Library and Public Archive Technicians
(NOC 5211)
in All Art, Culture, Recreation and SportLibrary and public archive technicians help users access library or archive resources, help describe new acquisitions, participate in archive processing and storage, and conduct reference searches. They work for libraries, public archives, and schools.
Job Outlook
Undetermined
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Compared to: All Art, Culture, Recreation and Sport
This is not a large occupation in Nova Scotia so job opportunities may not be that frequent. With a large percent of workers being 55 years of age and older, retirements are expected to be a key contributor to employment opportunities over the coming years. Library and Public Archive Technicians may either be working full-time or part-time hours.
The median employment income for 35% of Library and Public Archive Technicians who worked full-time, year-round in 2015 was $38,152. Across all occupations in Nova Scotia, 59% of those who worked full-time year round had a median employment income of $43,600.
(Source: 2016 Census)
Hourly Pay
$15.00
Minimum$23.50
Median$30.22
MaximumAnnual Pay
$10,102
Minimum$33,816
Median$45,992
MaximumCompared to: All Art, Culture, Recreation and Sport
Hourly Pay
$12.55
Minimum$24.73
Median$36.29
MaximumAnnual Pay
$945
Minimum$11,712
Median$60,447
MaximumAbout the job
Nature of work
Library and public archive technicians help users access library or archive resources, help describe new acquisitions, participate in archive processing and storage, and conduct reference searches. They work for libraries, public archives, and schools.
Job duties
Library technicians:
- Help library users access books, films, photographs, maps, documents, electronic materials, and other library materials.
- Catalogue new library acquisitions under the direction of a librarian.
- Perform manual and on-line reference searches and make interlibrary loans for users.
- Help librarians give tours and provide children's and other specialized library programs.
Public archive technicians:
- Help develop inventories, forms, and finding aids.
- Implement and update classification plans and records scheduling and disposal plans.
- Apply standards and policies for storage of records and archival materials.
- Codify and classify archival materials.
- Put archival materials on microfilm or in databases.
- Transfer materials from current to semi-current status or put into permanent storage.
- Purge, sort, reduce and sample archives.
- Research and retrieve archival materials.
- Participate in instructing and helping users.
- Make sure that proper procedures are followed in the use of computerized document management systems.
Sample job titles
- archival management technician
- archive assistant
- archive technician
- assistant music librarian
- cataloguing technician
- library support specialist
- library technician
- school librarian
- technical indexer - library
Skills
You should be patient and organized, and have good research skills. Both oral and written communication skills are essential. You must be able to work unsupervised with library or museum users, and cooperate with co-workers. Good computer skills and knowledge about audiovisual equipment are strongly recommended. Knowledge of literature is also an asset.
Job requirements
- Library technicians usually require completion of a two- to three-year college program in library and information technology.
- Public archive technicians require completion of a college diploma or certificate program in archive and document management technology.
Other considerations
Weekend and evening shifts may be required.
By the numbers
Quick look
employed in 2016
employed full-time
self employed
median age
Compared to: All Art, Culture, Recreation and Sport
employed in 2016
employed full-time
self employed
median age
Where will I likely work?
Halifax
Southern
North Shore
Cape Breton
Annapolis Valley
Compared to: All NS Occupations
Halifax
North Shore
Annapolis Valley
Cape Breton
Southern
Top Industries of Employment
Educational services
Information and cultural industries
Health care and social assistance
What is the age of Employment?
55-64
45-54
25-34
35-44
15-24
65+
Compared to: All Art, Culture, Recreation and Sport
15-24
35-44
45-54
25-34
55-64
Top levels of education
College Diploma
$35,018 median annual incomeBachelor
$35,537 median annual incomeMaster
$36,157 median annual incomeHigh school
$23,853 median annual incomeTrade Certification
N/ACompared to: All Art, Culture, Recreation and Sport
Bachelor
$17,829 median annual incomeHigh school
$7,552 median annual incomeCollege Diploma
$22,120 median annual incomeLess than high school
$2,922 median annual incomeMaster
$36,173 median annual incomeEducation & training
Library Assistant/Technician
College or Trades ProgramThese programs prepare individuals to assist professional librarians. They include courses in principles, systems, processes, and procedures of library operation, library resources and services, processes of acquisition, cataloguing, storage, and display systems, discovery and retrieval of requested materials, management of books, periodicals, and other documents.
Institutions providing this program
Library Science/Librarianship
University ProgramThese programs focus on the knowledge and skills required to develop, organize, store, retrieve, administer, and facilitate the use of local, remote, and networked collections of information in print, audiovisual, and electronic formats and that prepares individuals for professional service as librarians and information consultants.
Institutions providing this program
Employment requirements & contacts
No regulating bodies were found under this occupation profile
Contacts
Additional resources
There are no additional resources for this occupation.