they need, a library science course could be a good choice. You’ll cover topics like cataloging, archiving, and using technology to manage information.

Or are books and literature your passion? A literature course could be a better fit.

If you're more interested in managing information in a broader way, you might want to study an information science or information management course. You’ll focus on areas like records management and digital resources, in a way that can be applied to multiple industries.

Still not sure? Talk to our student advisors for help picking the right course for you.

In a library and information services course, you’ll learn how to:

• Manage and organise different types of information

• Catalog, archive, and retrieve data using technology

• Provide customer service and assist people in finding resources

• Use library systems and manage digital resources

• Work with records management and information systems

When you graduate, you’ll have the skills needed to work in libraries, schools, government offices, and other places that need information management.

Before starting an enrolment, it’s important to read the entry requirements for your chosen course to ensure you’re eligible to apply. If you don’t quite meet the requirements, we may be able to help you find a pathway into your course through open-entry subjects, which anyone can study.

Entry requirements vary depending on the course and level of study. For short courses, no prior experience is necessary, while undergraduate qualifications may require a minimum ATAR or relevant work experience. Postgraduate qualifications generally require you to have a bachelor degree or background in business, IT, or related fields.

It's best to check individual course details for precise information. Or get in touch with our student advisors and they can help you understand the entry requirements for your course.

Studying library and information services can lead to a variety of careers, including:

• Librarian (public, academic, or special libraries)

• Audiovisual librarian

• Legal librarian

• Parliamentary librarian

• Reference librarian

• Children’s librarian (working with young readers)

• Cataloguer

• Information manager

• Web content specialist

You can work in different industries, from education to law, or even in digital content, depending on your interests and skills. The field offers plenty of opportunities to specialise or branch out into new areas.

Here at Open Universities Australia, we make enrolling online as straightforward as possible. To get started, find the course for you by browsing the options on this page. You can also compare different qualifications using our handy comparison tool, or request help from one of our student advisors.

When you’ve made your choice, click ‘Apply now’ on the relevant course page and follow the prompts to begin your enrolment. We’ll ask you to supply some supporting documentation, including proof of your identity, your tax file number, and a unique student identifier (USI) during this process.

Your university will get in touch with you via email to confirm whether or not your application has been successful.

Please note that enquiries and applications for some courses are handled directly by the university. If this is the case, it will be indicated on the course listing page.  

For more information about enrolment, read our online self-service enrolling instructions. If you get stuck at any time, contact us and we’ll talk you through it.