Brantford Library Associate​ (PT)

Department: Library 

Job Type: Continuing

Full-time/Part-time: Part Time (>910 hrs/year) 

Campus: Brantford 

Reports to: Desk Services Manager and Head, User and Access Services

Employee Group: PAG 

Application Deadline: November 26, 2025

Requisition ID: 10369 

Wilfrid Laurier University is a leading multi-campus university that excels at educating with purpose. Through its exceptional employees, students, researchers, leaders, and educators, Laurier has built a reputation as a world-class institution known for its rich student experience, academic excellence, and global impact. With a commitment to Indigenization and commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, Laurier’s thriving community has a place for everyone.

Laurier has more than 21,000 students and 2,100 faculty and staff across campuses in Waterloo and Brantford, as well locations in Kitchener and Milton. The university is committed to providing an inclusive workplace, a flexible work policy and employing a workforce that is reflective of local and national demographics. Laurier's Waterloo, Kitchener, and Brantford campuses are located on the shared traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishnaabe, and Haudenosaunee peoples. This land is part of the Dish with One Spoon Treaty between the Haudenosaunee and Anishnaabe peoples and symbolizes the agreement to share, protect our resources, and not to engage in conflict. Laurier's Milton campus is located on the traditional territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit, and part of the Nanfan Treaty of 1701 between the British Crown and the Haudenosaunee Confederacy.

This job posting is for a current vacancy.

Position Summary

Reporting to the Desk Services Manager and the Head, User and Access Services, the incumbent provides library services at the Brantford Campus. The incumbent will also work closely with the Head, Copyright and Course Resources.

Responsibilities consist of providing user and access services through daily, direct contact with students, faculty, staff, alumni, and the public, as well as accessibility services, collection maintenance activities, copyright and course resources services.

Reference services involve assisting, advising and training library users in the identification, evaluation and use of the many and varied services and resources required to meet their research needs. Circulation services involve charging, renewing, and discharging library materials, collecting fines, and creating or updating patron records. Access Services responsibilities consist of lending, resource sharing (Alma AFN requests, inter-library loan), library materials handling and management, digitization, and remediation requests. The incumbent handles print and electronic course resource materials within framework of legislation and policies. The incumbent also works on the coordination and maintenance of library collections and related operations.

The incumbent participates in hiring students and provides direction in maintaining policies and quality of service.

Accountabilities

User Services

• Handles a high volume of requests and multiple simultaneous questions efficiently and effectively
• Interviews and analyzes user needs (students, staff, faculty, the public) and identifies appropriate resources and strategies (electronic and print, across multiple subject disciplines) to meet those needs
• Instructs, assists, and advises Library users in the appropriate use of information resources, search techniques and research strategies
• Provides in-person and remote assistance for students, faculty and staff with disabilities
• Advises Library users on interpreting online borrower records, due times and special conditions related to borrower or item records
• Explains and helps patrons understand and interpret the services and policies of the Laurier Library and Omni member libraries.
• Provides triage service for complicated reference questions and refers the user to the appropriate librarian for further assistance
• Registers, updates records and validates borrower cards for all Laurier users, affiliated researchers, alumni, community borrowers, and other non-standard library users (e.g. TUG joint patrons)
• Charges, renews, and discharges library materials (including AFN and Reserve requests)
• Assists and instructs users on using Library equipment, including printers, photocopiers, public computers, audiovisual playback equipment, accessibility devices, etc.
• Monitors the status of Library equipment, places and follows up on service calls as required

Access Services

• Coordinates loan activities between libraries at Laurier, and other Omni member libraries (Alma AFN), including searching, retrieval, processing and preparation for delivery of books, media, and other materials requested for delivery by users
• Provides assistance in resource sharing with other libraries, including changing the status of items before an item is shipped and after an item is returned.
• Provides assistance (digitization, processing of physical items) for Scan on Demand, Mail on Demand and similar operational tasks
• Scans, creates or remediates documents in-house by reformatting, doing cleanup, and tagging, working closely with the Coordinator, Accessibility Services, follows library guidelines and procedures
• Troubleshoots and resolves problems related to loan activities and patron requests
• Identifies and assesses problems with bibliographic records or meta data identified through handling of materials and refers issues as appropriate
• Troubleshoots items that cannot be circulated, identifies appropriate course of action: (e.g. incorrect barcode applied to item; incorrect location described for the item), and communicates with users and other Library departments to resolve problems
• Coordinates processing of book returns and materials management (e.g. sorting, relabeling, shelf reading)

Collections Management

• Coordinates the physical organization, movement, and maintenance of library materials at the Brantford Campus, including shelving and shelf reading
• Plans and oversees daily operational activities to ensure materials are accurately shelved and accessible to users.
• Collects and maintains operational statistics related to collections activities, producing regular and ad hoc reports to support collections decision-making
• Conducts basic in-house repairs and assesses the physical condition of materials to determine suitability for binding or other preservation actions
• Ensures that library materials are maintained in good condition to support user access and long-term collection sustainability

Copyright and Course Resources

• Working closely with the Head, Copyright and Course Resources, follows library guidelines and procedures and triaging as appropriate
• Coordinates receipt, processing, cataloguing, distribution, and removal of print and electronic course resource materials, ensuring expedient handling and compliance with copyright and related legislation and jurisprudence, license agreements, fair dealing guidelines, and accessibility standards (e.g. AODA)
• Advises faculty, staff, and students on copyright compliance, licensing agreements, fair-dealing guidelines, and the appropriate use of course materials across all formats (print, images, digital, media, etc.)

Administration

• Opens and closes the Library and other designated library spaces and locations, in accordance with established schedules and procedures
• Adheres to specific library policies and procedures when working alone
• Enforces library policies to ensure a safe, respectful, and welcoming environment for all users
• Provides initial response to emergencies and escalates health and safety concerns as appropriate
• Participates in departmental meetings and prepares accurate meeting minutes as required
• Monitors equipment needs and orders departmental supplies to support service continuity
• Compiles departmental statistics and provides basic data analysis to support operational reporting
• Creates, updates, and maintains user-focused learning resources, including information handouts, user guides, signage, and web content
• Assists in the delivery of library outreach and promotional activities, including the development of displays, support for university events and partnerships with external associations
• Assists in developing and documenting guidelines and procedures related to the role and service operations
• Coaches and directs student assistants in maintaining policies, procedures and standards and consistency of service
• Participates in the interviewing, supplemental training and delegating of tasks for library student assistants for access services tasks

Collegiality and Professionalism

• Supports Wilfrid Laurier University’s values, vision, mission, and strategy
• Contributes to a thriving community by consistently demonstrating Laurier’s Employee Success Factors: Collaborative, Inclusive, Innovative, and Accountable
• Maintains up-to-date knowledge of library collections best practices
• Actively participates in ongoing training, professional development, and educational opportunities to enhance skills and stay current with best practices
• Mentors and shares knowledge with colleagues and student employees to support continuous learning and service excellence
• Supports the training of library student assistants by providing supplemental instruction on collections policies, procedures, and service standards
• Contributes to fostering a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment for all library users

Qualifications

• University undergraduate degree
• Related work experience, in a college or university library environment is an asset
• An additional college diploma or technical training in library and information services is considered an asset
• Strong public service interest and skills
• Understanding of and sensitivity to the service needs of Library users with diverse backgrounds, including an understanding of issues related to effective service provision for people with disabilities
• Experience with library specific software and databases is an asset
• Knowledge of Canadian copyright law, licensing principles, and fair-dealing guidelines, particularly as applied within the post-secondary education sector
• Demonstrated understanding of disability-related issues and accessibility needs in a post-secondary context, with applied knowledge of diversity, equity, and relevant legislation (e.g., AODA, Human Rights Code) related to library services
• Understanding of digitization of resources
• Above average computer skills including good knowledge of standard office software (eg. Office 365) and strong bibliographic and Internet searching skills
• Ability to be creative and take initiative in finding solutions to patron queries
• Ability to interact diplomatically with the public, respect the privacy of library users and maintain confidentiality
• Ability to handle pressure, stress and conflict in public service situations calmly, tactfully and with discretion
• Superior communication and listening skills
• Strong organizational skills
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills
• Ability to multitask and set priorities and accomplish tasks effectively
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively as a team member
• Accuracy and attention to detail
• Ability to lift up to 30lbs

Hours of Work: This role is a part-time, continuing position. Flexibility in hours required. The normal hours of work are 20 hours per week, Monday to Friday. This role requires daily in person attendance and is not eligible for a flexible work arrangement as per Policy 8.14 (Flexible Work Policy). 

Compensation:

Level: C

Rate of Pay: $34.73 to $36.73 per hour with an annual step progression on anniversary date up to $39.71 per hour. Considerations for new hire step placements include, qualifications and length/depth of required experience, relevant market rates for similar jobs, internal equity, and estimated learning curve in starting the job. 

Job Factor Scores:

Wilfrid Laurier University endeavors to fill positions with qualified candidates who have a combination of education, experience, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position while demonstrating Laurier's Employee Success Factors.

Equity, diversity and creating a culture of inclusion are part of Laurier’s core values and central to the Laurier Strategy. Laurier is committed to increasing the diversity of faculty and staff and welcomes applications from candidates who identify as Indigenous, racialized, having disabilities, and from persons of any minority sexual and gender identities. Indigenous candidates who would like to learn more about equity and inclusive programing at Laurier are welcomed to contact the Office of Indigenous Initiatives. Candidates from other equity deserving groups who would like to learn more about equity and inclusive programing at Laurier are welcomed to contact Equity & Accessibility. We have strived to make our application process accessible, however if you require any assistance applying for a position or would like this job posting in an alternative format, please contact Human Resources. Contact information can be found at careers.wlu.ca/content/How-to-apply/

Should you be interested in learning more about this opportunity, please visit www.wlu.ca/careers for additional information and the online application system. All applications must be submitted online. Please note, a resume and cover letter will be required in electronic form.