The Library Media Technology program prepares individuals for
employment as paraprofessionals in a public, school, academic or special
library, or in any setting where they may be responsible for the
acquisition, organization and retrieval of information. Students completing
the program will have solid foundations to start careers in the
library or information world, or to advance their careers in the field.
The program offers an associate in arts degree and certificate of
achievement.
What does a Library Technician do?
Library technicians help librarians acquire, prepare, and organize materials
and help users to find those materials. Library technicians usually
work under the supervision of a librarian, although they sometimes
work independently. Technicians in small libraries handle a range of
duties; those in large libraries usually specialize. The duties of technicians
are expanding and evolving as libraries increasingly use the
Internet and other technologies to share Information. Depending on
where they work, library technicians can have other titles, such as
library technical assistant or media aide.
Library technicians direct library users to standard references, organize
and maintain periodicals, prepare volumes for binding, handle interlibrary
loan requests, prepare invoices, perform routine cataloguing and
coding of library materials, retrieve information from computer databases,
and supervise support staff.
Daily tasks for a Library Technician may involve:
• Reserving, circulating, renewing, and discharging books and other materials.
• Entering and updating patrons' records on computers.
• Providing assistance to teachers and students by locating materials and
helping to complete special projects.
• Answering routine reference inquiries, and referring patrons needing further
assistance to librarians.
• Guiding patrons in finding and using library resources, including reference
materials, audiovisual equipment, computers, and electronic resources.
• Training other staff, volunteers or student assistants, and scheduling and
supervising their work.
• Sorting books, publications, and other items according to procedure and
returning them to shelves, files, or other designated storage areas.
• Conducting reference searches, using printed materials and in-house and
online databases.
• Delivering and retrieving items throughout the library by hand or using
pushcart.
• Taking actions to halt disruption of library activities by problem patrons.
Where can I find additional information?
Information on career opportunities for working in a Library or related service can be found at:
American Library Association
Council on Library/Media Technology
O*Net
California Labor Market Information
Job Outlook:
• Between 2004 and 2014, the number of library technicians in the U.S. is
expected to increase by 13.4 percent.
• Much of the work once performed only by librarians with Master’s
degrees is now performed by library technicians.
• 58 percent of librarians in the U.S. are projected to reach the retirement age of 65 between 2005 and 2019; many of the resulting vacancies are likely to be filled by library technicians.
Program Graduates:
Graduates of the program work as library technicians in school libraries
in the area, special libraries (military, film archive), academic libraries of
both 2- and 4-year colleges. Some have earned Master’s degrees in
library and information science and are employed as librarians at public
and academic libraries in the area.
What Library Tech Graduates say about the program at COC:
• “As a library assistant I work side-by-side with librarians. Thanks to
the LMT program my skills are on par with theirs.…I feel I received
an excellent education in my field.”
• “Several courses in the LMT program were of significant help when I
took MLS [Master’s in Library Science] classes. Also the COC LMT
teachers were personally interested in my success and offered their
time & expertise whenever I asked.”
• “The course work provided me with the skills, resources, and confidence
to advance in my career, knowing that I have been taught by
professionals working in the field. …This program not only gave me
a two-year degree; but has provided me with a lifelong network of
library professionals.”
(Note: Comments from the LMTECH Alumni Survey, Spring 2006.)
Want more information?
Please visit www.canyons.edu/lmt.