Angela Carito-Walmsley: The role of a library technician in a Canadian special library
PriceWaterhouseCoopers, Toronto, Canada

Special libraries in Canada provide many opportunities for Library Technicians. Library Technicians are paraprofessionals who work in all types of special libraries. Library Technicians in Canada are graduates of Library and Information Technician Diploma programs. Library and Information Technician Diplomas are offered at Community Colleges across Canada, and the program usually runs for two years. Students study a wide variety of subjects including: cataloguing and classification, reference skills, web design, and online search skills. Students in these programs are undergraduates from University programs or graduates from Secondary School. Library Technicians can find employment in all types of libraries from public, academic to special.

I graduated in 1989 from the Library Techniques Diploma Program at Seneca College in Toronto. At the time, the job market provided numerous employment opportunities for graduates. I began my career with Coopers & Lybrand, and am still employed by the same firm. Today the firm is a global one, and is called PricewaterhouseCoopers.

As a Library Technician, the special library environment has given me many opportunities to develop my technical and computer skills. I initially began as a Cataloguer and took responsibility for cataloguing the entire library`s print collection. Our library uses Library of Congress Subject Headings and Classification System. The collection consisted primarily of client reports and proposals, books, serials, and annual reports. Our library began using the Sydney Library System, and I was involved in implementing all the modules. This included automation of the circulation, serials and acquisitions function. In 1993, I was involved in data conversion from the old Sydney system to SydneyPLUS. Part of my job also involves installing quarterly updates to the library system.

I am still cataloguing the Research Centre`s holdings, which have expanded to include CD-ROM and electronic resources. Contrary to popular belief, the cataloguing has not decreased. In July 1998, Coopers & Lybrand merged with Price Waterhouse, bringing together two unique corporate libraries. In January 1999, the two libraries officially merged into one, and I have been involved in consolidating the collections of the two libraries. This has proved to be quite a challenge, as the Price Waterhouse side used the Inmagic system and Dewey classification scheme. We decided to keep the SydneyPLUS Library System due to its modularity, and began converting records from Inmagic to SydneyPLUS. Since both libraries have the same extensive accounting and management consulting collections, we were able to weed one collection, and are slowly integrating the ramaining titles into the Library of Congress classification scheme. The weeding process also involves the cancellation of duplicate subscriptions for looseleaf services and journals.

As our collection grew from print to electronic, the special library environment gave me the opportunity to expand my computer and technical skills.

I am also involved in developing electronic desktop resources and tools. Our Library uses a web page to launch and organize our CD-ROM products. The web page organizes our CD-ROM`s into General Reference, Canadian, American and International information sources. I find it a challenge to keep up with the changes to HTML coding and web design, and continuing education is necessary to maintain these skills.

In addition, our Library has a section on the Firm`s Intranet, KnowledgeCurve. Our Research Centre page on the Intranet provides users with information about who we are, and provides links to corporate, accounting and financial web sites. I am involved in recommending site links and resources for our "Reference Shelf" section of the Intranet. I was given the opportunity to learn Lotus Notes database design. Recently, I created an "Ideas Database" to keep track of submissions to our section of the Intranet. The database tracks the flow of submissions from a "draft" idea, and authors are able to submit site links that they think are suitable for the Intranet. Once a website link is approved for posting, I am responsible for sending a permission letter to the site’s Webmaster, and obtaining necessary approval for linking it to our Intranet. I am also involved in building a links page for the Research staff, for those sites which do not meet the broad mandate of the Intranet. These sites may be suitable for the librarian`s "research" purposes, but may not meet the content guidelines of our firmwide Intranet.

Over the years, my position has grown from "cataloguer" to "library systems specialist". There are many challenges in dealing with new technology and electronic resources. The special library environment has given me the opportunity to maintain my interest in the traditional aspects of librarianship such as cataloguing, while at the same time expanding my technical skills and interests in web design and production of desktop tools.

While not all Library Technicians work in the technical services area of a special library, my experience has been a very rewarding one. Each day brings new challenges in a special library!