Faculty Positions

Position Title / Rank: Associate Librarian and Manager, Information Literacy

College: McLaughlin Library

Department: Learning and Curriculum Support (L&CS)

Date Posted: November 24, 2022
Deadline: December 9, 2022 or until a suitable candidate is found
Please reference AD #22-78

Position Description:

The McLaughlin Library invites applications from University of Guelph internal applicants, to fill the position of Manager, Information Literacy. This position reports to the Head, Learning & Curriculum Support, and is a member of the library’s operational management team.

Reporting to the Head, Learning and Curriculum Support (L&CS), the Manager, Information Literacy is part of the Learning & Curriculum Support team in the library. This team provides research assistance and support to University of Guelph undergraduate and graduate students, postdoctoral scholars, faculty, and visiting scholars in a variety of modes including one-on-one by-appointment consultations, course-integrated instruction and stand-alone workshops. The Manager is a member of the L&CS team’s operational group and works collaboratively to achieve the strategic goals of the unit and contributes as an active partner in the library and across the University. As an academic appointment, the incumbent is expected to participate in appropriate professional practice, scholarship and service activities.

The incumbent is an active member of the Operations and Management Team (OMT). This forum discusses and implements library budget, overall operations and staffing, library policies and facilitates information sharing across teams.

Core service areas in Information Literacy include:

  • Information Literacy in-class instruction
  • Research assistance consultations
  • Training, expertise, and support to U of G researchers who are conducting knowledge syntheses

Duties of the position:

  • Oversee the coordination, promotion, delivery and assessment of evidence-based and user-centred information literacy and knowledge synthesis programming, eLearning and hybrid content and support services.
  • Formulate strategic priorities and evaluate program operations for Information Literacy in alignment with Library and University strategic plans. This includes but is not limited to:
    • the development of accessible instructional programming to meet AODA (Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act) legislation
    • the coordination and facilitation of information literacy programming and approaches, teaching and learning and student success and retention strategies in collaboration with library and campus partners
  • Oversee a team of 3-4 librarians.
  • Actively participate and contribute to the L&CS Operational Managers Group and cultivate partnerships with colleagues, faculty and staff in instruction, outreach, service planning, development, and assessment.
  • Participate in teaching assignments, instructional activities, and reference consultations. This will comprise 30-40% of professional practice job responsibilities.
  • Identify areas for improvement and work collaboratively to find solutions within an atmosphere of continuous change. Lead the team in developing creative responses and solutions to evolving needs of users by encouraging an environment of flexibility, risk-taking and openness to innovative ideas and practices.
  • Actively engage in feedback and coaching with colleagues and direct reports.
  • Seek different points of view by asking questions, exploring options, and soliciting feedback.
  • Maintain current knowledge and best practices of information literacy, knowledge syntheses, user-centred services, effective and engaging pedagogical practices, assessment of learning, and effective design of eLearning resources.
  • Collaborate with other professionals within the library and broader campus community to design, teach, and evaluate joint programming that integrates diverse areas of expertise.

Required Qualifications:

  • An ALA-accredited MLS/MLIS degree
  • Minimum 3 years’ experience supporting information literacy and/or knowledge syntheses or the equivalent combination of experience and education
  • Demonstrated progressive leadership and/or management/supervisory experience
  • Demonstrated experience in supporting teaching, research, and diverse student learners
  • Demonstrated leadership and program management skills; ability to make strategic, learner-centred decisions
  • Proven ability to cultivate and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with a variety of stakeholders and demonstrated experience in team building, motivational and change management
  • Excellent time management skills, with an ability to organize and prioritize multiple tasks and competing priorities
  • Self-awareness and ability to work cooperatively and collaboratively
  • Superior teaching, oral communication (speaking, presenting), writing, evidence-based decision making and interpersonal skills

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Experience applying principles of equity, diversity and inclusion to programming and services
  • Experience in administration of information literacy services and support
  • Courses, training or experience in curriculum design, universal design for learning, information literacy and/or knowledge synthesis
  • Previous supervisory or management experience within a unionized environment
  • Strong interest and enthusiasm for information literacy and pedagogy
  • Engagement with Indigenous teaching and learning and Indigenous peoples’ perspectives and ways of knowing
  • Experience supporting a range of user needs, such as those of English as an additional language learners, mature students and/or people with disabilities
  • Demonstrated knowledge and experience in Accessibility best practices, creating eLearning content, and/or emerging learning technologies

The University of Guelph is the third largest employer in Guelph, a city of approximately 130,000 people, located about an hour drive west of Toronto, Ontario. University of Guelph is a top-ranked comprehensive university in Canada with an enrolment of over 30,000 undergraduate and graduate students across over 40 academic units. The University is known for its commitment to student learning, innovative research, and collaboration with world-class partners. It is a unique place, with transformative research and teaching and a distinctive campus culture. People who learn and work here are shaped and inspired by a shared purpose: To Improve Life. Reflecting that shared purpose in every experience connected to our university positions us to create positive change, here and around the world. Our university community shares a profound sense of social responsibility, a drive for international development, and an obligation to address global issues.

Application Process

Assessment of applications will begin December 12, 2022 and will continue until the position is filled. Interested applicants should submit the following materials:

  • A statement of interest and vision for the position demonstrating how their qualifications and experience relate to the responsibilities, duties and required qualifications of the position,
  • A curriculum vitae, and
  • Names of at least three references, including one direct supervisor, one peer/collaborator, and one direct report; all for either most recent or immediately prior position. (References will not be contacted without consent)

Please submit application as a single PDF by email to libhire@uoguelph.ca by end of day December 9, 2022.

This position is a Continuing Appointment-track position that will be filled at the Associate Librarian Level. The Manager, Information Literacy role is a five-year administrative appointment (renewable once) with a stipend at the Administrative Librarian II Level.

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

The University recognizes that applicants may have had obligations outside of work that have negatively impacted their record of achievements (e.g., parental, elder care, and/or medical). You are not required to disclose these obligations in the hiring process. If you choose to do so, the University will ensure that these obligations do not negatively impact the assessment of your qualifications for the position.

The University of Guelph resides on the ancestral lands of the Attawandaron people and the treaty lands and territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit and we offer our respect to our Anishinaabe, Haudenosaunee and Métis neighbours as we strive to strengthen our relationships with them.

At the University of Guelph, fostering a culture of inclusion (https://uoguel.ph/ox2p9) is an institutional imperative. The University invites and encourages applications from all qualified individuals, including from groups that are traditionally underrepresented in employment, who may contribute to further diversification of our Institution.

If you require a medical accommodation during the recruitment or selection process, please contact Occupational Health and Wellness at 519-824-4120 x52674.