How to become a library and public archive technician
Official title: Library and public archive technicians
Also called: Archive assistant, Archive attendant, Archive technician, Library technician, Cataloguing technician, Technical indexer - library, Archival management technician, Archival assistant, High school librarian, Assistant music librarian, Secondary school librarian, Elementary school librarian
Library and public archive technicians assist users in accessing library or archive resources, assist in describing new acquisitions, participate in archive processing and storage, and conduct reference searches. They are employed by libraries and public archives.
Main tasks
- Library technicians
- Assist library users in accessing 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
- Assist librarians in giving tours and providing children's and other specialized library programs
- Public archive technicians
- Assist in developing inventories, forms and finding aids
- Implement and update classification plans and records scheduling and disposal plans
How to become one
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.
Ways in
- University: Science degrees, Offered by 16 universities in Canada
- University: Arts & Humanities degrees, Offered by 18 universities in Canada
- College or CEGEP: College or CEGEP program. 46% of workers hold a college or other non-degree diploma (Census 2021). Common fields: Library and archives assisting; Library science and administration; History.
Pay · Outlook
- Median pay: $54,600 a year The middle half earn $44,850 to $62,400.
- About 7,200 people worked in this job in 2023, and about 7,400 are projected by 2033. (+2.8%)
- Projected labour market to 2033: moderate risk of surplus.
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Questions people ask
How do I become a library and public archive technician?
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.
How much does a library and public archive technician earn in Canada?
Median full-time pay is $54,600 a year (Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank)). The middle half earn $44,850 to $62,400.
Is a library and public archive technician a growing career in Canada?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 3% by 2033, from about 7,200 to about 7,400 people (Employment and Social Development Canada).
Do you need a degree to become a library and public archive technician?
Not always. 42% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Science degrees; Arts & Humanities degrees; College or CEGEP program.
Sources
- Statistics Canada: Census 2021: employment by occupation, gender and education (98-10-0449) (2021 Census), Statistics Canada Open Licence, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Statistics Canada: National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 (Version 1.0), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Employment and Social Development Canada: Canadian Occupational Projection System (COPS) (2024 to 2033), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank): Wages by occupation (2025 (revised 2025-11-19)), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
Updated 2026-10-03