Academic Librarian

Introduction

The Angus L. Macdonald Library, St. Francis Xavier University (StFX), seeks a collaborative, innovative, and student-centered librarian to join our team. This permanent-track position will be filled at the rank of Librarian I or II, with a start date of May 1, 2025. To address historic inequities in this field, the library welcomes applications from individuals who self-identify as Black, Indigenous, Persons of Colour, and/or male or non-binary. We respectfully ask that applicants make their self-identification clear to the hiring committee in their cover letter. The successful applicant may be required to provide additional self-identification information prior to hiring. 

The Angus L. Macdonald Library serves one of Canada’s top-ranked undergraduate educational institutions and sees its role as a proactive one of service and support for the academic success of its students and faculty. The library is a member of Novanet, a consortium of Nova Scotia academic libraries sharing a common library management system, the Council of Atlantic Academic Libraries (CAAL), and the Canadian Research Knowledge Network (CRKN), among other collaborative initiatives.

Position Description

Reporting to the University Librarian, the successful candidate will participate in library services, including regularly scheduled reference desk shifts; and will serve as Liaison Librarian to designated departments and/or programs, providing specialized information literacy instruction, research assistance, and support for library resource selection and evaluation to those departments. 

Librarian responsibilities are determined in consultation with the University Librarian, taking into consideration the needs of the library and of the University, and may vary from time to time. In a small academic library environment, this offers an opportunity for a breadth of skill and knowledge development. 

The initial assignment for this position will have the functional role of digital initiatives and data services responsibilities, which will include managing the operations of StFX Scholar, the University’s institutional repository and platform for the Library’s digital collections; supporting open educational resources (OER) and research data management (RDM) across campus; developing and providing support for data discovery; and serving as the Data Liberation Initiative (DLI) Contact for StFX. Initial liaison assignments will include the School of Business, among other departments.

Other duties include, but are not limited to, outreach to students and faculty, participation in library committees, initiatives, and projects, the creation and maintenance of subject research guides, and the creation and delivery of library workshops. As members of the Faculty Union, Librarians must demonstrate a record of professional and scholarly activity for permanence and promotion.

Responsibilities

• Manage the daily operations of StFX Scholar, including adding and editing content and metadata.
• Provide training for staff on use and workflows related to the repository.
• Update institutional repository procedures, policies, best practices, and other necessary documentation.
• Collaborate with library and archives staff and other librarians to support deposits into the repository and manage digitization projects.
• Work with the Scholarly Communications Librarian to promote awareness of and increase participation in the repository. 
• Collect, analyze, and report institutional repository usage data.
• Prepare and deliver instruction and provide specialized research consultations supporting data discovery, analysis, and management.
• Liaise with the StFX Research Office and with regional and national data access and preservation initiatives to support researchers in data management best practices.
• As the DLI Contact for the University, provide in-depth consultation and information services in the discovery and use of Canadian statistical resources, survey data, and data access resources and tools.

Required Qualifications:

• A Master’s degree in library/information studies or equivalent from an ALA-accredited program.
• Demonstrated understanding of or experience providing online and in-person reference support, information literacy instruction, and collection development, preferably in an academic library environment.
• Demonstrated understanding of current and emerging practices and trends relevant to the delivery of information literacy and other library instruction, both online and in-person.
• Proficiency with Microsoft products (Outlook, Word, Excel, OneDrive, Teams).
• Demonstrated ability to work both collaboratively in a team environment and independently on assigned responsibilities.
• Demonstrated understanding of EDIA principles and their importance in an academic institution and an academic library.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and time management skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Understanding of institutional repository and digitization practices, including relevant copyright policies and practices.
• Knowledge of OER and RDM best practices. 
• Familiarity with DSpace, Pressbooks, and Borealis considered an asset.
• Familiarity with the DLI and its resources.
• Familiarity with ExLibris Primo/Alma ILS and SpringShare products.
• Understanding of the importance of professional growth, academic service, and scholarly activity in an academic environment.

This position is subject to final budgetary approval. Review of applications will begin on February 26, 2025. To express interest in this role, please send a cover letter and resume in confidence to:

Carolyn DeLorey 
Interim University Librarian 
StFX University 
liboffice@stfx.ca

St. Francis Xavier University is located in Mi’kma’ki, the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq People. Our institution is committed to upholding the values of equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility. We encourage applications from members of groups that have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including Indigenous persons (especially Mi’kmaq), racialized persons (especially African Nova Scotians), persons with disabilities, those who identify as women and/or 2SLGBTQIA+ and any others who would contribute to the diversity of our community. Please note that all qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, applications from Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.

We are also committed to the elimination of barriers to participation for persons with disabilities. Should you require an accommodation during the recruitment process, please contact People and Culture at hr@stfx.ca or 902-867-5038.

About St. Francis Xavier University

Established in 1853, St. Francis Xavier University (StFX) is consistently recognized as one of the best universities in Canada. StFX exceeds the needs of today’s undergraduates through providing the very best academic experience — outstanding teaching, exceptional hands-on research opportunities, and global exchanges — all within Canada’s most vibrant and inspiring residential campus. Here, the focus is on the academic and the personal development of every student, making community and social engagement a large part of the learning experience. Our students are academically strong and highly engaged in every aspect of life, determined to make a positive impact on the world. In 2022, Maclean’s annual university rankings put StFX #1 in student satisfaction and #2 in reputation across Canada in the primarily undergraduate category. For more, visit www.stfx.ca.

About Antigonish, Nova Scotia

The beautiful and historic town of Antigonish is located within the northeastern corner of Nova Scotia. Only a 15-minute drive from the ocean and a two-hour drive to major urban centres, Antigonish is a family-friendly community with a diverse and growing population and provides access to excellent education at all levels. The town is surrounded by rolling countryside and beautiful beaches and is a hotspot for outdoor recreation, sports and other active lifestyle activities. Antigonish supports a vibrant culture in the arts with music, performing arts, visual arts and crafts, and fabulous festivals happening throughout the year. For more information visit www.townofantigonish.ca or www.visitantigonish.ca.