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

Accreditation

Program accreditation has long been established for master's level programs in librarianship. In Canada, all graduate programs are accredited by the ALA. There are some differences in the accreditation of Canadian programs, but the process is basically the same as for American programs. There is no equivalent process for library technician programs. As referred to earlier, there are guidelines coveting program content, teaching methods, etc. While there is no official requirement for programs to follow the guidelines, there is general acceptance of the guidelines with Canadian colleges following them to a high degree. There is provision for a review process that is akin to accreditation but is not accreditation per se.

The Canadian Library Association has made several attempts to begin the process of program accreditation in Canada. In the early days when programs were new and not yet firmly established in the world of librarianship, there were regular program reviews with teams going from college to college and publishing the findings in Feliciter. A survey of programs was conducted in 1984, and a summary of results was published ("Library Technicians Tackle Education and Employment," 1987). Also published was a self-study questionnaire that was designed as a preliminary for professional review and was intended to be used as part of any program review process (Canadian Library Association, 1991). While the intention was that this review turn into accreditation, it has not yet occurred.

Ontario colleges regularly review their programs, including library technician programs; most require a formal review every few years. External reviews are not generally popular at higher administrative levels, where it is sometimes perceived as bureaucratic and suggestive of outside interference. Consequently, internal reviews are prevalent.

Although there are definite benefits that would come from a full accreditation, it is a very labor-intensive and time-consuming process. Since most of the programs in Canada have only two or three full-time faculty, the process is onerous. However, most of the programs adhere quite faithfully to the CLA guidelines (Canadian Library Association, 1991).

Certification

Just as programs may or may not be accredited, individuals may or may not be certified. Librarians are not certified in any part of Canada except Quebec. Library technicians are not certified at all. There has been a great deal of interest in the process by library associations.

COLT has recently published a position paper (http://lib-www.ucr.edu/COLT/coltcert.html) promoting a consistent "national skill/ standards certification program for library/media technicians and other support staff" (p. 2). Successful examination results would provide individuals with "portable credentials that will reflect their competencies and that will qualify them for many selective positions" (p. 2).

The Ontario Library Association has struck committees several times to examine certification for both librarians and library technicians. The idea has not yet come to fruition and is currently stalled.