Located in downtown Toronto, the largest and most culturally diverse city in Canada and on the territory of the Anishinaabeg, Haudenosaunee and the Wendat Peoples, the University Libraries at Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University) invite applications for the position of Librarian effective immediately subject to final budgetary approval. 

This position is restricted to candidates who self-identify as First Nations, Métis, Inuit peoples, or Indigenous peoples of North America and who, subsequent to a review by the University’s Indigenous Faculty Committee and the Indigenous Human Resources Lead, are verified to hold lineage and/or acceptance by an Indigenous community based on pre-established criteria. 

Indigenous candidates who would like to learn more about working at Toronto Metropolitan University are welcome to contact Tracey King, Miigis Kwe, the Indigenous Human Resources Lead and the Founding Co-Chair of the First Nations, Métis and Inuit Community Group at t26king@ryerson.ca. 

For any confidential accommodation needs in order to participate in the recruitment and selection process and/or inquiries regarding accessing the Faculty Recruitment Portal, please contact Anna Tassone at atassone@ryerson.ca.  

The Opportunity

The Indigenous Scholarship Librarian will connect, consult and collaborate with the Indigenous community within TMU and the larger community surrounding TMU to advance Indigenous knowledge. They will bring expertise in Indigenous ways of knowing and being, and be well versed in Indigenous knowledge creation and the ethical uses and dissemination of this knowledge, including the First Nations Principles of Ownership, Control, Access, and Possession (OCAP®). The Indigenous Scholarship Librarian will be a resource the community may draw upon in learning about protocols, practices and needs with regard to Indigenous knowledge in the University. The successful applicant will have authentic ties to the Indigenous community, and as such, their work will be inherently connected to that community. This may include working with relevant community organizations, advisory councils and non-profit organizations. 

Within the TMU Libraries, the Indigenous Scholarship Librarian will work within a team of librarians to:

• Build collections and services that support Indigenous research methodologies, knowledge and topics, including ensuring Indigenous authors and researchers are well represented in the library collection. 
• Protect and preserve Indigenous knowledge(s) in a variety of mediums for use by current and future generations in a respectful and sensitive manner.
• Seek direction from communities on proper protocols regarding access and care of their culturally sensitive records.
• Provide workshops, classroom instruction and reference services to the university community that are relevant and reflective of Indigenous peoples. 
• Grow relationships with faculties to help develop and promote resources that will aid in advancing Indigenous knowledge.
• Provide information and research help services including research consultations to students, faculty and researchers onsite and remotely.
• Provide liaison services to the First Nations Technical Institute and the Aboriginal Knowledges and Experiences Certificate program.
• Advise faculty, students and library staff on the First Nations, Métis and Inuit cultural concept of copyright and intellectual property.
• Participate in Library and University committees.
• Engage in professional development and/or scholarly, research and creative activities.

The successful candidate will join a growing number of faculty members at TMU whose teaching and research encompasses an Indigenous perspective. They will have the opportunity to work with the Faculty Association Indigenous Caucus, the Aboriginal Education Council and University Aboriginal Student Services. For more information on TMU’s TRC and its recommendations and next steps please see: https://www.ryerson.ca/content/dam/aboriginal-news/aboriginal-report-web.pdf

The successful candidate will engage in a combination of professional duties, scholarly research or creative activity and/or professional development, and service duties while maintaining an inclusive, equitable, and collegial work environment across all activities. 

Candidates must hold an MLS/MLIS/MISt degree or acceptable ALA recognized equivalent by the appointment date. Candidates with the degree in progress will also be considered, and are encouraged to apply. The Libraries are particularly interested in candidates with a background in Indigenous knowledge, and with ties to Indigenous communities.

The successful incumbent must also demonstrate the following:

• A commitment to the responsibility of truth and reconciliation as outlined in the Calls To Action.
• Flexibility and creativity in adapting to evolving staffing, liaison models, and emerging technologies.
• A commitment to collaboration and collegiality and a strong focus on service to students, faculty and staff.
• Excellent problem-solving and time-management skills and ability to operate effectively while balancing competing priorities.
• Motivation to proactively identify work to be completed, and ability to prioritize and shift gears throughout the academic year cycle.
• Strong written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills.
• A commitment to our values of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion as it pertains to service, teaching, and scholarly research or creative activities, including a demonstrated ability to make learning accessible and inclusive for a diverse population. 
• An ability and willingness to contribute to the life of the Libraries and the University through collegial service.  

Candidates possessing the following will be preferred:

• Aptitude for thinking creatively and critically about information literacy programs and services.
• Aptitude for thinking critically about best practices for academic libraries and trends in higher education.
• Understanding of scholarly communication including open access publishing, journal evaluation and research impact.
• Indigenous Knowledge such as being a Traditional Knowledge Keeper or an Indigenous Language Speaker, as verified by the respective Indigenous communities, in consultation with the Indigenous Faculty Committee.

Our committee recognizes that professional librarians have varying career paths and that career interruptions can be part of an excellent career record.

This position falls under the jurisdiction of the Ryerson Faculty Association (RFA) (www.rfanet.ca). The RFA collective agreement can be viewed here and a summary of RFA benefits can be found here.

About TMU Libraries

A vibrant and innovative centre of exploration, research, creation and learning, TMU Libraries are positioned at the core of the University’s academic, research and community engagement goals. The Libraries support a diverse community of learners and instructors, researchers and scholars, and community experts and entrepreneurs, and is a hub of interdisciplinary SRC.  The dedicated team of more than 100 talented individuals supports a growing academic community, including new campuses and a growing number of international students. In addition to our main campus Library, TMU Libraries includes a Law Library branch. The Law Library at the Lincoln Alexander School of Law is Canada’s newest academic law library, and offers collections and services that enable students and faculty to realize the School’s vision of a progressive legal education designed to meet the needs of a new generation of lawyers. TMU Libraries provide crucial academic learning, creation and research resources, programs, services and spaces. Its unique blend of expertise and programming, coupled with access to leading edge technology and an array of information resources, fosters a rich academic environment, supporting the University’s complement of degree programs, and advancing research and discovery, and community outreach and engagement.  

The Libraries are committed to the TRC Calls to Action and are actively exploring ways to decolonize our work and these efforts are further supported by the Mash Koh Wee Kah Pooh Win (Standing Strong Task Force) recommendations and the University’s in process renaming initiative. Our ongoing commitment to equity and community inclusion continue to shape and reaffirm our values and priorities as a Library and University. 

About Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU)

In August 2021, the former Ryerson University announced that it would begin a renaming process to reconcile the legacy of Egerton Ryerson for a more inclusive future. It was recently announced that the Universityschool is renamed to Toronto Metropolitan University with immediate effect. To learn more, please visit: https://www.ryerson.ca/next-chapter/. 

Serving a highly diverse student population of over 45,000, with 100+ undergraduate and graduate programs built on the integration of theoretical and practical learning and distinguished by a professionally focussed curriculum with a strong emphasis on excellence in teaching, research and creative activities, TMU is a vibrant, urban university known for its culture of innovation, entrepreneurship, community engagement and city-building through its award-winning architecture. 

Working at TMU

At the intersection of mind and action, Toronto Metropolitan University is on a transformative path to become Canada’s leading comprehensive innovation university. At TMU and within our University Libraries, we firmly believe that equity, diversity and inclusion are integral to this path; our current academic plan outlines each as core values and we work to embed them in all that we do. 

Dedicated to a people first culture, TMU is proud to have been selected as one of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers and a Greater Toronto’s Top Employer. We invite you to explore the range of benefits and supports available to faculty and their family, including access to our diverse faculty and staff networks. 

Visit us on Twitter: @torontomet, @VPFAtorontomet and @TorontoMetHR, and our LinkedIn page.

TMU is committed to accessibility for persons with disabilities. To find out more about legal and policy obligations please visit the accessibility and Human Rights websites.

Toronto Metropolitan University welcomes those who have demonstrated a commitment to upholding the values of equity, diversity, and inclusion and will assist us to expand our capacity for diversity in the broadest sense. In addition, to correct the conditions of disadvantage in employment in Canada, we encourage applications from members of groups that have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples, Indigenous peoples of North America, Black-identified persons, other racialized persons, persons with disabilities, and those who identify as women and/or 2SLGBTQ+.

Additional Information About the Position

Employment Type: Full-Time Career Employee (FTCE)

Salary: In accordance with Article 16.4 of the collective agreement, the salary minima are $67,980.81 for Librarian I and $75,846.36 for Librarian II. Salary will commensurate with experience and will increase annually by: i) an Across-the-Board increase and ii) one Career Development Increment (CDI) up to the maximum for satisfactory service and conditional upon receipt of the member’s annual report.

Benefits: Extended health, vision, dental, insurance, tuition waiver benefits and access to the Ryerson Retirement Pension Plan. Five weeks’ vacation per completed year of service. Sixteen professional development days per year.

https://www.ryerson.ca/hr/employee-resources/rfa/full-time-LTF/pay-info/

Location of Work: Downtown Toronto

How to Apply

Applicants must submit their application online via the Faculty Recruitment Portal [https://hr.cf.ryerson.ca/ams/faculty/] by clicking on “Start Application Process” to begin. Applications, consisting of the following, must be received by October 31, 2022. The position will remain open until filled. 

• a letter of application; 
• a curriculum vitae; and
• names of three individuals who may be contacted for references.

Please note that all qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, applications from Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority, in accordance with Canadian immigration regulations. Candidates must therefore indicate in their application if they are a permanent resident or citizen of Canada.