First-level LIS education and training: A comparison between South Africa and Canada

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Raju, J.^{a; *} | Arsenault, C.^b

Affiliations: [a] Department of Library and Information Studies, Durban University of Technology, M.L. Sultan Campus, P.O. Box 1334, Durban, 4000, Republic of South Africa | [b] École de bibliothéconomie et des sciences de l'information, Université de Montréal C.P. 6128, succ. Centre-ville Montréal (QC), H3C 3J7, Canada. E-mail: clement.arsenault@umontreal.ca

Correspondence: [*] Corresponding author. Tel.: +27 31 3736773; Fax: +27 31 3736778; E-mail: jayar@dut.ac.za

Abstract: This paper presents a comparison of first-level LIS education and training between South Africa and Canada, and based on this comparative description, qualitative identification of similarities and differences are made to highlight strengths and weaknesses in each case. The paper concludes that while similarities exist, the differences stem largely from the different social contexts in which this education is located. Notwithstanding this, there are lessons to be learnt from the endeavors of each of these countries.

DOI: 10.3233/EFI-2007-253-403

Journal: Education for Information, vol. 25, no. 3-4, pp. 179-193, 2007