Mount Saint Vincent University 

University Librarian  

Located in Mi’kma’ki the unceded and ancestral territory of the Mi’kmaq People,
Mount Saint Vincent University (MSVU) is strongly committed to fostering
equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility (EDIA). MSVU is an institution
that was established by women for the advancement of women with social
responsibility and social justice at its core. MSVU embraces the diversity of
its community and is committed to efforts that enhance diversity, equity,
inclusion, and accessibility across all facets of the university, within its local
community, and in society at large.

Founded in 1873, Mount Saint Vincent University is inspired by a strong tradition
of social responsibility. Many successful and loyal alumnae are passionate
supporters of the MSVU experience. Building on its esteemed 149- year history,
MSVU has the highest percentage of women students and faculty among Canadian
universities, reflecting its long-standing commitment to the advancement of
women. With a diverse mix of close to 4,000 students from across Canada and
more than 50 other countries, the University is large enough to offer a broad
range of educational opportunities, yet small enough to provide an intimate
learning experience and unique sense of community that promotes student growth.
MSVU’s Library is a member of the Novanet consortium of 12 post-secondary
institutions in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, the Council of Atlantic Academic
Libraries (CAAL), and the Canadian Research Knowledge Network (CRKN). 

It is within this context that MSVU welcomes nominations and applications
for the appointment of its next University Librarian,
commencing fall 2023, or soon after.

Reporting to the Vice-President Academic and Provost and as a member of the
senior administrative team, the University Librarian, in consultation and collaboration
with librarians and the Archivist, sets priorities for the University’s on-campus
and virtual library and archival collections and services. To achieve these goals,
the University Librarian provides leadership in strategic planning with the
Library and Archives, contributes to the development of University policies,
and to the overall University planning and decision-making through ex officio
membership on Senate, the Senate Committee on Library and Archives, Management
Forum, and other key committees. The University Librarian works across campus
and externally with partners on issues related to scholarly contributions,
research, teaching and learning, services and resources for students, faculty,
staff, and the broader research community. Acting as a professional librarian,
the University Librarian oversees the management of all services, including
Access Services, Archives & Special Collections, collection development and
digital access (including Open Access and Open Educational Resources),
teaching, instruction, library research help, records management, scholarly
publishing, and space and facilities. The University Librarian acts as
Copyright Officer for the University. 

The University Librarian also provides management and leadership oversight to
the Library and Archives budget, the selection and integration of emerging information
technologies and services, and with administering the Collective Agreements
with the MSVU Faculty Association, CUPE, and the NSGEU with respect to all
permanent and term Library and Archives employees, including part-time faculty.
The role oversees the provision of a wide range of on-campus and virtual
services to a community of students (on-campus and online), employees, and
hundreds of community patrons. The permanent staffing includes 6 professional
librarians, 1 professional archivist, 1 manager, and 10 library
technicians. 

The University Librarian is appointed to a five-year (renewable) term.
Annual performance reviews will be conducted by the Vice-President Academic and
Provost, who will convene a review committee in the penultimate year of the term,
should the University Librarian elect to re-offer. 

As the ideal candidate, you bring a proven track record as an academic 

librarian coupled with a strong personal record of scholarly contributions.
You have been successful in promoting and supporting research excellence to
your librarian and archive colleagues through ongoing involvement in scholarly activity.
You have a demonstrated understanding of information technology, data, and
digital scholarship needs in research, teaching, learning and innovation. Your
administrative and managerial experience is significant, including with
academic and strategic planning, budget management, and with mentorship, and
staff development and growth. You are adept at relationship building and
creating a common vision that brings together librarians, faculty, staff to
offer excellent services for the benefit of a broad and diverse research and
learning community. As a champion of continued improvement, you bring a track
record of contributing to, and supporting, new supports for student, faculty,
staff and external partners. Colleagues describe your interpersonal and
communication skills as outstanding. Your intercultural competencies are
evident in your ability to promote and foster respect and inclusion by working
successfully with a wide variety of people and encouraging their participation
and involvement, and you have a strong record of engaging with and supporting
EDIA principles and initiatives. Candidates must hold a Master of Library and
Information Science (MLIS) or equivalent as defined by the American Library
Association (ALA). 

To apply or explore this exceptional leadership opportunity with Mount Saint
Vincent University, please submit a curriculum vitae along with a cover letter in
confidence to Jane Griffith (jane@griffithgroup.ca) and/or Noshina Choudhary
(noshina@griffithgroup.ca), or visit griffithgroup.ca/msvu
university-librarian 

Mount Saint Vincent University is strongly committed to fostering diversity and
inclusion within its community and encourages applications from all qualified candidates
including women, persons of any sexual orientations and gender identities
and/or expressions, Indigenous persons, racialized persons, other racialized
groups, persons with disabilities, and other groups that would contribute to
the diversification of its campus. Candidates who identify as being from any of
these groups are encouraged to voluntarily self-identify in their application
materials. All qualified candidates are welcome to apply; however, priority
will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents.

In accordance with the provincial legislation, accommodation will be provided
by Griffith Group and Mount Saint Vincent University throughout the
recruitment, selection and/or assessment process, upon request, to applicants
with disabilities. If you require accommodations during the recruitment
process, please contact jane@griffithgroup.ca.