Liaison Librarian, Science (Full-time Continuing Track)

Faculty/Academic Area: Library 

Department: N/A 

Campus: Waterloo 

Employee Group: WLUFA 

Requisition ID: 7193 

Description

Wilfrid Laurier University Library is seeking a librarian to fill a full-time, continuing track appointment as a Liaison Librarian providing services to various program areas for the Faculty of Science. Primary duties will include collection development and management, reference consultations, instruction, research support and faculty liaison for a selection of program areas within the Sciences. This position will be appointed at the Waterloo campus. The incumbent will also serve other Laurier campus locations where Faculty of Science offers programming. Please note that travel may be involved.

The Laurier Library has a total staff of 53, including 21 librarians, and provides access to over 70,000 full-text online journals, indexes and e-books and more than 1.2 million print volumes. As part of the Omni Group of Libraries, Laurier students, faculty and staff may use and borrow materials from 16 member libraries across Ontario, including from local partners, the University of Guelph and the University of Waterloo libraries. The Laurier Library has a strategic partnership with the Brantford Public Library to provide services and materials to users on the Laurier Brantford campus.  The Laurier Library serves over 20,000 students in a multi-campus environment at the Waterloo campus, the Faculty of Social Work in Kitchener, and the Brantford campus. 

Wilfrid Laurier University is a leading Canadian university known for academic excellence and a culture that inspires lives of leadership and purpose.  The University offers undergraduate and graduate programs through the Faculties of Arts, Education, Music, Science and Social Work, the Lazaridis School of Business and Economics, and the affiliated Martin Luther University College on the Waterloo campus, Social Work at the Kitchener campus and interdisciplinary programs at the Brantford campus. Laurier has a distinct commitment to teaching, research, and scholarship, combined with a strong student focus, high levels of student satisfaction and a deep sense of community.  Laurier’s innovative educational model purposefully integrates the academic learning experience with an experiential learning component. 

Responsibilities

•            Provides research assistance and support for students and faculty in science, covering science disciplines and program areas, including providing back up in Science and other areas.

•            Manages print and electronic collections in science for designated departments/programs

•            Provides research assistance and/or referrals for statistics and data sources.

•            Work may include some evenings and weekend hours.

•            Provides proactive outreach and liaison services to support faculty, students and staff in Faculty of Science, and to promote library collections and services in designated departments/programs.

•            Delivers in-person and online library instruction to students, faculty, and staff.

•            Provides research assistance and /or referrals for knowledge synthesis work, including scoping and systematic reviews.

•            Develops and maintains library user guides, course web pages and learning objects (including video tutorials.)

•            Provides research assistance and/or referrals to faculty for research metrics and impact, and bibliometrics.

•            Engages with faculty, students and researchers on emerging forms of scholarship, including Open Science and Scholarly Communication.

•            Serves on library and university committees.

•            Trains other library staff on resources and topics related to science.

•            Participates in research and/or professional activity.

•            Participates in shared library projects and activities.

Qualifications

Required

•            ALA accredited MLIS or equivalent.

•            Demonstrable overall understanding of current library practice, including collection management, reference, and instructional services.

•            Demonstrated knowledge of trends and issues in science librarianship.

•            Demonstrated ability to support the research needs of science students and faculty.

•            Familiarity with delivering in-person and online instruction/training.

•            Demonstrated ability to take initiative and to develop creative ideas.

•            Demonstrated ability to manage a diverse and varied workload and to work effectively in a fast-paced, changing environment.

•            Strong computer literacy, including web page creation and editing, online learning object creation, and ability to learn new technologies quickly.

•            Demonstrated excellent oral and written communication skills.

•            Demonstrated ability to form successful and collaborative relationships with diverse colleagues, faculty, students, and staff.

•            Excellent organizational and time management skills.

•            Demonstrated ability to work both independently and collaboratively as part of a team.

•            Demonstrated understanding of and commitment to equity and inclusion.

•            Understanding of accessibility best practices and AODA standards.

Preferred

•            Degree, diploma, or certification in science

•            Master’s degree in a related discipline

•            Experience with Science Databases (including Web of Science, SciFinder, IEEE, ACM, etc...)

•            Experience providing liaison services

•            Demonstrated ability to support the research needs of students and faculty in one or more of the following areas: chemistry, computer science, mathematics, physics or other physical or applied science.

•            Familiarity with and training or experience in scholarly communication, such as Open Science, bibliometrics, and Open Access

•            Experience with collection management

•            Work experience in an academic or special library

•            Familiarity with the ACRL Framework for Information Literacy and experience providing library instruction

•            Professional or scholarly activity

Appointment and Compensation

The Liaison Librarian, Science position is a full-time, continuing track appointment which will be available from July 1, 2024. The appointment will be made at a level commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Salary, benefits, and terms of employment are governed by the Collective Agreement between Wilfrid Laurier University and Wilfrid Laurier University Faculty Association for Full-time Faculty and Professional Librarians, available at: The Agreements - WLUFA.  Salary will be commensurate with experience and skills.

Application Procedure

Applicants should send (1) a curriculum vitae; (2) a cover letter; (3) details (name, position title, organization) and contact information (telephone and email address) for three referees.

Applications can be addressed to:

Scott Gillies

University Librarian

Please send the application package via email to Anne Linkletter, Senior Administrative Officer, c/o ULAdmin@wlu.ca. Applications must be received by 11:59 pm (EST), Friday, May 17, 2024.

Diversity and creating a culture of inclusion is a key pillar of Wilfrid Laurier University’s Strategic Plan and is one of Laurier’s core values. Laurier is committed to increasing the diversity of faculty and staff and welcomes applications from qualified members of the equity-deserving groups. Indigenous candidates who would like to learn more about equity and inclusive programming at Laurier are welcome to contact the Office of Indigenous Initiatives at indigenous@wlu.ca.  Candidates from other equity-deserving groups who would like to learn more about equity and inclusive programming at Laurier are welcome to contact Equity and Accessibility at equity@wlu.ca.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, as per Canadian immigration laws, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. To comply with the Government of Canada’s reporting requirements, the University is obligated to gather information about applicants’ status as either Permanent Residents of Canada or Canadian citizens. Applicants need not identify their country of origin or current citizenships, however, all applicants must include one of the following statements in their cover letter:

Yes, I am a current citizen or permanent resident of Canada;

No, I am not a current citizen or permanent resident of Canada.

Members of designated groups must self-identify to be considered for employment equity. Candidates may self-identify, in confidence, to: Anne Linkletter, Senior Administrative Officer (alinkletter@wlu.ca). Further information on the equity policy can be found at https://www.wlu.ca/about/governance/assets/resources/8.4-employment-equity.html.

To obtain a copy of this job description in an accessible format, please contact Anne Linkletter (alinkletter@wlu.ca).

The Library wishes to thank all applicants for their interest. All nominations and applications shall be reviewed and considered under a set of criteria established by the Search Committee and a shortlist of candidates shall be interviewed. Only those applicants selected for the shortlist will be contacted.

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 CV and letter of introduction will be required in electronic form.