Community Scholars Librarian

Full Time – Temporary – January 1 – December 31, 2027

Simon Fraser University Library invites applications for a full-time temporary Community Scholars Librarian position. Reporting to the Head, Belzberg Library, this 12-month position will be responsible for coordinating the Community Scholars Program. This position is multicampus and may involve travel to all three campuses, as well as to community settings.

The primary focus for the Community Scholars Librarian is to lead the Community Scholars Program (CSP), a multi-university, multi-provincial initiative that provides library access and support to individuals working in community organizations, including nonprofits, charities, and Indigenous organizations. The CSP provides participants with free online access to tens of thousands of journals and books along with librarian consultation and support. Participants in the CSP work in a wide variety of areas, including social and legal services, the arts, human rights and social justice, housing, physical and mental health, sustainability and conservation. SFU Library provides leadership and infrastructure for a growing network of partner libraries to engage with participants in their communities, as well as liaising directly with participants in our region. Current CSP partner libraries are in BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Ontario.

The Community Scholars Librarian shapes the direction of the program, liaises with partner libraries and program participants, and coordinates communications and administrative services for the national program. This position also provides research consultations, facilitates workshops, and develops and deploys communication and engagement strategies for program participants. Relationship building from a perspective of reciprocity and respect is central to the position’s duties.

This position will be attractive to adaptable and collaborative individuals with excellent communication and project management skills. It will also appeal to those who have an understanding of research environments and needs outside of academia and those who are highly motivated to provide innovative and responsive services to community members.

SETTING

We acknowledge the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish), xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), səl̓ílwətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), q̓íc̓əy̓ (Katzie), and kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (Kwikwetlem) peoples, on whose traditional territories Simon Fraser University’s three campuses stand. By recognizing the Unceded Traditional Coast Salish territories, we aspire to create space for Reconciliation through dialogue and decolonizing practices.

Ranked by respected national surveys as one of Canada’s top three comprehensive universities for the past 20 years, Simon Fraser University has also been consistently named one of British Columbia’s Top Employers in recent years, as well as one of Canada’s Top 100 employers, and one of Canada’s top family-friendly employers. SFU offers more than 100 undergraduate major and joint major programs and more than 75 graduate offerings, spanning many disciplines in eight faculties, and has an international reputation for its innovative interdisciplinary and professional programs. The main W.A.C. Bennett Library is located on the Burnaby campus, while the Samuel and Frances Belzberg Library is on the Vancouver campus, and Fraser Library is at SFU Surrey.

The SFU Library is known for the development and implementation of innovative technology, leadership in Open Access, and excellent in-person and online user services. We serve an ethnically diverse student population, most of whom live off-campus and work part-time while attending university. SFU Library collaborates broadly with other institutions through membership in the Canadian Association of Research Libraries, the Association of Research Libraries, and regional consortia. For more information, see our website.

The SFU Library is committed to a continuous process of transformation to advance equity, diversity, and inclusion, and to serve the cause of social justice. The Library’s Statement on Equity, Diversity and Inclusion provides more information.

ASSIGNMENT

• Provide leadership of the Community Scholars Program, including responsively maintaining program infrastructure, coordinating regular meetings with BC partner libraries and extra-provincial partner libraries, and facilitating a national community of practice.
• Coordinate collaborative services with librarians at partner libraries across the country.
• In consultation with library and other strategic partners, maintain priorities of the program and monitor progress toward program goals.
• Collaborate with internal library staff and divisions and external parties in the delivery of service to program participants.
• Liaise with the Director, Library Advancement to explore funding opportunities for the program.
• Coordinate communications about the CSP to program participants, Library, campus, and external parties, including presentations, bi-monthly newsletter, and webpages.
• Build relationships with program participants, respond to needs, facilitate in-person and online activities, and develop materials that support use of the program.
• Coordinate program assessment and document compliance with various publisher licenses.
• Opportunity to contribute to scholarship, service, and engagement with relevant University and professional communities.
• Opportunity to participate in appropriate professional activities at the local, regional, national, or international level.
• Advance the Library’s values and the goals outlined in the Simon Fraser University Library Academic Plan 2025-30.

QUALIFICATIONS

• A Master’s degree in Library or Information Studies from an ALA accredited program, or its equivalent is required.

While the search committee recognizes that no one candidate is likely to meet all the qualifications in equal measure, the following qualifications are presented in priority order and will be used in the assessment of candidates for the position.

• Demonstrated ability to effectively coordinate, manage, and assess projects or initiatives.
• Demonstrated ability to build respectful, collaborative, and reciprocal relationships with a variety of stakeholders.
• Understanding of the scholarly publishing ecosystem and of information privilege and the ability to identify and address barriers to information access for those unaffiliated with universities.
• Demonstrated ability to provide research support and consultation in a wide range of subjects.
• Some knowledge of the community sector and university-community relationships.
• Demonstrated online and in-person facilitation skills.
• Sustained commitment to and record of engagement in equity, inclusion, and accessibility initiatives.
• Knowledge and record of advancing decolonial activities and Indigenous initiatives.
• Demonstrated interpersonal and intercultural communication skills. These skills include but are not limited to strong listening skills, a collaborative approach, and the curiosity and willingness to ask questions.
• Ability to recognize, respect and work effectively with individuals and groups with diverse perspectives and backgrounds.
• Demonstrated motivation, creativity, and independent work.

TERMS OF APPOINTMENT

This is a full-time, 12-month Librarian appointment, with an anticipated start date in January 2027.

Librarians are members of the SFU Faculty Association. Terms, conditions and benefits of employment are outlined in the Collective Agreement: https://www.sfu.ca/faculty-relations/collectiveagreement.html.

The successful applicant will be appointed at a rank and salary level commensurate with their experience and qualifications. For more information about eligibility and requirements for appointment at each Librarian rank, please see SFU/SFUFA Collective Agreement Articles 36.14 – 36.25. Faculty salaries at SFU are based on the salary scales bargained between the University and the SFU Faculty Association. A reasonable estimate of the salary range for this role is as follows (dependent on experience):

• Librarian 1: $85,619
• Librarian 2: $91,979
• Librarian 3: $104,700 to $136,503
• Librarian 4: $117,421 to $142,863

Current salary scales are available from: https://www.sfu.ca/faculty-relations/salary.html.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. SFU is an equity employer and strongly encourages applications from all qualified individuals including women, Indigenous Peoples, racialized persons, people of all sexual orientations and gender identities, persons with disabilities, and others who may contribute to the further diversification of the University. If you have questions in advance of applying, please send an email to library@sfu.ca

Personal information that forms part of an application is collected under the general authority of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, applicable University Policies, and the SFUFA/SFU Collective Agreement. For further details see the full Collection Notice on the Current Openings webpage.

Information about what to expect when you apply for a librarian position at SFU is available here: https://www.lib.sfu.ca/about/overview/employment/what-expect-librarian-position

TO APPLY:

To be given assured consideration, applications must be submitted by email in one consolidated PDF document with cover letter (1-2 pages) and curriculum vitae by 9:00 am Pacific Time on November 30, 2026. The search committee anticipates that shortlisting and interviews for this position will take place in November and December 2026.

Applications should be submitted to:

Susie Smith
Library Management
W.A.C. Bennett Library
Simon Fraser University
Office Phone: 778-782-4658
Fax: 778-782-3023
Email: library@sfu.ca