Canadiana Librarian
University of Toronto Libraries Job Location: Ontario Apply By: 1/14/2022 Date Created: 11-19-2021
POSITION: Canadiana Librarian (Librarian I or II)
DEPARTMENT: Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library, University of Toronto Libraries
DATE REQUIRED: ASAP
Are you looking for challenging, meaningful work in a supportive and diverse environment? Are you looking for a career at one of Canada’s top employers? Work where the world comes to think, discover and learn. Consider a career at the University of Toronto.
About the University of Toronto Libraries
The University of Toronto Libraries system is the largest academic library in Canada and is consistently ranked in the top ten among academic research libraries in North America. The system consists of 42 libraries located on three university campuses: St. George, Mississauga, and Scarborough. This array of college libraries, special collections, and specialized libraries and information centres supports the teaching and research requirements of over 300 graduate programs, more than 70 professional programs, and about 700 undergraduate degree programs. In addition to more than 15 million volumes in 341 languages, the library system currently provides access to millions of electronic resources in various forms and over 31,000 linear metres of archival material. More than 150,000 new print volumes are acquired each year. The Libraries' data centre houses more than 500 servers with a storage capacity of 1.5 petabytes.
The Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library is one the largest repositories of publicly accessible rare books and archives in Canada. The library holds manuscripts dating to the 10th century, two books printed by William Caxton, Canada's only copy of the 1623 Shakespeare First Folio, and the archives of Margaret Atwood and Frederick Banting among many others. The Fisher has a large and growing collection of medieval manuscripts and the largest assortment of early printed books in Canada. The Fisher’s Canadiana collections include printed and manuscript materials produced for the Indigenous Peoples, literature in numerous European languages, and works of science, medicine, theology, philosophy, scriptural studies, and history to name but a few areas.
The Opportunity
The University of Toronto Libraries seeks an innovative and strongly user-focused librarian for the position of Canadiana Librarian. The successful candidate will report to the Head of the Rare Books and Special Collections Department, with a dotted line to the Associate Chief Librarian for Collections and Materials Management, and will work collaboratively with a team of Rare Book librarians and staff and the Collection Development Department. The incumbent will provide specialized support for the planning, development, acquisition, cataloguing, and management of the library’s growing Canadiana collections, both historic and literary. The successful candidate will also work closely with archivists, liaison librarians, and members of the Central Library’s Metadata Services Department, as well as provide public service and research support to meet the growing needs of a diverse community of faculty, visiting scholars, graduate and undergraduate students.
REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES:
- Responsible for the development of the Canadiana collections in all formats for the general collections.
- Responsible for development of the Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library’s Canadiana print collections, both historic and literary through purchase and donation.
- Responsible for the development of the Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library’s historic Canadiana manuscripts collection through purchase and donation.
- Prioritizing the diversification of our Canadiana collections by working in collaboration with colleagues, in particular in acquisitions, to identify and change policies, practices, and procedures that create barriers to building diverse, inclusive collections.
- Create original catalogue records for the Fisher Library’s Canadiana manuscripts and printed books.
- Provide advanced instruction including lectures, workshops, and seminars.
- Promote the use of the Fisher Library’s Canadiana collections and resources through a range of in-person and online outreach activities.
- In collaboration with the appropriate liaison librarian, maintain close contact with faculty and students of appropriate departments and programs, especially the UofT’s Centre for Indigenous Studies, History, English, and French Departments.
- Provide reference and research support to students, faculty members, staff and visiting scholars.
- Encourage and cultivate close relations with colleagues in the field, rare book dealers, and donors of funds and materials relating to Canadiana.
- Initiate, organize, and oversee digitization projects.
- Participate in library and other committees as appropriate.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
1. An accredited degree from a Master’s level program in library and information studies.
2. Demonstrated commitment to the values of inclusivity, diversity and accessibility.
3. Demonstrated interest in rare book librarianship, rare books, and special collections.
4. Demonstrated knowledge of and ability to apply current cataloguing standards.
5. Knowledge of collection development practices. 6. Knowledge of issues involved in maintaining special collections, especially with a view to serving diverse communities.
7. Demonstrated ability to work in the English and French languages.
8. Outstanding interpersonal, organizational, presentation, and communication skills.
9. Demonstrated flexibility, creativity and ability to innovate and adapt to a changing environment.
10. Strong initiative and ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities effectively.
11. Demonstrated ability to work effectively, as part of a team and independently.
12. Demonstrated commitment to outstanding public service.
13. Excellent analytical and problem solving skills.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
1. Experience working in an academic library and with special collections.
2. Experience teaching using library collections.
3. Experience cataloguing rare books/special collections material.
4. Degree and/or related experience in Canadian history and/or Canadian Literature. Salary and Terms of Appointment: It is anticipated that this position will be filled at the Librarian I or II level, subject to review and experience.
Minimum salary: LIB I: $69,356; LIB II: $72,367 (Salary is dependent on rank at hire and qualifications). This is a permanent status stream position.
Benefits: We offer generous benefits packages to all employees. Additional information is available at: https://people.utoronto.ca/careers/benefits/
Additional information
Librarians at the University of Toronto are members of the University of Toronto Faculty Association.
How to Apply
Application Materials Required:
A cover letter, curriculum vitae, and contact information for three references of which at least two have supervised your work. Please send a single electronic file (MS Word or pdf) with a file name convention of [Surname,FirstName. Canadiana] to Library Human Resources at utlhr@utoronto.ca; or to Room 1140, 130 St. George Street, University of Toronto Libraries, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A5; by January 14, 2022. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.
Diversity Statements
The University of Toronto is strongly committed to diversity within its community and especially welcomes applications from racialized persons / persons of colour, women, Indigenous / Aboriginal People of North America, persons with disabilities, LGBTQ2S+ persons, and others who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas.
University of Toronto Libraries’ Inclusion, Diversity and Equity Statement: https://www.library.utoronto.ca/inclusion-diversity-and-equity-statement
University of Toronto Libraries' Anti-Racism Statement: https://www.library.utoronto.ca/anti-racism-statement
Accessibility Statement
The University strives to be an equitable and inclusive community, and proactively seeks to increase diversity among its community members. Our values regarding equity and diversity are linked with our unwavering commitment to excellence in the pursuit of our academic mission. The University is committed to the principles of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). As such, we strive to make our recruitment, assessment and selection processes as accessible as possible and provide accommodations as required for applicants with disabilities. If you require any accommodations at any point during the application and hiring process, please contact utlhr@utoronto.ca. The University of Toronto Libraries thanks all applicants but will only contact applicants selected for an interview. University of Toronto Library System: http://onesearch.library.utoronto.ca/
University of Toronto: https://people.utoronto.ca/
Policies for librarians: https://people.utoronto.ca/policies/
