Posting Date:
Closing Date: August 22, 2024
Position: Reader Services & Instruction librarian (CLTA)
Department: Victoria University Library
Anticipated Start Date: September 16, 2024

JOB SUMMARY

Victoria University Library is currently recruiting a Reader Services and Instruction Librarian to work as part of the Reader Services Department in the E.J. Pratt Library. This is an excellent opportunity for a recent graduate or early-career librarian who is enthusiastic, independent, and possesses excellent teaching, organizational, and interpersonal skills.

Reporting to the Head, Reader Services Department, the incumbent will work collaboratively with other librarians and staff. The core responsibilities of the successful candidate will focus on public service, including providing library instruction, offering proactive reference service, and participating in collection development. This position involves working extensively with the Library’s rare book and special collections. It may entail special projects and other duties as assigned. 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Library Instruction

• Design, deliver, and assess information literacy instruction to undergraduate students at Victoria College
• Participate in the library’s accredited series of research and writing seminars, established in collaboration with the Vic Writing Centre
• Work collaboratively with librarian colleagues to support the annual Jackman Scholars-in-Residence program 
• Create online research guides, disciplinary and course-specific. 

Reference and Public Service

• Provide in-depth, customized research support to students, faculty, and researchers at the reference desk and individual research consultations 
• Assist internal and external researchers in inquiries related to consulting and reproducing materials from the special and rare book collections 
• Participate in the Personal Librarian program
• Serve on library committees and working groups as necessary, including the University of Toronto Libraries Reference Services Committee 
• Provide basic backup assistance to the circulation desk. 

Collection Development

• Contribute to the ongoing development of the library’s general print collection by using an established approval plan (GOBI Library Solutions) and reviewing selection tools (book reviews and publishers’ catalogues) to select titles which align with the existing guidelines for book selection.  

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS 

Education

• ALA-accredited Master of Library and Information Science degree or equivalent.
• Undergraduate degree in the humanities and social sciences.

Experience 

• One to three years of experience in planning, teaching and assessing library instruction (general and course-specific) for undergraduate students, based on the Framework for Information Literacy for Higher Education, is central to this position 
• Experience in the provision of reference service in an academic library, in-person and online 
• Knowledge of major print and electronic resources in the humanities and the social sciences 
• Collection development experience and/or relevant coursework
• Demonstrated ability to conduct outreach to students and faculty in order to promote the library and its collections and services 
• Demonstrated interest in, and a record of, self-directed and active professional development and engagement
• Strong initiative and ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities effectively
• Demonstrated flexibility, creativity and ability to innovate and adapt to a changing environment
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively, both as part of a team and independently
• Ability to maintain professionalism and cordiality when working with library users and staff members.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• Additional subject master’s degree in humanities, social sciences or sciences (related to one of the academic programs at Victoria College). 

Experience 

• Experience with rare books and special collections or archives, particularly in the provision of reference service to researchers 
• Some experience in the organization and curation of library exhibitions is preferred
• Experience working in a liaison capacity in an academic library and in the area of scholarly communication 
• Knowledge of the current copyright law in Canada, including fair dealing, in the context of higher education 
• Knowledge and/or experience of major print and electronic resources in the health sciences or life sciences 
• Familiarity with the University of Toronto Libraries (UTL) system and the Library Services Platform (Ex Libris) is an asset for this position.

SALARY AND TERMS OF APPOINTMENT
The position will be filled at the rank of Librarian I or II level. Salary will be commensurate with experience and academic/professional qualifications. This is a 1-year contractually limited term appointment, with the possibility of renewal. 

Librarians at Victoria University are part of the Victoria Chapter of the University of Toronto Faculty Association (UTFA). 

See: https://www.vicu.utoronto.ca/about-victoria/human-resources/employee-policies-and-collective-agreements/ 

TO APPLY:

Internal candidates are asked to submit their applications online by logging onto Dayforce. Please visit https://www.vicu.utoronto.ca/careers/ and click Internal Opportunities to login and apply.

External Candidates may proceed by clicking “Apply Now” below. 

External Candidates may proceed by clicking “Apply Now” at the following URL: https://can241.dayforcehcm.com/CandidatePortal/en-US/victoriauniversity/Posting/View/1150

 Victoria University thanks all applicants for their interest, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.