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Careers
Connections
Today, information resources go far beyond the traditional printed word. Electronic databases, the Internet and CD-ROMs join published material and audiovisual resources in an increasingly crowded information environment. It is the library and its staff which form the vital link between the vast body of information and the people who need it. Library staff are knowledge managers in a knowledge hungry universe. Libraries aren’t the only places you’ll find information experts these days. People skilled in information delivery work in all kinds of settings. Their skills in management, communication, organization, systems design and information classification are in demand in fields such as archives, records management and systems analysis. Many graduates adapt their training to successful careers as webmasters, consultants, sales and marketing coordinators or entrepreneurs. Educational programs in library and information sciences produce graduates with varying levels of expertise. The following descriptions outline the positions normally encountered in the library field. Librarians hold a minimum of two post-secondary degrees: an undergraduate degree with a subject specialty and a post-graduate degree in library or information science, or information studies . As information specialists, they understand and are skilled in:
They plan, develop and coordinate all aspects of library and information services. Librarians have the expertise to select, acquire and catalogue a wide range of library materials, including books, journals, government information, audio and video materials as well as electronic information resources. Graduates of library and information studies programs are often at the forefront of developments in information technology. At the management level, they set goals, establish policies, prepare budgets and organize staff to meet the information needs of their organizations. Library Technicians are graduates of a library diploma program offered by a community college or technical institute. Their training prepares them to perform the specialized functions unique to the library or information environment, preparing them to support and assist librarians, coordinate the work of the clerical staff or, under the direction of a librarian, be responsible for a section or department in a larger library. Duties may vary with the type and size of the library but can include: acquiring print and nonprint material, cataloguing and classifying of the materials, producing graphic and display materials and circulation procedures. In a small library, where the foundations of organization and operation are already established, the library technician may serve as the library manager. Library Assistants often hold one or more university degrees with subject specialization outside of the library field. Their role is to assist the professional librarian or information specialist, in tasks such as selection and organization of materials in their subject specialty, as well as assisting library customers with research. Their education gives them subject expertise, familiarity with research techniques and a broad base of knowledge. They build on this academic foundation as they gain library experience. They may also participate in acquisitions and technical services in ordering, processing and cataloguing materials or work in the area of public services to patrons, charging out or receiving materials. Library Clerks perform routine tasks such as shelving books and periodicals, signing out material or maintaining books and equipment. Many clerks use their typing and computer skills to process materials orders and to update library catalogues. They work under the direction of staff trained in the library and information profession. High school graduation is generally required and standard secretarial and computer skills are highly desirable. Teacher Librarians are fully qualified teachers, who typically undertake post-graduate education in library studies. They work in partnership with classroom teachers to provide a wide range of learning resources to students in the elementary and secondary school environments; to plan, teach and evaluate instructional programs; to promote literacy among students ; develop library collections; and supervise support staff. Traditional or Non-Traditional Library Careers Working in a public, academic, school or government library would be considered a traditional library career. Increasingly, however, graduates from library and information science programs are choosing non-traditional paths. This new breed can be found working in publishing or for companies that supply goods and services to libraries. Some become web masters, independent information consultants or start their own information-related business. They may hold management positions in associations or corporate positions like electronic image manager or risk management researcher. The possibilities grow yearly, as emerging information technologies create a need for more information specialists.
Salaries Information about library salaries can be found in the CASLIS ( Canadian Association of Special Libraries and Information Services) Salary Survey, 1998. ISBN 0-88802- 290-5. $52.00. To order the Salary Survey, contact CLA .
Library & Information Science Training Programs
Grant
MacEwan College (Edmonton) Southern
Alberta Institute Of Technology (Calgary) University
Of Alberta (Edmonton)
Langara
College (Vancouver) University
College of the Fraser Valley (Abbotsford) University
of British Columbia (Vancouver)
Red
River Community College (Winnipeg)
Memorial
University of Newfoundland, St. John’s
Dalhousie
University (Halifax) Nova
Scotia Community College (Halifax or Kingstec)
Algonquin College (Nepean) Lakehead
University (Thunder Bay) Mohawk
College of Applied Arts and Technology (Hamilton) Seneca
College of Applied Arts and Technology (Toronto) University
of Toronto University
of Western Ontario (London)
John
Abbott College CEGEP
Lionel Groulx CEGEP
de Jonquière CEGEP
de Trois-Rivières CEGEP
François-Xavier Garneau (Québec) Collège
de l'Outaouais (Hull) Collège
de Maisonneuve (Montréal) McGill
University (Montreal) Université
de Montréal
Saskatchewan
Institute of Applied Sciences and Technology (Saskatoon) |
