• Selecting, developing, organizing and maintaining systematic collection of books, periodicals, printed, electronic and audio-visual material, and items of artistic, cultural, scientific or historical significance.



• Disseminating information.



• Providing user training for print and electronic information retrieval.



• Directing and undertaking cataloguing, classification, indexing or abstracting of library material.



• Organising and administering circulation systems and information networks.



• Conducting research and contributing to the literature of the profession.



• Promoting literacy.



• Providing user education.



• Developing and maintaining electronic/on-line-databases.

Requirements

Secondary Education

A HIGCSE Grade 12, or equivalent qualification, with matriculation exemption is required to be admitted to South African universities. A HIGCSE or outstanding IGCSE Grade 12, or equivalent qualification, is needed for enrolment at a South Africantechnikon. UNAM requires a HIGCSE or IGCSE Grade 12, or equivalent qualification, with passes in five subjects and a minimum of 25 points on the UNAM point evaluation scale.

To be accepted for the Special Diploma in Information Studies, offered by UNAM, students should be in possession of a H/IGCSE Grade 12, or equivalent qualification, and at least one year’s appropriate experience.

Tertiary Education
Most South African universities offer either a four-year B. Bibl. degree, or a three-year B. degree and a one-year postgraduate diploma in Library Science. UNAM offers a four-year B. Information Studies degree with specialisation in Library Science and Records Management, as well as a two-year Special Diploma in Information Studies. The University of Botswana offers related degree, certificate and diploma courses.

Technikons such as ML Sultan, Port Elizabeth, South Africa and Witwatersrand offer a N. Dip.: Library and Information Practice.

Personality
The prospective candidate should have an inquiring mind, be neat, and have good communication skills. He/she should have good general knowledge about a wide variety of fields.

Work Opportunities
Librarians and information workers are employed in schools, tertiary and other educational institutions, parastatals, government structure such as the city councils, as well as private organisations.

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