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The iSchool Institute: Faculty of Information, University of Toronto

“Improving Information Practitioners”

SLA Distance Learning

Welcome SLA members!
The iSchool Institute (PLC), Faculty of Information at the University of Toronto is pleased to announce its partnership with Click University of the Special Libraries Association to deliver relevant and quality professional development opportunities to the SLA members.

The ISI is dedicated to meeting the needs of information professionals. Our courses are practical, interactive and held to the University's high academic standards, taught by instructors who are recognized leaders in their fields. The courses are constantly evolving to ensure that they reflect the competency demands of today's information environment.

Our web courses are delivered entirely over the Internet. There is no need to interrupt your busy schedule to attend classes – you participate on your own time, at your own pace.

All web courses are led by an instructor, with the exception of the Taxonomy Guide which is a self-study course. For instructor-led courses, an email each Monday introduces the topic for the week. Material about the topic, pointers to important sites, and short assignments are provided at the website. Students work with the lessons and then submit their assignments for discussion with the instructors and other students. There are also scheduled live-chat sessions. Students receive individual attention from the instructors. Please allow between 3 - 8 hours each week to comfortably cover the material.

Course Requirements

Web-based courses are modular in structure and learning builds on the lessons in the previous module. For this reason it is essential that assignments be completed in sequence and no later than one week (Sunday to Sunday) after being assigned. Students may request an extension from their instructor for medical or other valid reasons.

Computer Requirements

  • Computer with Internet connection and a personal email account accessible from any location - home, office, internet cafe.
  • Windows: Windows: XP, Vista or Windows 7 with browsers Microsoft Internet Explorer 7.0 or 8.0, or Firefox 3.5 or 3.6.
    Apple: Mac OS 10.5 and higher using Safari 3.2 or 4, or Firefox 3.5 or 3.6.
  • Certain courses ask you to join in online chat sessions for which you'll need to be able to access the chat server.
    Details will be provided in the course.
  • Most courses involve downloading and reading documents in MS Word 2007 and Adobe PDF.

How to Register

As a member of SLA you are entitled to an 11% discount on all ISI online courses. We are working on a secure connection with ClickUniversity that will allow current SLA members to receive this discount immediately - as part of the registration process. Until this is in place, please follow these instructions how to register and receive your SLA membership discount.

Credit Card Payments

Select the course and proceed with our registration process – payment will be in full. Please provide us with your SLA membership number - by e-mail, phone or fax. Once your membership is verified by SLA, we will credit your card with the difference - IMMEDIATELY.

Cheque Payments

Mail your payment, together with a photocopy of your current SLA membership card at the SLA discounted rate listed below.

Choose from our online courses listed below:

  • Freedom of Information and Privacy Protection
    Our six week course is filled with practical management techniques for the "solo" librarian or information service professional.
  • Engaging Adult Learners: Strategies for Information Professionals
    In this course students learn how to assess the needs and how to best implement effective training for their organization Six weeks.
  • Introduction to Records and Information Management
    This eight week course is a basic introduction to the field of records management. It will appeal to individuals just setting out in records management as well as those looking for a refresher course.
  • Legal Research on the Web
    Don't miss the opportunity to learn from this instructor led web course. Register early as this course continuously reaches its full capacity quickly. Seven weeks.
  • Mastering Web Searching
    The tours, exercises and assignments in this seven week course along with tutoring from the instructor will give you the hands-on experience you need to search the Web more effectively.
  • Records Management Practice
    This program expands upon the material covered in the Fundamentals certificate. It is directed towards individuals who have either completed the Fundamentals or who have worked at the Records Technician or Analist level within the Records Management field.

If you have any questions call (416) 978 7111 or email for assistance