The Bachelor of Information Technology – Information Resource Management (BIT-IRM) is a fully integrated joint program offered collaboratively by Carleton University and Algonquin College. Students attend both Carleton and Algonquin on a weekly basis in each of the program’s four years, experiencing theory at Carleton and reinforcing the theory with practical skills provided at Algonquin.  At Carleton, students benefit from the expertise of highly trained faculty engaged in advanced research projects, and modern facilities including a dedicated computer lab for IRM students in a new building and dedicated group study rooms in MacOdrum Library’s new Discovery Centre. Students also have the opportunity to work on practicums and senior research projects with professional librarians and paraprofessional staff at the Library.

The IRM program provides a carefully designed multidisciplinary curriculum which covers both mainstream library science/information management and information technology in order to develop a skillset in demand by employers. Library science and information management are covered by courses in cataloguing and metadata, collections management, subject analysis and indexing, and reference services.  The program also offers substantial coverage of information technology to reflect the requirements of the modern information economy, including courses in web interface development, programming, database theory and development and network technology. In addition, students take courses delivered by Carleton departments outside the School of Information Technology, including courses in statistics taught by faculty from the School of Mathematics and Statistics, communication skills taught by faculty from the School of Linguistics and Language Studies and business courses taught by faculty in the Sprott School of Business.  Finally, the program includes a four-credit Minor requirement intended to provide a subject-area specialty for graduates of the BIT-IRM program.

The BIT-IRM is a unique program in Canada that fills a need in the education and labour markets. There are four library technician programs in Ontario and 17 across Canada. None offers the opportunity for a combined degree and diploma in four years; none emphasizes the management of digital information resources including research data; and none offers the extensive practicum and experiential learning opportunities that are a feature of this program. University programs in the related fields of librarianship and information management occur only at the graduate level. Consultations with major government and other employers in the National Capital Region indicate strong support for this program as well as the potential for co-op and practicum placements.

The BIT-IRM program builds on the success of three other joint BIT programs currently offered collaboratively by Carleton and Algonquin: Interactive Multimedia and Design; Network Technology; and Photonics and Laser Technology. Graduates from the program will be awarded a Bachelor of Information Technology degree from Carleton and the Library and Information Technician (LIT) diploma from Algonquin. Graduates will thus obtain in four years two credentials that would otherwise take six years. In the four years that students engage in the program, they are considered students of both institutions and enjoy full rights on both campuses.