Discovery Systems Librarian (Librarian II)
Closes on Thursday, March 03, 2022
University of Toronto Libraries
Toronto, ON, Canada
Full Time (Permanent)
DEPARTMENT: Collection Development
DATE REQUIRED: Immediately

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 40 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 12 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 Opportunity

The University of Toronto Libraries seeks an innovative, enthusiastic, collaborative, and knowledgeable professional to help shape the libraries’ technological future by ensuring well-integrated, user-centred discovery systems that provide comprehensive access to UTL’s diverse collections. Reporting to the Metadata Technologies Manager, the Discovery Systems Librarian will maintain and enhance the efficacy of the Libraries’ discovery mechanisms by ensuring that user needs are identified and fulfilled in an efficient and sustainable manner. As a member of the LSP Management Team, the Discovery Systems Librarian will work in collaboration with faculty, students, and library staff across the University to build upon the integrated metadata offered by the Library Services Platform (LSP) and create the ideal research environment. The Discovery Systems Librarian will also play a key role supporting staff use of the LSP, creating, maintaining and distributing documentation; overseeing communication and training plans; and assisting in the coordination of Alma functional teams.

Representative projects include:

• Collaborating in the design and delivery of an assessment program for our user-facing digital services
• Working with colleagues to integrate the Center for Research Libraries (CRL) collection into our discovery service, ensuring frictionless discovery to delivery
• Investigating search failures in the discovery layer and devising strategies for mitigation
• Working with Collections and Special Collections colleagues to ensure optimal integration of our digital library resources for discovery and use
  

Responsibilities:

• Supporting and enhancing the LSP (currently Alma and Primo), including participating in system configuration, testing new functionality and system upgrades, troubleshooting problems and working with the vendor to resolve issues; working in close coordination with the Library Services Platform Architect to plan and implement customizations to improve functionality of the discovery system
• Working with the diverse user communities and libraries of the University of Toronto Library system to ensure that the discovery layer addresses their range of needs; identifying and leading resolution of pain points related to discovery; conducting user testing and assessment projects to optimize the discovery system for user research
• Collaborating with colleagues across units and campuses at the University of Toronto by participating on relevant working groups and committees; liaising with hospitals and other partner libraries on LSP and discovery systems
• Playing a key role in communications and providing overall staff support related to the LSP and discovery systems; coordinating staff training on the LSP and discovery layer, maintaining and distributing system documentation to library staff
• Maintaining active awareness of initiatives and offerings in area of expertise, and applying this knowledge to local work, including the investigation of new discovery and delivery tools to provide optimal use of library resources
  

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• A degree from an accredited Master’s level program in library and information studies
• Demonstrated commitment to the values of inclusivity, diversity, equity, anti-racism and accessibility
• Relevant professional experience
• Proven knowledge of library enterprise software and discovery services, search tools, and collection management
• Capacity to identify areas of opportunity and to develop and implement innovative solutions to respond to them
• Working knowledge of qualitative assessment methods of digital user experience
• Excellent oral and written communication skills and the ability to communicate technical information to a general audience and to interact effectively with students, faculty, and staff; outstanding service orientation and public service experience
• Strong project management skills, organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage multiple competing priorities
• Highly collaborative and collegial, with the ability to work in a team-based environment
• Aptitude for complex, analytical work with an attention to detail
• Ability to establish and maintain excellent vendor relations
• Strong evidence of a growth mindset: a librarian who embraces change, demonstrates flexibility, creativity, resilience, and a commitment to ongoing learning and professional growth
  

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Demonstrated knowledge of, or experience with, Alma and Primo VE
• Working knowledge of library standards and protocols such as MARC21, MARCXML, OpenURL and linked data formats
• Knowledge of trends or developments in information discovery that are responsive to user search needs in an academic setting
• Membership and participation with professional organizations
  

Salary and Terms of Appointment:

It is anticipated that this position will be filled at the Librarian II level, subject to review and experience. Minimum salary: 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

Application Process

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. Discovery] 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 March 3, 2022. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.

Additional information

Librarians at the University of Toronto are members of the University of Toronto Faculty Association.

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/