SUMMER 2008
Spokane Falls Community College
- 3410 West Fort George Wright Drive
- Spokane, WA 99224-5298
- http://www.spokanefalls.edu/
Degrees and Certificates
Program Website
http://www.spokanefalls.edu/librarytechTuition and Fees
http://icatalog.ccs.spokane.edu/fees.pdfAdditional Costs
| Books | $100 |
| * Books estimate for total length of program. | |
Program Description
Online AAS Degree: The Library Technician program offers an online AAS degree and an online certificate for library support staff and paraprofessionals who wish to start their career as a library staff member or who wish to further their career development. Students are trained to work in all areas of library service. The program gives students exposure to a broad range of theory and practice common in most libraries. The program at SFCC is approved by the Western Council of State Libraries and follows the American Library Association guidelines for library technician education.
Students can enter the program in any quarter. The recommended course sequence begins with the fall quarter and library science courses must be taken in order to complete the program as listed in the career planning guide. Library science classes are online classes. Electives for the AAS degree program can be taken online or in a traditional classroom. Students engage in online learning and are required to take work experience/internship classes to reinforce hands-on training. Very few of the library science classes require students to purchase textbooks.
Online Certificate: This three quarter certificate program targets persons interested in working in K-12 library settings who do not wish to pursue an AAS degree. Graduates of this program gain employment as library support staff or paraprofessionals in libraries.
AAS Educational Paraprofessional School Library Media Technician Emphasis: This degree program can seek employment as paraprofessionals in the classroom or as K-12 library staff. Consult the Education Paraprofessional, Special Education career planning guide for more information.
Program Goals
- Graduates will perform standard library practices and procedures in all types of libraries.
- Graduates will engage in excellent customer service and workplace communication skills.
- Graduates will utilize technology and software used in libraries.
- Graduates will acquire support staff positions in libraries as entry-level or supervisory level paraprofessionals in libraries.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Please contact the Spokane Falls Community College Counseling Center (509) 533-3525; or the Program Instructor (509) 533-3809.
Career Opportunities
The number of library staff positions is expected to remain constant nationwide. More positions are likely to be available in large public, college and university libraries. However, placement opportunities also exist in smaller libraries such as school, rural and special libraries.
Factors influencing the demand for library technicians are population, school and college enrollment growth and expansion of library service. Library technicians are performing many of the routine tasks formerly done by the professional staff. In addition to openings created by growth, library technicians will be needed annually to replace those who retire or transfer to other fields.