Education

Diploma in Library and Information Studies

The Diploma in Library and Information Studies is a TVET CDACC Level 6 qualification that equips learners with knowledge and skills to collect, organise, store, retrieve, and disseminate information in libraries, archives, records centres, and other information management institutions.

The curriculum covers collection development, record management, ICT theory and practical, preservation and conservation of information, professional ethics, archives management, system analysis and design, library management, publishing and book trade, information in society, organisation and retrieval of information, information retrieval and dissemination, marketing of information services, digital library systems, legal aspects of information, and research methods.

The programme is accredited by TVET CDACC under the Library and Information Management Level 6 qualification and examined by KNEC in most institutions.

Training combines classroom theory with practical sessions in library operations, cataloguing, classification, and digital information systems. Trainees work with library management software, databases, and digital repositories.

Graduates find employment in school and academic libraries, public libraries, government ministries and departments, research organisations, NGOs, media and cultural centres, archives, documentation centres, and corporate registries.

The programme suits KCSE graduates with a mean grade of C- who have an interest in information management, research, and knowledge organisation. It provides a progression pathway to degree programmes in Library and Information Science, Archives and Records Management, or Information Science.

Duration: 2-3 years
Public, up to: Ksh 107,000
Job market: Moderate

The programme

What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time
Attachment: 3 months
Average class: 30 students
Award: Diploma

What you study

10 subjects

Collection Development
Record Management
Preservation and Conservation of Information
Archives Management
Library Management
Organisation and Retrieval of Information
Information Retrieval and Dissemination
Digital Library Systems
Publishing and Book Trade
Marketing of Information Services

Modules

12 in the programme

ICT Theory and Practical
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Computer applications in library and information management, databases for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Record Management
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Records lifecycle management, filing systems, and records retention policies for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Collection Development
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Principles of building and managing library collections including selection for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Preservation and Conservation of Information
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Techniques for preserving physical and digital information resources for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Library Management
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Management principles applied to library operations, staff management for professional practice and competency development in the field.
System Analysis and Design
Year 2Semester 13 creditsElective
Analysis and design of information systems for library and information for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Archives Management
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Archival principles, appraisal, arrangement, description, and access to for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Organisation and Retrieval of Information
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Cataloguing, classification systems (DDC, LCC), subject analysis, and indexing for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Industrial Attachment
Year 2Semester 26 creditsCore
Three-month industry placement in a library, archive, or records management for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Information Retrieval and Dissemination
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Information search strategies, reference services, and current awareness for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Publishing and Book Trade
Year 2Semester 23 creditsElective
Publishing industry, book trade, and the role of publishers in information for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Digital Library Systems
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Digital library platforms, institutional repositories, and digital for professional practice and competency development in the field.

Specialisations

Library Management
Focuses on library administration, collection management, and user services, with emphasis on practical application in Kenyan industry contexts and compliance with relevant national standards and regulatory requirements.
Archives and Records Management
Focuses on archival science, records lifecycle management, and preservation techniques, with emphasis on practical application in Kenyan industry contexts and compliance with relevant national standards and regulatory requirements.
Digital Information Systems
Focuses on digital libraries, institutional repositories, and ICT applications in information management, with emphasis on practical application in Kenyan industry contexts and compliance with relevant national standards and regulatory requirements.
Information Marketing and Dissemination
Focuses on marketing library services, user outreach, and current awareness services, with emphasis on practical application in Kenyan industry contexts and compliance with relevant national standards and regulatory requirements.

A day as a student

A typical day begins at 8:00 AM with a theory session on collection development or information organisation, followed by a practical session in the library using cataloguing and classification systems. Afternoons often involve ICT practicals with library management software, digital repository setup, or research methods workshops. Industrial attachment places students in academic or public libraries for hands-on experience in library operations and user services.

The trade offs

In its favour

Every educational institution, government ministry, and large organisation needs information management professionals
Clear progression pathway to degree programmes in Library and Information Science
Digital transformation creates new opportunities in digital libraries and information systems

Against it

Entry-level positions may have limited vacancies in some regions
Salaries in public libraries and schools can be modest compared to corporate sectors

What it costs

Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.

What it costs, and where

Against 243 education courses

Public54k to 107k

54k at Kisii University107k at Laikipia University

Annual tuition in Kenyan shillings, rounded. The upright tick is the median for this field, so a bar sitting entirely to its right is an expensive programme by the standards of its own subject.

The fine print

Kisii 54K, TUM 72K, Laikipia 107K/yr (victormatara.com, tum.ac.ke). Private: unverified.

HELB offers loans and bursaries for TVET students. County government bursaries and NG-CDF funds are widely available. Some universities offer partial scholarships for diploma students with strong academic performance.

Funding options

HELB TVET Loan and Bursary
County Government Bursaries
NG-CDF Constituency Bursary

Scholarships

2 recorded

HELB TVET/Diploma Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
All TVET students enrolled in KUCCPS-placed programmes
NG-CDF Bursary
BursaryKsh 15,000Kenyan
Constituency-based bursary for needy students

Getting in

The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C-
Alternative entry: Certificate in Library and Information Studies, or Level 5 certificate in a related course with one year of continuous work experience, or equivalent qualification as determined by KNEC.

How you are assessed

3 components

Continuous Assessment Tests
Coursework30% of the mark
Internal assessments including theory tests, practical cataloguing exercises, and project work
KNEC End-of-Module Examinations
Examination70% of the mark
National examinations at the end of each module covering theory and practical components
Industrial Attachment Assessment
Practical100% of the mark
Assessment of performance during three-month industry placement

Accreditation

Accredited by TVET CDACC (Library and Information Management Level 6) and regulated by TVETA. Most institutions offer the KNEC-examined variant. The programme aligns with the Kenya National Qualifications Framework (KNQF) Level 6.

Accredited by

Technical and Vocational Education and Training Curriculum Development, Assessment and Certification Council
Curriculum and certificationRequired
Library and Information Management Level 6
Kenya National Examinations Council
ExaminationRequired
Primary examination body for most institutions offering this diploma
Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority
Institutional regulationRequired

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

5 roles

Library Assistant
Moderate demandKsh 25,000 to Ksh 40,000
Assists in library operations including circulation, shelving, and user services
Assistant Librarian
Moderate demandKsh 30,000 to Ksh 55,000
Supports professional librarians in cataloguing, reference services, and collection management
Archives Assistant
Moderate demandKsh 28,000 to Ksh 50,000
Assists in organising, preserving, and providing access to archival materials
Records Manager
High demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 70,000
Manages organisational records, implements retention policies, and ensures compliance
Information Officer
Moderate demandKsh 32,000 to Ksh 60,000
Manages information resources, provides research support, and maintains digital repositories

Graduate outcomes

Graduates find employment in libraries, archives, records centres, and information management departments. Entry-level salaries range from KSH 25,000 to KSH 45,000 per month, with experienced librarians and records managers earning KSH 45,000 to KSH 80,000+ per month.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Dewey Decimal Classification (DDC)
Classification systemPrimary
Standard library classification system used for organising print collections
Microsoft Office Suite
SoftwarePrimary
Essential for record keeping, correspondence, and report generation
Dspace / EPrints
Software
Institutional repository software for digital collections and scholarly publications
Library Management Systems (Koha, Evergreen)
SoftwarePrimary
Open-source integrated library systems for cataloguing, circulation, and OPAC

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Library studies is only about shelving books
The diploma covers digital libraries, information systems, archives management, records management, publishing, and legal aspects of information, preparing graduates for diverse information management roles.
Libraries are becoming obsolete in the digital age
Libraries are evolving into digital information centres. The growing need for organised information management in government, academia, and corporate sectors creates sustained demand for qualified information professionals.