Series: Gateway to Library Skills Series!
Target Audience: Library Officers and Library Assistants —or anyone with a passion for libraries!
Module 1: Kickstart: Library Foundation Made Easy
Pre-requisites: None
Duration
1 Day | 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Location
National Library Building
Overview
The Gateway to Library Skills Series is a comprehensive multi-module program designed to equip new and aspiring library staff with the essential knowledge, practical skills, and modern digital competencies required for today’s library environment. Across the series, participants develop a strong foundation in library operations, patron services, digital literacy, emerging technologies, and professional standards. The series emphasises hands-on learning, active engagement, and the use of innovative tools to support efficient, user-focused library services
- This foundational course introduces library staff or those interested in entering the library field to the rich history of libraries, touching on the various types of libraries alongside the essential skills and knowledge needed to operate effectively in a modern library environment. With the evolving role of libraries in the digital age, this training balances traditional library operations with exposure to digital tools and technologies.Through a blend of presentations, interactive discussions, hands-on activities, and case studies, participants will gain insights into libraries and best practices, learn from peer experiences, and build confidence in performing daily library functions, while also exploring how digital systems can enhance user experience and streamline workflows.Objectives:
- Explain the types of libraries and their user profiles.
- Identify key areas within the library and their functions.
- Understand circulation, collections, cataloguing, reference, and user services.
- Recognise how these functions keep library operations smooth.
- Explain the role of basic digital tools in library operations.
- Describe how tools like OPAC, ILS, and self-checkout systems support daily workflows and user access.
- Learners will perform a guided search using OPAC, locating specific titles or subjects based on given criteria.
- Evaluate methods of promoting library resources to maximize user engagement.
- Design simple displays and activities to support promotion of materials
- Assess the effectiveness of a library’s customer service approach.
- Reflect on service scenarios, touching on the importance of community engagement, customer service and effective service delivery
| Category | Full Course Fee | Discounted Course Fee |
| Early Bird Discount for registrations made 1 month before course commencement. | $500.00 | $450.00 |
| (All 3 Modules) | $1500.00 | $1,300.00 |
Terms and Conditions
Payment is non-refundable upon successful registration
Cancellation Fee
| $100 | ≥ 9–14 working days before course start |
| 50% of Course Fee | ≥ 4–8 working days before course start |
| Full Course Fee | ≤ 3 working days before course start / No show |
Rescheduling Fee
| $100 | ≤ 14 working days before course start |
Contact us: enquiry@laas.com.sg
Module 2: Collection Curation & Management
Pre-requisites: None
Duration
1 Day | 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Location
National Library Building
Overview
Collection development is at the heart of library operations—it is about ensuring the right materials are available for the right people, at the right time. For entry-level library staff, this module introduces the fundamentals of how libraries select, acquire, organise, and maintain their collections, while also exploring how digital tools can support smarter, data-driven collection decisions.
Participants will learn to distinguish between physical and digital collections, understand the selection and acquisition process, and apply basic evaluation techniques. We will also introduce the role of community needs and usage data in shaping modern library collections.
By the end of this module, participants will have a clear, practical understanding of their role in collection support, as well as how to identify trends, gaps, and opportunities in the library’s holdings.
- Objectives:
- Define collection development and its purpose
- Understand how collection development aligns with library missions and community interests.
- Recognise its importance in ensuring resources remain relevant and balanced.
- Identify and classify main types of library collections
- Learn the categories of library materials: print, digital, multimedia, and special collections.
- Practice classifying items into the correct formats for easier organisation and access.
- Explain the selection and acquisition process
- Understand the steps from need assessment to material acquisition.
- Apply basic selection criteria like relevance, accuracy, and community demand.
- Apply weeding criteria to evaluate collections
- Learn why removing outdated or low-use materials is necessary.
- Analyse sample collections to decide which items to retain, replace, or withdraw.
- Explain how emerging technology supports collection management
- Explore how modern tools and analytics support better selection and tracking.
- Define collection development and its purpose
| Category | Full Course Fee | Discounted Course Fee |
| Early Bird Discount for registrations made 1 month before course commencement. | $500.00 | $450.00 |
| (All 3 Modules) | $1500.00 | $1,300.00 |
Terms and Conditions
Payment is non-refundable upon successful registration
Cancellation Fee
| $100 | ≥ 9–14 working days before course start |
| 50% of Course Fee | ≥ 4–8 working days before course start |
| Full Course Fee | ≤ 3 working days before course start / No show |
Rescheduling Fee
| $100 | ≤ 14 working days before course start |
Contact us: enquiry@laas.com.sg
Module 3: Cataloguing & Resource Discovery
Pre-requisites: None
Duration
1 Day | 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Location
National Library Building
Overview
Cataloguing and classification are the backbone of library organisation. They ensure that library materials are easily retrievable and accessible to users. For new library staff, this module introduces:
- The purpose and importance of cataloguing and classification in library services.
- Basic terminology (call numbers, metadata, subject headings, Dewey Decimal Classification).
- Hands-on exercises to recognize and interpret labels, call numbers, and catalogue records.
- An introduction to AI tools that can automate or assist in cataloguing, classification, and metadata generation.
The focus is practical and confidence-building: by the end of the session, participants will be able to understand cataloguing workflows, interpret basic classification, and contribute to simple cataloguing tasks in their libraries.
- Define cataloguing and classification.
- Understand the basic concepts of cataloguing and classification, including how detailed records are created and materials are grouped by subject to aid access.
- Recognise the key components of a catalogue record
- Understand how library materials are described and organised
- Identify the standard components in a record
- Use components of a catalogue record to locate and retrieve materials efficiently
- Describe the structure of a basic classification system
- Explain the purpose of a classification system
- Identify examples of basic classification systems
- Understand basic structure of a classification system
- Explain how technology supports cataloguing and classification
- Describe the automation of cataloguing and classification processes
| Category | Full Course Fee | Discounted Course Fee |
| Early Bird Discount for registrations made 1 month before course commencement. | $500.00 | $450.00 |
| (All 3 Modules) | $1500.00 | $1,300.00 |
Terms and Conditions
Payment is non-refundable upon successful registration
Cancellation Fee
| $100 | ≥ 9–14 working days before course start |
| 50% of Course Fee | ≥ 4–8 working days before course start |
| Full Course Fee | ≤ 3 working days before course start / No show |
Rescheduling Fee
| $100 | ≤ 14 working days before course start |
Contact us: enquiry@laas.com.sg