Current Library and Information Practice is a unique programme on offer to you as part of NoWAL's staff training and development activities. CLIP is validated by the OCN (Open College Network). This means that you now have the opportunity to obtain nationally recognised credits and/or the full CLIP for successfully completing staff development in your choice of subject areas.

 

Each of the above subject areas consists of units of credit. By completing training in any of the above units individuals will be entitled to a minimum of three credits, or part of a qualification. One credit is equivalent to 10 hours of teaching and learning. This will involve a combination of training with a tutor and independent learning activities outside the classroom. One full day's teaching with a tutor will normally last for 7 hours. The balance of taught time and independent learning activities will vary according to the unit being taken, but independent activity will never exceed 50% of the total hours assigned to the unit. In NoWAL, individuals undertake independent activity in their own time and attend taught sessions in work time.

Some of the units are longer than others and provide the opportunity to achieve a six credit unit. The six credit units are equivalent to 60 hours of teaching and learning. The following list indicates whether a unit is a three credit unit or a six credit one.

Customer Service

Improving Your Information Skills

Supporting Learners Presenting with SpLD within the LIS (under development)

Effective Communication (under development)

Library and Information Skills

Supervisory Skills (under development)

Training and Learning Skills

CLIP is a flexible programme as it enables individuals to take one or more units of their choice or the equivalent of 18 credits to gain the full certificate. However, the Library and Information skills unit is compulsory for anyone wishing to achieve the full CLIP certificate; this is equivalent to 6 units in its own right. Individuals can then take their choice of units in any order to make up the total. GMOCN awards a certificate for every unit achieved and individuals can register to take the full CLIP certificate for up to 5 years.

There are no exams with CLIP. A variety of assessment methods are used, including participating in group discussions with the tutor; undertaking a work-based project; writing an assignment; or practising the skill in the workplace. All of the units are taught and assessed at level 3. The unit tutor/s assess the majority of the learning. However, some units contain an element of work-based assessment, which is undertaken by a trained member of staff from one of the NoWAL libraries. For more information see the Assessment Fact Sheet.

Individuals can be exempted from some of the taught sessions if they feel they have qualifications (not more than 5 years old), have attended courses, or have significant experience in the subject area of a particular unit they plan to study. This is subject to an interview with the unit tutor/s, which the NoWAL Office will arrange in advance of the start of the unit.

• Enhancement of your qualifications base
• Nationally recognised credits and/or a programme to put on your CV
• Opportunity for progression to an Information and Library Management or Information Management degree at Manchester Metropolitan University, upon award of the full CLIP programme
• Ability to put your credits towards a further qualification that is based upon a national credit system
• Reward for undertaking staff development that you might have taken anyway
• Training related directly to your work
• Opportunities to apply the skills you are learning in the workplace
• Flexibility to take as many units as you choose over a 5 year period
• Opportunities to network with other staff