Associate University Librarian, Content, Access and Open Licensing
McMaster University – Hamilton, ON

Job Details
Job Title: Associate University Librarian, Content, Access and Open Licensing
Job ID: 44485
Location: Central Campus
Open Date: 03/30/2022
Close Date: 05/15/2022
Job Type: Continuous
Employee Group: MUFA Librarians
Department: Library Collections
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, forward-looking and collaborative leader to assume the new position of Associate University Librarian, Content, Access and Open Licensing. This is a full-time, continuing appointment, reporting to the University Librarian.

The AUL, Content, Access and Open Licensing will provide the visionary leadership and critical oversight to build upon and enhance access to the University Library’s current online and print collections in support of researchers and learners, now and into the future. The successful candidate will bring a keen understanding of the rapidly changing scholarly publishing environment, deep expertise in the management of information resources, and a strong passion for evidence-based, financially sustainable decision making. They will possess the exceptional interpersonal skills required to convey a compelling and strategic vision to internal and external colleagues. 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-thinking, strategic leadership for building robust and financially sustainable collections in support of the University’s learning and research missions.
• Lead the discussion and decision making associated with consortial licensing, consortial collection development, Big Deal journal packages, and the growing array of transformative agreements.
• Take a lead role in facilitating the University Library’s movement towards more sustainable, open access licensing models. The role will include shifting traditional licensing to support open access publications and infrastructure, communicating and promoting open access publications and licensing terms (e.g., Article Publishing Charge discounts & vouchers).
• Oversee and provide strategic guidance for the University Library’s collection budget.
• Provide strategic direction and support for the development, assessment, and evaluation of collections and content, including acquisitions, content strategies, metadata, electronic resources management, and discovery & access in a consortial / collaborative environment.
• Work in close partnership with McMaster’s separately-administered Health Sciences Library to support collection building between and across disciplines, especially in cases where joint licensing is involved.
• Demonstrate, in all actions and decisions, an unwavering commitment to diversity, equity, decolonization, accessibility and inclusion.
• Coordinate faculty engagement initiatives associated with collections to ensure that decisions meet core teaching and research requirements.
• Work closely with other University Library staff across all Divisions to both build and enhance existing relationships with campus faculty in support of McMaster’s research and teaching missions.
• Lead holistic, library-wide content strategy planning and communication with internal and external stakeholders.
• Identify opportunities for external partnerships with institutions and organizations to leverage expertise and enhance access to content for members of the McMaster community.
• 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 across all divisions and units to achieve their personal and career potential.
• In collaboration with the Director of Assessment, and collection lead(s) in the Health Sciences Library, build and maintain a rich and appropriate set of metrics to illustrate the evolving use and value of the University Library’s collections.
• Represent McMaster at relevant consortial venues. 
• Participate in the general management of McMaster’s University Library through membership in the Library Leadership Group (the senior administrative team). 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.
• A proven record of active engagement in activities that support diversity, equity, decolonization, accessibility and inclusion.
• Experience managing information resources budgets.
• Proven experience supervising, developing and mentoring staff.
• Proven ability to promote cooperative efforts and to foster productive collaborations.
• Demonstrated ability to promote a positive and healthy organizational culture, including the ability to inspire colleagues to achieve their potential.
• Evidence of excellent analytical and critical thinking, organizational and decision-making skills.
• Superior communication and interpersonal skills.
• A strong and increasingly prominent and impactful 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 key tools, techniques, methodologies, and ethical considerations for assessing the impact of library collections  

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 comprises 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 community, 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 May 15, 2022. We thank you for your interest; only candidates moving to the interview stage will be contacted.

Link for external applicants: https://careers.mcmaster.ca/psp/prepprd/EMPLOYEE/HRMS/c/HRS_HRAM.HRS_APP_SCHJOB.GBL?Page=HRS_APP_JBPST&Action=U&SiteId=1000&FOCUS=Applicant&JobOpeningId=44485&PostingSeq=1

If you are a current employee of our organization please use the following link instead:
https://epprd.mcmaster.ca/psp/prepprd/EMPLOYEE/HRMS/c/HRS_HRAM_EMP.HRS_APP_SCHJOB.GBL?Page=HRS_APP_JBPST&Action=U&FOCUS=Employee&SiteId=1000&JobOpeningId=44485&PostingSeq=1

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 employees, students, volunteers and visitors. In accordance with the University’s Vaccination Policy-COVID-19 Requirements for Employees and Students (the “Vaccination Policy”), 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. The University will continue to follow the guidance of public health organizations to define fully vaccinated status.    

Further information is available at the following link: https://covid19.mcmaster.ca/vaccination-mandate/. More information on the University’s Health and Safety framework is available online at https://hr.mcmaster.ca/resources/covid19/.