Technical Services and the 8Rs Canadian Library Human Resource Study Allison Sivak Canadian Library Association May 23, 2007
Previous Research Wilder (2002) noted: hires for tech services jobs in ARL libraries dropped 46%, 23% of all hires in 1985 10% of all hires in 2000 1980: 36% of new professionals filled tech services positions 2000: 12% Compared to 40% of new profs filling public services positions Wilder suggests: fundamental shift in staffing priorities of academic libraries away from professional tech services / cataloguing
Deeker (2006) hypothesed: The negative trend in demand for technical services jobs had reversed. There is a marked increase in the demand for computer skills. Conclusion: not able to meaningfully measure Entry-level technical services jobs are rare. 22.6% of postings neither required / preferred experience Technical services jobs are hard to fill. More reposts More ads for temporary / part time positions Fewer ads requiring MLIS Found more reposts only
Methods Individual Survey Librarians (n=539) Library Technicians (n=377) Selected those who agree they “frequently” perform activities of Cataloguing, database management and organization of information resources; metadata schemes; OPACs
Length of Time in Career Librarians New entrants: 22% Mid-career: 27% Senior: 51% Library Technicians New entrants: 20% Mid-career: 34% Senior: 46%
Career Level
Job Functions: Technical Services
Job Functions: Collections
Job Functions: Public Service and Outreach
Job Functions: IT
Job Functions: Administration and Management
Job Functions: Professional Development / Participation
Staff Job Values and Job Opportunities to Exercise Values
Librarians agreeing their education, training, skills, and experience that: Allows them to perform at their jobs: 82% Makes them overqualified for job: 21% Qualified to move into a higher level: 65%
Librarians’ Training & Career Interests Interested in training for: Technology skills: 70% Management skills: 53% Business skills: 39% Interested in more resp position: 41% Agreeing organization provides “adequate” training opps: 51%
MLIS Assessment New professionals who agree MLIS program provided them with the necessary skills in areas of: General: 64% Problem-solving: 50% IT: 23% Management: 19% Leadership: 12% Business: 54%
MLIS Assessment New professionals agreeing MLIS provided them with a realistic picture of: Library work: 49% Library work in my sector: 37%
“Compared to 5 Years Ago, My Job is Currently More…”
Summary Variety of job functions of librarians and technicians: tech services, collection development / management, adult services, liaison, database maintenance, administration and management Most overlap between librarians and technicians in areas of: Cataloguing, database mgmt, org of info resources, metadata schemes, OPACs Creation and maintenance of bibliographic records Collection development, evaluation and management Adult services Library systems, hardware, software support
Staff Workplace Values Librarians value: use of IT skills new project opportunities professional development variety in work participation in larger decision-making dynamic and changing environment challenging work respect low stress adequate work-life balance Technicians value: use of IT skills professional development variety in work participation in larger decision-making dynamic and changing environment challenging work
Workplace Values Closest Matches Librarians IT skills Task variety New project opportunities Performing leadership role Dynamic & changing environment Fair and equitable treatment Good relationship w/ para staff Library Technicians IT skills Task variety Supervising others Motivating others Managing service / dept Leadership role opportunities Equitable treatment
Gaps in Values and Workplace / Position Provision Librarians’ largest gaps: supervision larger decision-making manageable workload stress salary respect Technicians’ largest gaps: ability to grow & learn new skills larger decision-making manageable workload salary respect
Questions?