Technical Services Assistant

CELA is a national not for profit organization that offers accessible reading services to people with print disabilities in Canada through member public libraries. CELA produces and distributes accessible books in both digital and physical formats, including braille, audiobooks and accessible ebooks. CELA’s collection currently provides access to over 1,000,000 titles.

CELA seeks a Technical Services Assistant for a part-time, fixed-term position from November 15^th – March 31^st 2023, with the possibility of extension through to March 31 2024, depending on funding. Reporting to the Metadata Coordinator, the Technical Services Assistant will assist with cataloguing responsibilities, including creating and editing MARC records for materials in the collection, documenting metadata issues and errors, and cleaning up title metadata. In addition, the Technical Services Assistant will help with digital asset management.

This is an exciting opportunity to have a positive effect on library services and the lives of readers across the country as part of an energetic, supportive, and dynamic team. This position is a virtual opportunity and we welcome applicants from across Canada. For more information about CELA, please visit celalibrary.ca.

Scope and Summary of Primary Responsibilities

• Perform original and copy cataloguing for DAISY audiobooks, electronic and print braille, and ePub materials in CELA’s collection;
• Create MARC records on as-needed basis for CELA’s deposit collection service;
• Document, track and manually fix issues with metadata and/or metadata discrepancies;
• Conduct quality assurance testing for new content added to the catalogue, including checking metadata for accuracy and completeness, testing playback of audiobooks, and testing accessibility features of ePubs;
• Clean and curate bibliographic data for CELA’s bi-monthly newsletter;
• Assist with digital asset management, including organizing files and ensuring metadata is accurate and complete;
• Assist with commercial availability check and communications with publishers and distributors.

Competencies and Qualifications

• Degree in library science or library technician diploma or an equivalent combination of education and/or experience;
• Experience with library cataloguing and metadata creation of material in electronic/digital formats;
• Experience with copy cataloguing and cataloguing principles;
• High attention to detail;
• Ability to work collaboratively and positively with individuals and groups in a distributed work environment;
• Self-directed and able to manage time effectively;
• Commitment to improving the accessibility of public library collections and services across Canada;
• Lived experience with a print disability or other disability  is desirable.

Work Environment

• Fixed term position from November 15, 2022 to March 31, 2023 with a possibility of extension through until March 31, 2024. Position is for 15 hours per week.
• This is a virtual office opportunity and the successful candidate will supply their own home office, computer, and reliable internet access.
• Salary: $25-30/hr
• Reports To: Metadata Coordinator, CELA

How to apply Please send your résumé and cover letter in a single Word or PDF document describing your experience and skills as they apply to this position.  Send to the attention of Megan Toye, Metadata Coordinator at: jobs@celalibrary.ca and quote the job title in the subject line.

Deadline to apply is October 24, 2022 at midnight EDT.

Commitment to a diverse and inclusive working environment

CELA hires on the basis of merit. We are committed to the principle of equity in employment. We welcome diversity and encourage applications from visible minority group members, women, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, persons of minority sexual orientations and gender identities, and others with the skills and knowledge to productively engage with diverse communities. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply, however Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.

To help ensure that this commitment is met, CELA is committed to working with all candidates that require an accommodation. If you require an accommodation, please state in your cover letter what accommodation you require and CELA will work with you to meet your needs at every stage of the recruitment and selection process.

We welcome applicants from across Canada to apply, even if you do not meet every qualification. We thank all applicants for their interest in CELA, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.