University Librarian

Brock University is searching for a new University Librarian to provide vision, leadership, and strategic direction to all aspects of library operations at Brock.

The Organization

Brock University was established in 1964 and located on the traditional lands of the Haudenosaunee and Anishinaabe peoples on territory covered by the Upper Canada Treaties and protected by the Dish with One Spoon Wampum Agreement. Brock serves its community as a cultural, academic and recreational centre, bringing excellent facilities to the people who created the University all those years ago. The University is committed to building their community and to fostering an environment that serves their students and their neighbours. With a student population of almost 19,000, approximately 1,500 ongoing employees, and a network of over 100,000 accomplished alumni, Brock has earned a reputation as a modern and innovative comprehensive institution.

Recently, Brock was named one of Forbes Top Employers for 2023 through an independent survey of more than 12,000 Canadian employees working for companies with more than 500 employees.

The Role

The University Librarian oversees the Brock library system, including the James A. Gibson Library, Map, Data & GIS Library, and Special Collections and Archives, which play a central role in academic life and community of the University. They prioritize the scholarly, research and professional pursuits of patrons and maintain the Library as the information and knowledge sharing hub of the university by providing physical and virtual collaborative learning spaces and information access points. They ensure the Library provides comprehensive access to collections in all formats, leading-edge technology, and expert information discovery skills training for students and faculty. They promote learning and encourage the development of life-long learning skills, along with awareness about the place of libraries in our communities. They also oversee the management, planning, and development of services, budget, programs and collections of the Library and Archives.

Reporting to the Provost and Vice-President, Academic, the University Librarian is an integral part of the Senior Administrative Council, actively supporting the University’s vision and championing the Library's role, while creating a library and learning environment that aligns with institutional strategy. They provide innovative vision, strategic leadership, and oversee all aspects of library operations, ensuring the Library serves as an essential partner in teaching, learning, research, and community building at Brock. They will be a champion for fostering collaborative partnerships, and will advocate for services, resources, and people to provide the key elements for success including, environment, innovation, collections, technology. The University Librarian leads a team of 52 staff members, including 20 professional librarians, and manage an annual budget of approximately $8 million. They ensure that the Library fulfills its crucial role in supporting the needs of hundreds of professors and more than 18,000 students across seven Faculties.

As the University Librarian, you will be the face of the Brock Library, representing Brock both internally and externally. This involves establishing connections and collaborating with networks and consortia, such as the Ontario Council of University Libraries (OCUL), Canadian Association of Research Libraries (CARL), the Canadian Research Knowledge Network (CRKN), and the Centre for Research Libraries (CRL).

Key responsibilities include:

• Strategic leadership, setting direction and ensuring quality of Library services and initiatives. Overall responsibility for fiscal management of Library budgets and resources. Providing leadership to librarians and managers in the provision of core operations and initiatives. Fostering innovation in research, teaching, and learning practices in collaboration with campus partners. Establishment of productive internal and external relationships and communications. Acting as a part of the senior administrative team at Brock University.

• Other duties as requested by the Provost and Vice-President, Academic.

The Ideal Candidate

The successful candidate will be an experienced librarian and strategic leader, with a commitment to Indigenization and EDI and a transparent and consultative management style. They are a passionate library advocate and caring leader with integrity. They will understand evolving trends in university libraries and archives and have a track record of improving and innovating in library settings, with a commitment to community-oriented services. They are an evidence-informed decision maker that has a record of building strong, trusting, and effective relationships across administrative and faculty departments.

Qualifications and Experience

• An ALA accredited Master of Library and Information Science or equivalent. Demonstrated career progression as a librarian or archivist. Strong understanding of core library operations and emerging trends in information service, open education, instruction, collections, digital initiatives, research support, and archives. Demonstrated commitment to Indigenization; equity, diversity and inclusion; accessibility; and sustainability in libraries. A strong record of scholarship, research, teaching, and/or service. Understanding of licensing and Canadian copyright issues. Demonstrated understanding of human-centred library assessment. Demonstrated ability to manage a significant budget and act as a champion for library resource needs. Understanding of library donations and the ability to secure funding from a variety of sources.

Attributes

• Exceptional communication skills, with the ability to be persuasive while speaking to different audiences. A consultative leadership style, able to lead through complex situations authenticity and transparency. The ability to face challenges and to exercise integrity, flexibility, and wisdom. The ability to work collegially and effectively within a unionized environment, building trusting relationships both internally and externally. Creativity, empathy, compassion, and curiosity.

We will provide support in the recruitment processes to applicants with disabilities, including accommodation that considers an applicant’s accessibility needs. If you require accommodation to participate as a candidate in the recruitment process, please contact accommodate@kbrs.ca

If you are interested in this opportunity, contact Debra Clinton at dclinton@kbrs.ca, Kyle Steele at ksteele@kbrs.ca, or Dr. Jennie Massey at jmassey@kbrs.ca or submit your full application package online at: https://www.kbrs.ca/Career/17590