Saskatchewan JobFutures

Nature of Work

Professionals in this occupational group perform a variety of technical duties related to the acquisition, classification, cataloguing and referencing of documents, artifacts and other materials in libraries, archives, museums and galleries. This group also includes individuals who construct and install exhibits and displays; restore, maintain and store museum and gallery collections; frame artwork; conduct guided tours; and perform other functions in support of curatorial and conservation activities.

Nature of Work

Professionals in this occupational group perform a variety of technical duties related to the acquisition, classification, cataloguing and referencing of documents, artifacts and other materials in libraries, archives, museums and galleries. This group also includes individuals who construct and install exhibits and displays; restore, maintain and store museum and gallery collections; frame artwork; conduct guided tours; and perform other functions in support of curatorial and conservation activities.

Duties

Library and archive technicians and assistants may specialize in a specific area of collection. However, most technicians and assistants in this field of work perform similar general duties. These duties include helping library or archive users access books, films, photographs, maps, documents and other library materials or archival records. Others duties in this field include cataloguing new library or archive materials under the direction of a librarian or archivist, receiving library or archive books and other materials, and issuing library books and other materials into circulation.

Recent advancement in information technology has changed the nature of library and archive work. Some technicians and assistants, particularly those working in larger facilities, perform on-line reference searches. Individuals without access to on-line services continue to perform manual searches and make interlibrary loans for users via mail or telephone. Many technicians and assistants in this area assist librarians in giving tours and providing children's and other specialized programs. They also assist archivists arrange for safe storage of historical records and documents.

Conservation and restoration technicians assist conservators to preserve and restore artifacts under the direction of a conservator.

Curatorial assistants help research, handle and store artifacts.

Museum guides and interpreters conduct tours of museum and gallery exhibitions and displays, answer inquiries and provide information concerning exhibits.

Museum extension officers assist with the planning and development of travelling exhibitions and special events.

Museum registrars and cataloguers classify and assign registration numbers to artifacts and supervise inventory control.

Preparators construct displays and dioramas, build models, install artifacts in displays and prepare artifacts for storage and shipping.

Picture framers fabricate custom frames, measure and cut mats, mat enhancements and glass, and mount paintings, photographs and other art work.

Taxidermists prepare and mount skins of birds or animals for preservation or for scientific or display purposes.

Example Titles

Library and Archive Technicians and Assistants:

• library assistant
• library technician
• archive assistant
• circulation assistant
• reference assistant

Technical Occupations Related to Museums and Galleries:

• museum technician
• museum interpreter
• museum guide
• preparator
• taxidermist
• museum registrar
• restoration technician
• museum cataloguer
• curatorial assistant
• picture framer
• conservation technician
• museum extension officer

Training Paths

Individuals interested in a career in one of these fields of work may wish to earn a degree in a social science discipline. A variety of Bachelor's and Master's degree programs in Economics, Psychology, and Sociology are available at the University of Saskatchewan, University of Regina and First Nations University of Canada. In addition, SIAST offers a Library and Information Technology program. None of Saskatchewan's universities offer degree programs in Museum Studies/Technology or Art Conservation. However, University of Regina and University of Saskatchewan offer a related degree program in Art History; University of Regina through the Faculty of Fine Arts and University of Saskatchewan through the College of Arts and Science. For certain jobs in this field, training is available in the workplace.

Trends and Outlooks

The employment prospects for this occupation are: limited

The number of technicians, assistants and related workers in libraries, archives, museums and galleries increased by 7% between 2000 and 2005. This increase followed several years of ever more rapid growth in these occupations. Whether or not this upward trend continues at this rate, numerous employment opportunities will result from attrition in the next few years. For starters, this remains a large occupational group in Saskatchewan, with more than 1000 employed in 2005. Further, this is an aging work force. In 2006, over 50% of all technicians, assistants and related workers in libraries, archives, museums and galleries were at least 45 years of age. As older workers retire, replacement workers will be needed to fill positions left open, particularly in the educational services and information, culture and recreation industries.

Workers in this occupational group are not highly paid in Saskatchewan. In 2005, the average full-time income in these fields of work was $30,000 per year. This marks a slight increase from 2000 but remains well below the average provincial full-time income for all occupations that same year ($42,300 per year). There is a wide range of incomes in these fields. Technicians and assistants in occupations related to museums and galleries--on average the lowest paid workers in this occupational group--earned as much as $77,300 and as little as $22,000 in 2005. Annual incomes for library and archive technicians and assistants--among the highest paid artists in the province--ranged from $11,200 to $40,200 that same year. Incomes in these fields are generally higher in and around Regina and Saskatoon than elsewhere in the province.

Just 39% of all technicians, assistants and related workers in this group worked full time year round in 2005. While not unheard of, self-employment is rare among these workers. Eighty-two percent of all Saskatchewan jobs in these fields of work were filled by women in 2006. Sixty percent of all technicians, assistants and related workers in libraries, archives, museums and galleries in the province worked in or around Regina or Saskatoon in 2006. Work in these fields is not seasonal and not very sensitive to overall economic conditions.

The prevalence of the Internet and other technologies has compelled libraries and archives to change the way they provide services to the public. In the future, these institutions will be far more reliant on computerized cataloguing and data retrieval systems. Library and archival technicians who are experienced with these and other new technologies may have an advantage over others seeking employment in these fields of work.

Professional Associations

Related Occupations

Library and Archive Technicians and Assistants:

• Archivists (5113)
• Librarians (5111)
• Library Clerks (1451)

Technical Occupations Related to Museums and Galleries:

• Assistant curators (in 5112 Conservators and Curators)
• Museum exhibit designers (in 5243 Theatre, Fashion, Exhibit and Other Creative Designers)