Saskatchewan JobFutures

Nature of Work

Professionals in this occupational group perform a variety of duties related to the organization, restoration, conservation and storage of documents, art work, maps, furniture and other artifacts and material. They are employed in libraries, museums, galleries, archives and government departments. They may also work as research and information officers for organizations or businesses or may be self-employed.

Nature of Work

Professionals in this occupational group perform a variety of duties related to the organization, restoration, conservation and storage of documents, art work, maps, furniture and other artifacts and material. They are employed in libraries, museums, galleries, archives and government departments. They may also work as research and information officers for organizations or businesses or may be self-employed.

Duties

Librarians develop, organize and maintain library collections and provide advisory services for users. This work involves recommending the acquisition of books, periodicals, audio-visual and other materials for inclusion in a library collection; classifying and cataloguing library materials; and preparing bibliographies, indexes, reading lists, guides and other finding aids. Librarians also develop systems to access library collections, perform manual and on-line reference searches, make interlibrary loans, and perform other functions to assist users in accessing library materials.

Other library duties include providing specialized programs, such as storyline reading for children; conducting library information and orientation training sessions; and supervising library technicians, assistants and clerks. Librarians are employed in libraries or in a department within a library.

Conservators restore and conserve paintings, photographs, sculptures, furniture, pottery and other museum and art gallery artifacts. They also examine artifacts using various scientific techniques. Such examination enables conservators to determine the most appropriate methods of restoration. Other duties in this field include providing consultation to museums, art galleries or private individuals and providing advice on the display and storage of museum and gallery artifacts to ensure proper maintenance and preservation. Some conservators supervise conservation technicians and other museum technicians.

Curators recommend the acquisition of paintings, photographs, sculptures, documents and museum and art gallery artifacts. This work involves researching both the origin and the history of artifacts. Curators also develop the storyline and theme of displays and exhibitions, and co-ordinate the storage of collections and setting-up of displays and providing consultation to museums, art galleries or private individuals.

Conservators and curators can specialize in a particular type of collection or material, such as paintings, woodwork or sculpture. They are employed in museums and art galleries or may be self-employed.

Archivists acquire, research and store historical documents, photographs, maps, audio-visual material and other archival materials. They are employed in archives and libraries, by government departments and agencies and by private sector organizations.

Although an archivist's duties may vary from one position to another, most archivists perform similar basic duties. These duties include appraising and acquiring archival materials to develop and maintain archival collection, authenticating historical documents and records, and researching the origins and historical significance of archival materials. Archivists also ensure that historical documents, photographs, maps, audio-visual material, manuscripts, public and corporate records and other archival materials are properly preserved and appropriately stored. They also perform manual and automated reference searches for users and assist users in accessing archival materials. This work involves organizing archival records and developing classification systems to allow access to archival materials.

Example Titles

Librarians:

• supervisor, library
• librarian
• library consultant
• bibliographer
• cataloguer

Conservators and Curators:

• assistant curator
• curator
• conservator

Archivists:

• archivist
• chief archivist

Training Paths

The minimum educational requirement for most librarians is a Master's degree in Library Science. Graduate degree programs in this field are not available in Saskatchewan. Librarians in the public school system must hold a Bachelor of Education degree and have completed courses in Library Science or School Librarianship. University of Regina and University of Saskatchewan offer programs in this field of study. University of Regina , University of Saskatchewan, and First Nations University of Canada also offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs in Computer Science or Business Administration, University of Regina and First Nations University of Canada through the Faculty of Business Administration and University of Saskatchewan through the College of Commerce. SIAST offers related training in the Library and Information Technology program.

Most conservators hold a Master's degree in Art Conservation. This degree cannot be attained in Saskatchewan. However, Saskatchewan universities offer a variety of related undergraduate degree programs in Art, Art History and Anthropology. Each of these programs is an excellent starting place or persons pursuing a career as a conservator or curator. University of Regina also offers a Bachelor of Arts degree program in Visual Arts.

The educational requirements for curators may vary from one position to another. In some cases a Bachelor's degree in a related field is sufficient. In others, a Master's or Doctorate degree is required. University programs of this type or in related fields are available throughout Canada. Prospective curators may also consider studying Earth Sciences at the university level. Advanced degrees in Museum Studies are granted by some Canadian universities. Archivists usually hold a Bachelor's or Master's degree in History, or in a related area, such as Archival Studies, History or Library Science.

Trends and Outlooks

The employment prospects for this occupation are: fair

Employment prospects for librarians, archivists, conservators and curators were not great over the last few years. Between 2000 and 2005, the number of full-time workers in these occupations decreased by 15%. Part-time employment in these fields also increased during this time. The majority of these jobs were for librarians--the largest occupation covered here.

Employment numbers will not increase significantly in the next few years, although prospective librarians should know that retirement and other turnover will create numerous employment opportunities in the next few years, particularly in the information, culture and recreation industries. This is a very old labour force in Saskatchewan. In 2006, 58% of all librarians, archivists, conservators and curators in the province were 45 years of age or older. Young professionals will have to be ready to fill the positions left open when many older workers retire. Librarians, archivists, conservators and curators are well paid in Saskatchewan. In 2005, the average full-time income in this occupational group was $45,600 per year. This is considerably higher than the provincial full-time average for all occupations the same year ($42,300 per year). Many Saskatchewan librarians, archivists, conservators and curators earned more or less than the average income in 2005. Librarians, the highest paid professionals in this occupational group, earned as much as $93,700 in 2005. The average annual income for full-time conservators and curators--on average the lowest paid professionals in this group--was $37,800 that same year. Librarians, archivists, conservators and curators working in Regina and Saskatoon generally earn more than their counterparts elsewhere in the province.

There is a high incidence of part-time employment in this occupational group. Less than 40% of all librarians, archivists, conservators and curators in Saskatchewan worked full time in 2005. While not unheard of, self-employment is rare in these fields. Employment is neither seasonal nor sensitive to overall economic conditions. Women made up nearly 90% of the work force in this field in 2006. Just under 50% of all librarians, archivists, conservators and curators in the province worked in or around Regina or Saskatoon in 2006.

While government cutbacks will limit employment opportunities in public libraries and galleries, opportunities may arise in corporate archives and other departments and systems in the private sector. Persons who have expertise in computerized information storage and retrieval systems may have an advantage over others seeking work in these fields.

Professional Associations

Related Occupations

Librarians:

• Library managers (in 0511 Library, Archive, Museum and Art Gallery Managers)
• Medical records librarians (in 1413 Records and File Clerks)
• School librarians (in 4141 Secondary School Teachers and 4142 Elementary School and Kindergarten
• Teachers)

Conservators and curators:

• Curatorial assistants (in 5212 Technical Occupations Related to Museums and Galleries)
• Museum designers (in 5243 Theatre, Fashion, Exhibit and Other Creative Designers)
• Museum educators (in 5124 Professional Occupations in Public Relations and Communications)

Archivists:

• Librarians (5111)
• Library, Archive, Museum and Art Gallery Managers (0511)
• Archive assistants (in 5211 Library and Archive Technicians and Assistants)