The library technical assistant program will give you an understanding of the history of libraries and the functions and roles of the different types of libraries, and will have an understanding of and be functionally proficient in: basic library technical services including ordering, processing, and copy-cataloging of the variety of types and forms of materials found in libraries; library public support services including circulation, interlibrary loan, and basic reference, and computer operations as they relate to library functions.
As a library technical assistant, you might work under the supervision of librarians in circulation, technical processing, reference and audio-visual services. You also might assist librarians in the preparation and organization of materials and help patrons use the library.
Sample careers in this field: Education, library support, library technical assistant, research
Curriculum View the curriculum for this program and all others currently available at Ivy Tech.
Locations The library technical assistant program is offered at the following campuses. Please click on the campus of interest below for contact and campus specific program information:
Bloomington
Contact: Brett Pfingston Distance Ed Coordinator 812-330-6104 bpfingst@ivytech.edu
Northwest (Gary, East Chicago, Valparaiso, Michigan City)
Contact: Barbara Weaver Library Director/LTA Advisor 219-981-3310 bweaver@ivytech.edu
Richmond
Contact: Darryl T. Decker Assistant Director of Academic Affairs Support 765-966-2656 ext. 1123 800-659-4562 ext. 1123 Fax: 765-962-8741 ddecker@ivytech.edu
Ivy Tech Community College offers an Associate of Science in Library Technical Assistant with two concentration choices: Children's Services and Technology. The courses required for the degree and for each concentration are listed on the previous LTA web page. The degree consists of 25 credit hours in general education courses and 36 credit hours in technical courses.
You may take just selected courses; however, the College recommends completing the full degree. This effort gives you the best and fullest education and allows you to continue your education at the next higher level. Some students like to take a course or two to build confidence before they declare that they are "degree-seeking", but most decide that is the best route to go and work to complete the full degree.
No, all of the LTA classes are available as online only classes and are available from anywhere in the state and beyond. You may opt to take some of the general education courses on campus, but they are also available online. Assignments in the courses will require you to visit libraries now and then, and the final practicum course requires 144 hours of work in a library.
No. You do not need a computer at home, but you DO need access to a computer and the Internet from somewhere. It will make your life easier if you have it at home, but you can use a computer at your office, your library, or even at a friend's home. It will require more planning on your part to get to that machine regularly throughout the semester, but it can be done.
Taking a course online does not mean you will do "everything" online. Ivy Tech online courses are offered through our course management system, Blackboard. You will log on to that system and access information about your course there. You will find information on your instructor, announcements for the class, a course calendar, assignments, lectures, discussion boards, a messaging/email system, quizzes, tests, and more. You will have a weekly schedule to follow with due dates for assignments and tests. Usually you will print off your assignments each week, do the readings and assignments offline, check two or three times a week for updates and emails, and then email or upload your completed work by the due date. You will also go online each week for a few minutes to participate in discussion boards or occasional live chats. There is great flexibility in when you do your work as long as you meet the due dates! Only for the occasional live chats will you have to be online at a specific time.
Yes. You will have to fill out an application to the College and can do so by clicking here. (There is no fee.) Click on the "Campuses" button on the left to find the campus nearest you. That is the campus to which you should apply.
New/first-time students must go to a local Ivy Tech campus to register. Contact the LTA Advisor at the campus nearest to you, using the locations list above.
The LTA courses are offered as listed below. Most of the general education requirements are offered each semester. Consult the Ivy Tech web site for specific details on general education course offerings.
Yes. The full degree with all required courses transfers to a Bachelor of General Studies (BGS) at IUPUI. Other four year schools may also transfer most or all of the degree. After transferring the courses, you will likely be in "junior" status with only two more years of course work to complete towards a bachelor's degree.
No, none of the Ivy Tech courses will count for credit in a Masters program in Library Science; however, the IUPUI School of Library and Information Science accepts students who have transferred from the LTA program into a Bachelor's program such as the Bachelor of General Studies described in the transfer question above, providing the student's grades meet the school's standard. In this way, the LTA program can act as a career ladder to higher level accomplishments.
Yes. Initial Certification: The Indiana State Library accepts LIBR 102 (Reference), LIBR 201 (Cataloging) and LIBR 203 (Services for Children) for certificate levels 4 and LIBR 102 (Reference)for certificate level 5. All LIBR courses are accepted for certificate level 6 and for the library continuing education unit requirements. Development of courses in selection and in public library administration is currently underway with offerings anticipated in 2009/10 academic year. LEU's: All library courses in the LTA curriculum are accepted towards the Library Education Units (LEU's) required by the Indiana State Library plan.
Many of the LTA students are already working in a library. This article published in the July 2008 issue of Focus on Indiana Libraries gives you a good idea of who the students are. There are also students who have not yet worked in a library. If you are a student new to libraries, the "experienced" library workers will enrich your course experience and broaden your education.
Anyone who likes working with people, is good at customer service, is good at organization and details and likes to work with computers and new technologies, and who has a natural curiosity and desire to seek out information and answers to questions will find library courses and library work rewarding and will likely be good at it!.
Both vary depending on the locale. While growth in this field is not strong, openings do occur. You should check with the public, academic, school, and special libraries in your area for the current openings. Salaries start around $10 to $12 per hour and can go as high as $18. Again check with local libraries for local details.
