The University of Waterloo Library seeks a creative and collegial librarian for the position of Head, Collection Development. Reporting to the Associate University Librarian, Collections, Technology, and Scholarly Communication, the incumbent will lead the department of 8 staff that has responsibilities for acquisitions, electronic resources management, collections assessment, copyright, and licensing. The Head works collaboratively to lead the development of strategies for information resource collections in evolving digital and physical environments. The Head is responsible for the overarching processes and policies associated with the Library’s collection in all formats and throughout the collection management lifecycle to support the research, teaching and learning of the University. The Head serves a critical role in developing and overseeing fiscally responsible approaches to collection acquisitions and licensing, ensuring strategic, responsible, and efficient expenditure of a $11 million collections budget. The successful candidate will have a clear vision for the future of collection development and management in academic libraries.
The University of Waterloo Library is a member of the Canadian Association of Research Libraries (CARL), the Association of Research Libraries (ARL), the Coalition for Networked Information (CNI), and the Ontario Council of University Libraries (OCUL). The incumbent will work with OCUL libraries as we transition towards enhanced collaboration on a shared library platform through the OCUL Collaborative Futures project. The Library is a member of the Tri-University Group (TUG), along with member libraries at the University of Guelph and Wilfrid Laurier University, serving a combined student population of over 76,000. The Tri-University Group manages shared technology and a remote storage facility, and enables collaborative projects across the three library systems.
The successful candidate will be responsible for:
- Fostering a collegial and collaborative environment
- Mentoring, coaching, developing and directing staff
- Providing proactive leadership and oversight
- for the development of innovative and effective collection development and assessment methodologies and workflows, and associated training
- for the Library’s strategy on license negotiation and renewal efforts
- for electronic resources management
- Maintaining good vendor relationships
- Ensuring strategic, responsible and efficient expenditure of the collections budget in collaboration with the Associate University Librarian, Collections, Technology, and Scholarly Communication, the Financial Administrator and the Collections Strategy Committee
- Working with the Collections Strategy Committee and in consultation with librarians, providing proactive leadership and oversight for the development of overarching processes and policies that govern the development of the Library’s collections in all formats and throughout their lifecycle
- Working closely with librarians to understand and respond effectively to the collection needs and preferences of faculty and students across academic disciplines
- Ensuring ongoing collaboration and communication with library staff and the library community on issues related to collections work and strategy
- Leading and coordinating projects
- Serving as a member of the Library Managers Group
Qualifications:
- ALA-accredited MLS/MLIS degree, or equivalent
- Demonstrated progressive responsibility and experience in leadership and management with a proven track record of achievement and success in a library setting, including staff development and coaching
- Extensive knowledge of collection development principles and best practices, collection management processes, and assessment, throughout the collection lifecycle
- Demonstrated experience with financial reporting and analysis; budget development
- Demonstrated ability to lead change, and to identify and evaluate new opportunities effectively and efficiently
- Demonstrated experience with license negotiation and management of electronic resources, preferably in the context of higher education
- Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a service oriented environment, which values collaboration and collegiality, including interacting in a respectful and sensitive manner
- Knowledge of current practices and trends in the areas of collection development and management, discovery, assessment, and scholarly communication in the higher education sector
- Demonstrated ability to plan, coordinate, and implement effective projects
- Knowledge of Canadian copyright as it applies in an academic learning environment
- Excellent communication skills, both oral and written
- Evidence of professional contributions in the LIS community
For a full job description and technical requirements see: Head, Collection Development (PDF)
Compensation:
The salary for this position will be commensurate with experience qualifications within the USG 13 salary level. Please refer to UWaterloo pay scales (PDF).
Additional information:
We welcome interested candidates to connect directly with Alison Hitchens, Associate University Librarian, Collections, Technology, and Scholarly Communication, to learn more about this exciting position. Alison may be reached at +1-519-888-4567 ext. 45980 or by email at ahitchen@uwaterloo.ca.
Librarians' Employment Handbook (PDF): This document outlines the rules and procedures around promotion and professional development.
Interviews are expected to be held beginning in mid to late October 2018.
To apply:
To apply go to external opportunities at Careers at Waterloo.
Deadline for applications: for assured consideration, applications should be received by Sept. 20th, 2018.
Employment equity: The University respects, appreciates and encourages diversity. We invite applications from all interested applicants. Citizens and Permanent Residents of Canada will be given priority.
In just half a century, the University of Waterloo, located at the heart of Canada’s technology hub, has become a leading comprehensive university with more than 36,000 full- and part-time students in undergraduate and graduate programs.
Consistently ranked Canada’s most innovative university, Waterloo is home to advanced research and teaching in science and engineering, mathematics and computer science, health, environment, arts and social sciences. From quantum computing and nanotechnology to clinical psychology and health sciences research, Waterloo brings ideas and brilliant minds together, inspiring innovations with real impact today and in the future.
As home to the world's largest post-secondary co-operative education program, Waterloo embraces its connections to the world and encourages enterprising partnerships in learning, research, and commercialization. With campuses and education centres on four continents, and academic partnerships spanning the globe, Waterloo is shaping the future of the planet.
For more information about Waterloo, please visit the University of Waterloo website.
