Library technician programs: skills-oriented paraprofessional education - includes appendix outlining a course of study

In Canada, post-secondary programs have been developed for library technicians, while in the United States they have been developed for library technical assistants (American Library Association, 1997). These programs are recommended for the American college level. As in Canada, local advisory committees consisting of a broad cross section of library employers also are proposed to assist with the direction of the programs. In terms of major subject areas, these include libraries and the information industry, technical services including acquisition and cataloging processes, public services including circulation, information sources and services, and workplace. Computer skills are included throughout the various areas. Within these major subject areas, the attainment of skills is emphasized. For example, the performance objectives as outlined by the American Library Association (1997) for acquisition processes state that students will be able to check for possible duplicates using locally designed catalogs and/or databases; identify bibliographic data for ordering; prepare orders; and claim missing materials (pp. 10-11). A similar emphasis exists for cataloging with such performance objectives as "search for an existing bibliographic record in online, bibliographic utilities"; "match materials to existing bibliographic record" (p. 11). Absent from the education of the library technical assistants are "tasks that require an in-depth knowledge and ability in production of material, equipment maintenance, or programming, to the extent that specialized training at the technician level is required" (p. 3). In comparison to the education of librarians, absent are "tasks that require a full knowledge of librarianship or instructional technology and exercise of judgement based on a broad knowledge of library resources, their intellectual organization or their educational informational, cultural, or scholarly use. Establishment of policies, materials selection, complex information and guidance services, are illustrations" (p. 3).

EDUCATION PROGRAMS IN AUSTRALIA

The early history of education for library technicians in Australia has been documented and compared with that of Canada's (Bowman, 1988; Nettlefold, 1989). Such similarities as the methods of setting standards and the role of advisory committees have been noted. The first book to be written about library technicians in Australia, including many articles written by library technicians, describes the education and the work of library technicians in Australia today (Bailey, 1993). Margaret Hyland and Pamela Naylor's contribution deals specifically with the education of library technicians.

In Australia, library technicians are educated at Technical and Further Education (TAFE) colleges with the exception of one program at Edith Cowan University in Western Australia. These programs are postsecondary two-year full-time or part-time equivalent. Graduates are awarded associate diplomas with names that vary depending on the state where the colleges are located. As in Canada and the United States, programs continue to include courses in the core library-based skill areas and work experience components.