National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2011

521 - Technical occupations in libraries, public archives, museums and art galleries

5211 - Library and public archive technicians

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.

• Illustrative example(s)

  • archive technician
  • elementary school librarian
  • high school librarian
  • library technician
  • secondary school librarian
  • technical indexer - library

  All examples

• Exclusion(s)

  • Archivists (5113)
  • Librarians (5111)
  • Library assistants and clerks (1451)
  • Records management technicians (1253)

• Main duties

  Library technicians perform some or all of the following duties:

  • 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 perform some or all of the following duties:

  • Assist in developing inventories, forms and finding aids
  • Implement and update classification plans and records scheduling and disposal plans
  • Apply standards and policies for storage of records and archival materials
  • Codify and classify archival materials
  • Put archival materials on microfilm or in databases
  • Transfer materials from current to semi-current status or put into permanent storage
  • Purge, sort, reduce and sample archives
  • Research and retrieve archival materials
  • Participate in instructing and assisting users
  • Ensure that proper procedures are followed in the use of computerized document management systems.

• Employment requirements

  • 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.

5212 - Technical occupations related to museums and art galleries

This unit group includes workers who classify and catalogue museum artifacts and gallery works of art, construct and install exhibits and displays, restore, maintain and store museum and gallery collections, frame artwork, and perform other functions in support of curatorial and conservation activities. They are employed in museums and galleries. Picture framers and taxidermists may also be employed in retail settings or may be self-employed. This unit group also includes museum and other interpreters who conduct guided tours. They are employed by art galleries, museums, parks, aquariums, zoos, interpretive centres, botanical gardens, cultural centres, nature sanctuaries, historic and heritage sites, and other locations.

• Illustrative example(s)

  • art gallery preparator
  • conservation technician - museums and art galleries
  • curatorial assistant
  • heritage interpreter
  • museology technician
  • museum extension officer
  • museum interpreter
  • museum objects cataloguer
  • museum registrar
  • museum technician
  • paintings restoration technician
  • picture framer - museum and art gallery
  • restoration technician - museum
  • taxidermist

  All examples

• Exclusion(s)

  • Assistant curators (See 5112 Conservators and curators)
  • Museum exhibit designers (See 5243 Theatre, fashion, exhibit and other creative designers)
  • Tour and travel guides (6531)

• Main duties

  The following is a summary of main duties for some occupations in this unit group:

  • Conservation and restoration technicians assist in the restoration and conservation of artifacts under the direction of a conservator.
  • Curatorial assistants assist in the research, handling and storage of artifacts.
  • Museum interpreters conduct tours of museums, gallery exhibitions and historical, heritage and other sites, answer inquiries and provide information concerning exhibits or sites.
  • Museum extension officers assist with the planning and development of travelling exhibitions and special events.
  • Museology technicians protect and care for cultural artifacts and collections during exhibitions, while in transit and in storage.
  • 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, scientific or display purposes.

  Technical museum and gallery workers may specialize in a specific type of collection.

• Employment requirements

  • Registrars, cataloguers and interpreters may require a university degree in a field related to museum and gallery work.
  • For other occupations in this unit group, completion of a college program in museum technology or conservation technology
    or
    Other technical or on-the-job training programs related to the work are required.

• Additional information

  • Museum interpreters may require specific scientific or academic credentials for employment by some museums, nature centres or other sites.