Head, Discovery & Access : Permanent, tenure track position to be filled at either the Assistant or Associate Librarian rank

University of Guelph Library

April 2, 2010

Position Description:

The University of Guelph Library has recently engaged in an open, collaborative process of organizational redesign, and is building a dynamic team-based culture able to respond to rapidly changing user needs and technologies. Our vision is to be central to the university community as a valued partner, facilitator, and catalyst for learning, research, and knowledge creation on campus.  We are committed to actively fostering an environment that encourages innovation, agility, collaboration, and exceptional service to our community.

To help us fulfill our vision, the Library is seeking a dynamic, experienced librarian to join our senior management team as the Head of the newly-formed Discovery & Access (D&A) strategic area. Discovery & Access is responsible for a suite of inter-related services, systems, and tools connecting users with Library resources and services. The Head will provide leadership for user experience design, web development, electronic resources management, reference, e-learning operations and reserves, circulation and interlibrary services, and the Library Centre for Students with Disabilities. These teams are dedicated to improving the total user experience, in-person and online,  by designing and delivering user services grounded in a deep and evolving understanding of user behaviours, expectations and needs.

The Head of Discovery & Access manages, and is supported by, an experienced team of 5 librarians, 2 professional staff managers, and a staff coordinator. Indirect reports include 22 staff positions and 60+ work study students. The Head of D&A will promote and enable collaborative program and service development to ensure a positive and productive user experience for the campus community. He or she will have strong vision and practise shared leadership with the ability to create and foster innovation in a diverse team and rapidly evolving service areas.

As a member of the Library Management Team, and reporting to the Associate Chief Librarian for Research and Access, the Head will contribute to library-wide strategic and budgetary planning and policy making, and will work to align the goals, services and activities of D&A with the strategic goals of the Library and the University.

As a Librarian, the Head will work within the terms and conditions of employment as governed by the “Collective Agreement between the University of Guelph and the University of Guelph Faculty Association.” As such a Librarian’s responsibilities are comprised of: professional practice (described above); University service and academic or professional service; and, scholarship, which includes research, study, professional development, and scholarly and creative activities.

Environment:

The University of Guelph is one of the country’s top ranked comprehensive universities. It has a current enrollment of 21,000 students participating in programs that span the natural and physical sciences, social sciences and humanities. The University has a distinctive educational philosophy that is both learner-centred and research-intensive, and emphasizes a collaborative approach to learning. A strong sense of community and common purpose also distinguishes the University of Guelph and creates opportunities for campus and community engagement that are truly rewarding and have great impact.  

The University of Guelph Library is a progressive, collegial workplace with a long tradition of service excellence, technological innovation, and highly successful collaborative ventures. The Library’s reorganization is reflective of its newly-articulated values and vision. Our core values include learning, service, intellectual freedom, stewardship of and access to resources, innovation, communication and integrity. Our team-based management philosophy seeks to create a learning organization which practices shared leadership, innovation, personal leadership, and strong communication and collaboration. We provide a supportive environment for service, professional development and scholarship, and our professionals are very engaged in these activities. We also understand the importance of work-life balance and provide the necessary flexibility to accommodate life’s demands and events.

For more information about the University of Guelph Library and what it is like to join our team please see http://www.lib.uoguelph.ca/about/recruitment.cfm For details about our organizational renewal initiative please see: http://www.lib.uoguelph.ca/about/components/documents/organizational_renewal_2009.pdf.

Qualities of the Successful Candidate:

• Highly developed leadership skills
  
• A commitment to working in a collaborative team environment within a learning organization
• Excellent interpersonal, oral and written communications skills

• Creative thinking and problem-solving abilities

• An established record of professional achievement including a demonstrated ability to engage in scholarship and service to the profession and the community

• A strategic understanding and knowledge of emerging library and information technologies and trends in the academic library environment
• An understanding of trends in higher education and their impact on library services

Qualifications:

An ALA-accredited M.L.S. degree is required. 

A minimum of five years of experience as a professional librarian, including significant work experience in at least one of the discovery and access service areas, with increasing levels of responsibility including management of projects, resources, and staff.

Salary and Compensation:

This permanent, tenure-track position will be filled at the Assistant or Associate Librarian level. The base salary for this position will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. The position includes an additional Administrative Librarian III annual base stipend of $10,500 that is added to the base salary. The term for the administrative appointment is 5 years, renewable once.

Total salary range: $90K to $110K.

The University of Guelph offers both competitive salaries and comprehensive benefits. To find out more about our total compensation package please see: http://www.uoguelph.ca/facultyjobs/join_salary.shtml.

Application Procedure:

Please submit a resumé, the names of at least three referees and a broad statement of interest in the position by April 2, 2010 to:

Sandra Shore
Personnel and Administration
University of Guelph Library
50 Stone Road E., Guelph, ON  N1G 2W1

Email:  sshore@uoguelph.ca
Fax:  (519) 824-6931

All candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.