Nicola Valley Institute of Technology (NVIT) is a unique public post-secondary institution. It’s governed by First Nations, and its educational programs and services are reflective of Aboriginal perspectives, values and beliefs. NVIT is also e-HLbc’s newest affiliate member.

As a relatively new institute, NVIT doesn’t have the same library resources as schools that have had decades to amass collections.  “NVIT is a small institution with a small library,” says Marti Harder, NVIT Health Care Coordinator.

NVIT offers diverse range of courses and programs relevant to Aboriginal communities and includes adult basic education, vocational, trades, apprenticeships, academic and university transfer, collaborative degrees, community education, and continuing studies. Considering the range of academic programs offered, making easy online access to comprehensive resources available to students and faculty members is important.

According to Marti, healthcare programs at NVIT are expanding rapidly. The Home Support/Resident Care Attendant program began in the fall of 2009 and the first Access to Practical Nursing program (APN) course will start in March. The APN program will prepare resident care attendants and home support workers for work in acute care hospital areas, continuing care facilities or community facilities with a practical nursing certificate. Focusing on health promotion and prevention, APN students will be trained in effective communication skills, nursing, and health and healing within the context of the community.

“Students in the APN program will be required to research health related topics extensively and e-HLbc will provide us with many valuable resources.”

e-HLbc gives easy access to online health library resources and includes subjects including medicine, nursing, life sciences, dentistry, the health care system.

“Having the electronic resource is very valuable to us. This resource provides a wealth of information available to faculty and students, both for research papers and for teaching purposes. We welcome its addition into our library!”

For more information on NVIT, visit www.nvit.ca.