Associate University Librarian, User Services and Community Engagement

McMaster University – Hamilton, ON

Job Details
Job Title: Associate University Librarian, User Services and Community Engagement
Job ID: 44170
Location: Central Campus
Open Date: 03/10/2022
Close Date: 04/25/2022
Job Type: Continuous
Employee Group: MUFA Librarians
Department: Library Services & Facilities
Salary Grade/Band: Level 5 & AUL
Salary Range: $102,581.86 – $158,592.15/year
Hours per Week: 35

Posting Details
Education Level: Master’s Degree
Career Level: Senior Management

Job Description:

McMaster University Library is seeking a creative and collaborative leader to assume the position of Associate University Librarian, User Services & Community Engagement. This is a full-time, continuing appointment, reporting to the University Librarian.   

The AUL, User Services & Community Engagement will provide the visionary leadership and critical oversight required to conceptualize and deliver robust and user-focused services to McMaster’s many communities. The successful candidate will be a librarian of notable skill and vision. They will have a keen understanding of the evolving role of the research library in higher education, a strong background in user-focused programming, a proven track record in community engagement, and a firm commitment to continuous improvement. They will possess the exceptional interpersonal skills required to convey a compelling and strategic vision to others. They will manage and nurture a healthy and collegial organizational culture reflecting the University Library’s ongoing commitment to diversity, equity, accessibility and inclusion.  

The successful candidate will: 

• Provide forward-looking and strategic leadership in imagining, delivering and evaluating library services at McMaster based on user needs, current literature and best practices.
• Collaborate and coordinate with other library divisions and units that provide services (both traditional and non-traditional), to library users.
• Identify gaps and areas for improvement in service delivery.
• Develop policies and programs that enable an exceptional and coherent user experience, while recognizing the diverse needs of multiple constituencies. 
• Demonstrate, in all actions and decisions, an unwavering commitment to diversity, equity, decolonization, accessibility and inclusion.
• Ensure the dignity and independence of all McMaster learners and scholars and community partners by advancing the development and delivery of equitable services and spaces based on Universal Design for Learning principles.
• Support partnerships with other library units to develop and promote new services that routinely delight and surpass our users’ expectations.
• Enhance the University Library’s commitment to principled, sustainable and reciprocal relationships with community partners, working in close alignment with McMaster’s Office of Community Engagement (OCE).  Nurture our already-strong relationship with the Hamilton Public Library and the Health Sciences Library.
• Take a leadership role in building new and enhancing existing relationships with key university and external partners around student services to leverage expertise and develop programs at scale in an increasingly complex digital world.  Key partners include academic faculties, departments and programs, Health Sciences Library, Continuing Education, Student Success Centre, MacPherson Institute, Student Accessibility Services, Equity and Inclusion Office, community partners, etc.
• Directly and indirectly supervise, coach and seek out professional and career development opportunities for division staff. Advocate for creative approaches to mentoring and empowering employees to achieve their personal and career potential.
• In collaboration with the Director of Assessment, build and maintain a rich and appropriate set of metrics to illustrate the value of the Library’s services and community engagement programs.
• Represent McMaster University Library on campus and externally and in relevant consortial venues, developing collective strategies for multi-institutional programs that operate at scale in an increasingly digital and complex learning environment.
• Serve as a member of the Library Leadership Group, the senior management team of the University Library.  As a member of this group, participate in key discussions and decision making regarding the general management and long-term strategic direction of the University Library.  Serve as Acting University Librarian on occasion.  

QUALIFICATIONS: 

• A Master’s degree from an ALA-accredited school of library and information science or its equivalent. 
• Minimum of seven years as a professional librarian with at least five years of progressive leadership experience.
• Demonstrated knowledge of and experience using current research and best practices for the creation, delivery assessment of services within research libraries.
• A proven record of active engagement in activities that support diversity, equity, decolonization, accessibility and inclusion for staff and library users.
• A strong interest in and record of building principled, sustainable and reciprocal relationships with community partners.
• Proven experience supervising, developing and mentoring staff.
• Strong knowledge of emerging trends and issues in academic libraries and higher education, including services, collections, technologies and spaces.
• Proven ability to promote cooperative efforts and to foster productive collaborations, especially with community groups.
• Demonstrated ability to promote a positive and healthy organizational culture, including the ability to inspire colleagues to achieve their potential.
• The ability to adapt and work creatively in a rapidly changing environment.
• Knowledge of accessible programming design and delivery.
• Evidence of excellent analytical and critical thinking, organizational and decision-making skills.
• Superior communication and interpersonal skills.
• A strong record of professional contributions and leadership in the library and information science community. This record will include both scholarly activity (research, publications or presentations) and service to professional associations and organizations.  

ADDITIONAL ASSETS: 

Preference will be given to those candidates with significant experience working in a research university or other large academic institution. Preference will also be given to those with: 

• Expertise working in a unionized environment.
• Experience writing and managing grants.
• Experience with donor engagement.
• Knowledge of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and its implications for research libraries.
• Knowledge of key tools, techniques, methodologies, and ethical considerations for assessing the impact of library services. 

CONTEXT 

McMaster University Library aspires to be a catalyst of intellectual activity for the University and its community. We pride ourselves in delivering innovative services, welcoming spaces, extraordinary expertise and exemplary collections to accelerate research, enhance learning and improve the user experience.  

The University Library system is comprised of the Mills Memorial Library (humanities and social sciences), the Thode Library of Science & Engineering and the Innis Library (business). The Library is known for its distinctive collections of archival materials and rare maps and the extraordinary expertise and creative spirit of our staff. We are home to the world-renowned William Ready Division of Archives & Research Collections (including the separately housed Bertrand Russell Archives), the Lyons New Media Centre and the Lewis & Ruth Sherman Centre for Digital Scholarship. We work in close partnership with McMaster’s highly regarded Health Sciences Library. We are actively engaged in the university’s larger teaching and research missions through our management of classroom technology and our oversight of McMaster Experts, the university’s research information management system (RIMS).   

McMaster’s libraries are active contributors to the national and international library community. We are members of the esteemed Association of Research Libraries (ARL), the Canadian Association of Research Libraries (CARL) and the Ontario Council of University Libraries (OCUL).    

Ranked as one of the world’s Top 100 universities, McMaster University is devoted to the cultivation of human potential, realized through our innovative educational programs, cutting-edge research, and the diverse students, faculty, staff and alumni who make up the McMaster family. Dedicated to creating a Brighter World, we recognize that our people are our most valuable resource. Those who join McMaster will find a community of talented individuals who are inspired by the university’s commitment to embodying the values of integrity, quality, inclusiveness and teamwork.  

McMaster is an internationally recognized centre of learning and research. We inspire critical thinking, personal growth and a passion for lifelong learning in the 34,000 students, 1,000 faculty and 11,000 staff that make up our community. The University attracts, on average, more than $370M of research funding each year and is ranked #2 in the world by the Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Ranking. The University is consistently ranked as one of Hamilton-Niagara’s Top Employers. We are known for the excellence of our faculty, the diverse nature of our student body and the strength of our community connections.   

McMaster is located in the city of Hamilton, Ontario.  Hamilton is a vibrant city, recognized for its natural beauty and unique blend of cultural, education and technological resources.  

APPLYING

Qualified candidates are encouraged to apply online on the Careers page of the McMaster website by April 25, 2022. We thank you for your interest; only candidates moving to the interview stage will be contacted.

Link for external applicants

If you are a current employee of our organization please use the following link instead

EMPLOYMENT EQUITY STATEMENT

McMaster University is located on the traditional territories of the Haudenosaunee and Mississauga Nations and, within the lands protected by the “Dish with One Spoon” wampum agreement.

In keeping with its Statement on Building an Inclusive Community with a Shared Purpose, McMaster University strives to embody the values of respect, collaboration and diversity, and has a strong commitment to employment equity. The diversity of our workforce is at the core of our innovation and creativity and strengthens our research and teaching excellence. The University seeks qualified candidates who share our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion. While all qualified candidates are invited to apply, we particularly welcome applications from women, persons with disabilities, First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples, members of visible minorities, and LGBTQ+ persons. Job applicants requiring accommodation to participate in the hiring process should contact the Human Resources Service Centre at 905-525-9140 ext. 222-HR (22247) to communicate accommodation needs.

VACCINATION POLICY STATEMENT

The University is committed to providing and maintaining healthy and safe working and learning environments for all workers, students, volunteers and visitors. Effective October 18, 2021, all McMaster community members, including employees, accessing a McMaster campus or facility in person are required to be fully vaccinated or to have received an exemption from the University for a valid human rights ground. This is a term and condition of employment. As defined by the provincial government, people are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after their second dose in a 2-dose series. Vaccines approved by Health Canada or the World Health Organization will be recognized. The University will continue to follow the guidance of public health organizations to define fully vaccinated.

Effective September 7 through to October 18, those employees who are not fully vaccinated will participate in rapid testing twice per week, pending assessment of a human rights exemption or being fully vaccinated. Processes for confidentially disclosing vaccination status, completing testing, and review of human rights exemptions have been developed and you will be advised further upon hire.

The vaccination requirement has been adopted as part of the University’s efforts to keep our community safe, and based on the evidence which is demonstrating that vaccination is one of the most significant measures that can be taken to protect student, staff, faculty and community members. Further information is available at the following link: https://covid19.mcmaster.ca/campus-health-safety/#tab-content-vaccination. More information on the University’s Health and Safety framework is available online at https://hr.mcmaster.ca/resources/covid19/.

Questions regarding the above requirements or any accommodation requests through the recruitment process can be directed to your human resources contact.