Library technicians are employed by:
- Public libraries
- Public and private schools
- College, research and university libraries
- Not-for-profit organizations
- Information brokerage firms
- Library software production companies
- Book, periodical and publishing firms
- Records management departments in large organizations
- Bookstores
Experienced library technicians may advance to supervisory positions or assume responsibility for the operations of established libraries. However, other advancement opportunities are limited. Canadian universities do not recognize library technician programs and courses for transfer credit to master's programs in library science.
Library technicians are part of the larger 2011 National Occupational Classification 5211: Library and archive technicians and assistants. In Alberta, 92% of people employed in this classification work in the following industries:
The employment outlook [pdf] in this occupation will be influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
- Trends and events affecting overall employment (especially in the industries listed above)
- Location in Alberta
- Employment turnover (when people leave existing positions)
- Occupational growth (when new positions are created)
- Size of the occupation
In Alberta, the 5211: Library and public archive technicians occupational group is expected to have a below-average annual growth of 0% from 2019 to 2023. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 0 new positions are forecasted to be created within this occupational group each year.
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.