Health Sciences Library Collections Diversification Intern

Program stream: Young Canada Works at Building Careers in Heritage 
Job title: Health Sciences Library Collections Diversification Intern 
Organization name: Dalhousie University – WK Kellogg Health Sciences Library 
Job location: Halifax, NS 
Length of assignment: 2026-06-15 – 2026-12-18
Hourly wage: $24.00 

Job poster (English): 

The W. K. Kellogg Health Sciences Library is seeking an enthusiastic and focused individual to join us as a Health Sciences Library Collections Diversification Intern. The W. K. Kellogg Health Sciences Library serves the information and research needs of three health-related Faculties at Dalhousie University (Medicine, Dentistry and Health). Dalhousie University and the health education programs it supports operate in the unceded territories of the Mi’kmaw, Wolastoqey, and Peskotomuhkati Peoples. We recognize that African Nova Scotians are a distinct people whose histories, legacies and contributions have enriched that part of Mi’kma’ki known as Nova Scotia for over 400 years. 

The position will include reviewing the existing health sciences library collection and engaging with a range of academic and community partners, requiring both communication, project management, and technical abilities. The main project is to identify steps and processes to diversify to the print library collection at the W.K. Kellogg Health Sciences Library, in Halifax, Nova Scotia. We recognize that the knowledge systems of healthcare, medicine, higher education, and academic libraries have been shaped by the colonial history of our region, and we are committed to taking the first steps to engage with decolonial principles and to increase the diversity of perspectives within our health library collection. The collection management planning will also consider electronic health information resources that complement the print material. 

This project will provide the opportunity for the intern to become familiar with existing academic health sciences library collections. Additionally, the intern will recommend content that would cover gaps in information resources related to diverse communities, research traditions, and ways of knowing. This focus on collections will address localized information needs of health care professions trainees and researchers supporting the communities across Mi’kma’ki, with a particular emphasis on diversifying the collection and applying a decolonial lens to collections management. The intern will have the chance to apply principles of relationality and community engagement to inform collection management planning that is responsive to the health of people in Atlantic Canada, including rural, Indigenous, and African Nova Scotian communities. Responsibilities of this position may also include providing health library services, such as access services desk shifts and reference and research support for health sciences students and faculty.   

The successful candidate will report to the Head of Library Academic Services for Medicine, Health, and Dentistry at the W.K. Kellogg Health Sciences Library. The position will be based out of the library in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and most work hours will be onsite to provide in-person support and work with the physical collection. This position is full-time (35 hours/week) for 26 weeks. Work hours are flexible and may include some weekend and evening shifts. 

Qualifications: 

• A recently completed Masters level Library or Information Studies program from an ALA accredited school OR related experience, such as prior work in a library or health research setting and a recently completed degree or diploma in a discipline relevant to information management, health sciences, Indigenous studies, or other cultural studies; 

• Interest in and/or experience with diverse perspectives on health, research, and ways of knowing, as applied to health libraries collections; 

• Individuals who are part of a community that has been underrepresented in health and medicine are strongly encouraged to apply. Including, but not limited to: Indigenous (especially Mi’kmaq), African Nova Scotian and other visible minorities, first-in-family to obtain a degree, newcomers to Canada, 2SLGBTQ+ community members, and persons with disability(ies); 

• Health Sciences background/experience/coursework desired (but not required); 

• Experience or coursework in project management and/or community engagement desired (but not required); 

• Ability to effectively communicate with partners within and beyond the academic library; 

• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team; 

• Ability to lift and move physical books off of and onto shelves and to use library carts is desired, but limitations can be accommodated. 

Dalhousie University commits to achieving inclusive excellence through continually championing equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility. The university encourages applications from Indigenous persons (especially Mi’kmaq), persons of Black/African descent (especially African Nova Scotians), and members of other racialized groups, persons with disabilities, women, persons identifying as members of 2SLGBTQ+communities, and all candidates who would contribute to the diversity of our community. For more information, please visit www.dal.ca/hiringfordiversity. 

Note: To be eligible, internship candidates must be under 30 years of age and not have previously participated in, or been paid under, this or any other internship program funded by the Government of Canada’s Youth Employment Strategy. The scope and duration of this project is contingent upon receipt of project funding.  Visit the Young Canada Works at Building Careers in Heritage (graduates) page for eligibility details and instructions to apply.

Application deadline: May 25, 2026 

 Start date: June 15, 2026 

End date: December 18, 2026 

Salary: $24/hour 

Applications must be submitted through the Young Canada Works Interactive Website. Applications should include a covering letter of application, a current resumé, and the names and contact information of two references. 

For additional information, please contact: 

Robin Parker 
Acting Head of Library Academic Services for Medicine, Health, and Dentistry at the W. K. Kellogg Health Sciences Library, Dalhousie University Libraries  
robin.parker@dal.ca 
5850 College Street, The Sir Charles Tupper Medical Building 
Halifax, NS Canada B3H 4R2