Today’s library technologist is tech-savvy, socially engaged and passionate about life-long learning. It’s a great career for anyone interested in literacy, learning and innovation.
Library techs are in demand—because libraries have become the go-to place for everything from traditional books to e-books, multi-media and online resources.
Saskatchewan Polytechnic's two-year Library and Information Technology diploma program has been developed in accordance with the Canadian Library Association Guidelines to address ongoing advances in technology and changing library user needs. Offered at our Saskatoon campus, the program prepares you to support librarians in any type of library—or to manage day-to-day operations on your own in a small library.
You’ll take a variety of introductory academic courses to familiarize yourself with a wide variety of subjects, from world history to literature. You’ll discuss the impact of new technologies, the political and economic factors impacting information sharing, the benefits and risks of digital storage, and more. Through lectures, labs and hands-on projects, you’ll develop knowledge and skills in:
acquisitions, circulation and interlibrary loans
archives and records management
computer-based and traditional library management
database searching and reference research
descriptive and subject cataloguing
programming and public relations
reader assistance
website design and social media
Your Career
The potential job market for library technologists is bigger and broader than many know. There are career opportunities in municipal public libraries, regional public libraries, northern libraries and the Saskatchewan Provincial Library. There are also jobs in university, polytechnical and regional colleges, public and separate school divisions, health regions, government departments, archives, research centres and private businesses.
You could work on the front line helping library users or behind the scenes in a technical capacity. Although a diploma does not qualify you as a librarian, it does open doors to working in supervisory or managerial roles in library service units or small libraries.