Toronto Metropolitan University invites applications for an innovative, experienced, and knowledgeable library leader to serve in the position of Head Librarian, TMU School of Medicine, effective as soon as possible. This is a five year administrative appointment with possibility of renewal for a second term, with a concurrent career librarian position at the rank of Librarian III.
Brampton/Peel and its surrounding communities, are part of the Treaty Lands of the Mississaugas of the Credit. We acknowledge that these lands are also the shared space of Anishinabek, Huron-Wendat, Haudenosaunee, Ojibway/Chippewa and Métis peoples.
We honour the Indigenous peoples who cared for this land for thousands of years before us, and commit to valuing the Two Row Wampum. This Living Treaty represents settlers and Indigenous peoples moving forward together, in parallel, respecting each other’s ways of being, knowing and doing.
We honour the Dish with One Spoon Treaty, and in this spirit we strive to treat the land and people of our community with mutual respect, taking only what we need and sharing what is available to ensure sustainability for those that follow us.
In recognition of the under-representation of racialized and Indigenous persons in academic librarian roles, the University Libraries especially welcome applications from racialized and Indigenous persons and such candidates are encouraged to self identify through our Applicant Diversity Self-ID questionnaire, accessible through our Recruitment Portal (link below).
The Head Librarian has the unique opportunity to envision and create a new Library that will be part of TMU’s unique new School of Medicine (SoM), scheduled to commence enrollment at its Brampton campus in Fall 2025. Toronto Metropolitan University’s School of Medicine is being designed from the ground up to shift the paradigm of healthcare delivery and improve the well-being of individuals, families and communities. With a community-driven, intentionally inclusive approach, the new School will train doctors whose cultural awareness and humility are as crucial as their medical skills. TMU’s School of Medicine will draw on the university’s commitment to community, equity, and innovation to address rapidly changing healthcare needs. The School will train a new generation of physicians who are ready to learn, to adapt, and ultimately to be agents of change.
Working within the innovative TMU Libraries system, the Head Librarian will work closely with other Department Heads and other Leadership Team members, liaison librarians, and expert staff, to provide vision, strategic direction, and planning to position the new SoM Library service as a vital resource for scholarship, teaching, education and innovation. Reporting to the Dean of Libraries and liaising with the Dean of Medicine and Medical School clinical faculty, the Head Librarian will be responsible for the academic leadership, administrative planning and creative oversight of the SoM Library services and contribute to the overall strategic directions and operations of the TMU Libraries. As a new branch library within the Toronto Metropolitan University Libraries system, the position responsibilities will include creating a services and staffing plan, participating in physical space planning, and developing a robust collection to meet the unique programming and scholarship, research, and creative activities (SRC) needs of the School of Medicine. The Head will also be responsible for development and delivery of integrated and customized instructional programs tailored to build the medical research and digital technology skills of medical students, while leveraging experiential learning opportunities. In addition, the Head will ensure that clinical faculty members working in the area of medical research have the resources and support they need to advance and mobilize their SRC.
The Head Librarian, leading a team of staff and managing new services and supports, will provide creative, forward focussed and nimble programming and services that meet the unique needs of Toronto Metropolitan University’s new School of Medicine. They will participate in outreach and communication activities to engage clinical faculty, students and the community; help advance SRC and the Library’s role in open education, open access and scholarly communication; build partnerships and community connections; and contribute to advancing the profile and reputation of TMU’s new School of Medicine and the Toronto Metropolitan University Libraries. Other administrative responsibilities include ensuring ongoing accreditation, support for new courses and evolving pedagogy, strategic planning (TMU Libraries, School of Medicine, University etc.), evaluation and assessment and reporting activities (in collaboration with the Assessment Librarian and others), and participation in and advising on, financial planning and budgeting, and strategic priorities and operational enhancements. The Head Librarian will represent the Libraries on issues relevant to the portfolio and will be actively engaged with aligned organizations in the wider community. The Head Librarian will actively contribute to academic health sciences librarianship through professional affiliations, collegial networking and scholarship/research endeavours. Additional librarian duties may be required as the School of Medicine evolves.
The successful candidate must be a graduate of an accredited library school with a MLS/MLIS/MISt degree or acceptable ALA recognized equivalent. In addition, the candidate must present evidence of the following:
- Demonstrated leadership and management skills. Candidates with a minimum of three years administrative, managerial and supervisory experience in an academic library setting are strongly preferred.
- Minimum five years’ experience as a Librarian II or equivalent.
- Experience working in an academic health sciences context.
- Knowledge of emerging developments/trends in academic health sciences libraries.
- Experience demonstrating broad understanding of issues in medical education, research and scholarship.
- Capacity to thrive in an environment of rapid development and to nurture that capacity in others.
- Experience using a collaborative approach to develop community?centered services with demonstrated outcomes.
- Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and practices and attitudes that advance these University and community values
- Commitment to the Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Report and the University’s and the profession’s responsibilities in this action.
- Experience in collection development of both electronic and traditional health sciences materials while working with appropriate tools, medical resources and publishers, as well as in implementing both the necessary supportive services to sustain and support the use of these collections.
- Relationship building skills and experience creating and fostering a positive working environment.
- Experience providing reference services and developing and offering information literacy sessions.
- Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills.
- Demonstrated planning, decision making and problem solving skills.
- Ability to manage competing priorities in a flexible and timely manner.
- The successful candidate will have a strong service orientation, the ability to manage a diverse workload, excellent attention to detail, and a commitment to innovation and continuous learning.
In addition, candidates possessing the following will be preferred:
- Knowledge related to assessment/metrics appropriate to a library setting.
- Understanding of scholarly communication including open access publishing, journal evaluation and research impact.
- Relevant research experience and expertise.
Our committee recognizes that scholars have varying career paths and that career interruptions can be part of an excellent academic record. Candidates are encouraged to provide any relevant information about their experience and/or career interruptions.
Salary: In accordance with Article 16.4 of the collective agreement, the current salary minimum for a Librarian III is $94,386.58. Salary will be commensurate with experience and will increase annually by: i) an Across-the-Board increase and ii) one Career Development Increment (CDI) for satisfactory service and conditional upon receipt of the member’s annual report.
Benefits: Extended health, vision, dental, insurance, tuition waiver benefits and access to the Toronto Metropolitan University Retirement Pension Plan. Five weeks vacation per completed year of service. Sixteen professional development days per year.
Location of Work: Downtown Toronto for 2024/25; School of Medicine in Brampton as of spring/summer 2025.
TMU Libraries
A vibrant and innovative centre of exploration, research, creation and learning, TMU Libraries are positioned at the core of the University’s academic, research and community engagement goals. The Libraries support a diverse community of learners and instructors, researchers and scholars, and community experts and entrepreneurs, and is a hub of interdisciplinary scholarly, research, and creative (SRC) activities. The dedicated team of more than 100 talented individuals supports a growing academic community, including new campuses and a growing number of international students. In addition to our main campus Library, TMU Libraries includes a Law Library branch. TMU Libraries provide crucial academic learning, creation and research resources, programs, services and spaces. Its unique blend of expertise and programming, coupled with access to leading edge technology and an array of information resources, fosters a rich academic environment, supporting the University’s complement of degree programs, and advancing research and discovery, and community outreach and engagement.
The Libraries are committed to the TRC Calls to Action and are actively exploring ways to decolonize our work and these efforts are further supported by the Mash Koh Wee Kah Pooh Win (Standing Strong Task Forc e) recommendations and the University’s in process renaming initiative. Our ongoing commitment to equity and community inclusion continue to shape and reaffirm our values and priorities as a Library and University.
Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU)
Serving a highly diverse student population of over 45,000, with 100+ undergraduate and graduate programs built on the integration of theoretical and practical learning and distinguished by a professionally focussed curriculum with a strong emphasis on excellence in teaching, research and creative activities, TMU is a vibrant, urban university known for its culture of innovation, entrepreneurship, community engagement and city-building through its award-winning architecture.
Working at TMU
At the intersection of mind and action, Toronto Metropolitan University is on a transformative path to become Canada’s leading comprehensive innovation university. At TMU, we believe that equity, diversity and inclusion are integral to this path; our current academic plan outlines each as core values and we work to embed them in all that we do.
Dedicated to a people first culture, TMU is proud to rank number one on the Forbes list of Canada’s Best Employers for Diversity.
TMU is committed to accessibility for persons with disabilities. To find out more about legal and policy obligations please visit the Accessibility and Human Rights websites.
Toronto Metropolitan University welcomes those who have demonstrated a commitment to upholding the values of equity, diversity, and inclusion and will assist us to expand our capacity for diversity in the broadest sense. In addition, to correct the conditions of disadvantage in employment in Canada, we encourage applications from members of groups that have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples, Indigenous peoples of North America, Black-identified persons, other racialized persons, persons with disabilities, and those who identify as women and/or 2SLGBTQ+.
How to Apply
Applicants must submit their application online via the Recruitment Portal [https://hr.cf.torontomu.ca/ams/faculty/ ] by clicking on “Start Application Process” to begin.Applications must be received by July 4 2024. The position will remain open until filled. Applications must consist of the following:
- a letter of application;
- a curriculum vitae; and
- names of three individuals who may be contacted for references.
Please note that all qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, applications from Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority, in accordance with Canadian immigration regulations.
Contacts
Any confidential inquiries about the opportunity can be directed to the Librarian Appointment Committee Chair Dana Thomas at [email protected] .
For any confidential accommodation needs in order to participate in the recruitment and selection process and/or inquiries regarding accessing the Recruitment Portal, please contact [email protected] .
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