The Role of Paraprofessionals in Technical Services in Academic Libraries

Abstract

Due to factors including technological advances, budget cuts, reorganizations, downsizing, outsourcing, expanded roles of professionals and changes in the information world, the workload among professionals and paraprofessionals has been redistributed in technical services in academic libraries. Today, paraprofessionals manage major functional areas in technical services and dominate the technical services work force. The roles of paraprofessionals have expanded to include duties that used to be considered the sole responsibilities of professionals in technical services. In 2011, the author conducted a survey to understand more about the roles of paraprofessionals in technical services in academic libraries in the previous five years. The survey was designed to answer the following research questions: 1. In the previous five years, what educational degrees and high-level skills are required for the positions of professionals and paraprofessionals in technical services in academic libraries according to their official job descriptions? What are the similarities and differences? 2. In the previous five years, what complex duties are regularly assigned (i.e., officially part of the job description) to professionals and paraprofessionals in technical services in academic libraries, either full or part time? What are the similarities and differences? 3. In the previous five years, have the roles of paraprofessionals in technical services in academic libraries been expanded, grown smaller, or remained the same in complex duties? 4. In the previous five years, what incentives do academic libraries offer to paraprofessionals in technical services for staff development?