Position Description:

The McLaughlin Library at the University of Guelph invites applications for a 
dynamic, creative, collaborative archivist or librarian to fill the position of 
head, Archival & Special Collections (A&SC), and digital archivist. 
This senior leadership position reports to the Associate University Librarian, 
Research, and is a member of the library’s management team. The head, A&SC, 
and digital archivist will provide strategic leadership and oversight for the 
A&SC team, while also establishing strategies and workflows to support the 
acquisition, appraisal, processing, curation, preservation, discovery of, and 
access to born-digital and digitized materials.

A&SC supports research and teaching on campus, offering a passageway to the 
cultural, social, physical, and political history of the Guelph region and the 
University's founding colleges. The collection, measuring approximately 8000 
linear meters, includes eight main collecting areas: agricultural history and 
rural heritage, culinary, Lucy Mau d Montgomery, the LW Conolly Theatre 
Archives, landscape architecture, Scottish studies, rare books, and regional 
and early campus history. The department recently re-opened a newly renovated 
reading room and exhibit gallery on the second floor of McLaughlin Library, as 
well as newly expanded storage space and the Scottish Studies Foundation 
Digitization room on the lower level.

The head, A&SC, and digital archivist promotes the vision of the library as 
being central to the University community as a valued facilitator, partner, and 
catalyst on campus. The core values that drive our vision are learning, 
service, intellectual freedom, stewardship, access, innovation, communication, 
and integrity. At the McLaughlin Library, we have recently implemented a new 
management framework to provide clarity around the expectations of library 
managers and to develop a shared understanding of library management practices. 
In support of this framework, the Library Management Team (LMT) is committed to 
supporting the incumbent to develop the necessary skills and aptitudes to 
succeed in the role by providing training, mentorship, and professional 
development opportunities.

RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES

Head, Archival & Special Collections

Oversee a team of eight to thirteen that includes professional librarians and 
archivists, assistants, support staff, and part-time student staff.
Provide strategic leadership and oversight for the staff and operations of the 
A&SC team, including collection development; organization, maintenance and 
preservation of collections; reference and instruction; promotion and outreach 
services; development of digitization projects; cultivation of donor relations; 
budget management; workflow coordination and human resources management; and 
operational management of the department’s physical facilities.
Act as a primary contact with donors, academic and community users and 
visitors, vendors, library and University personnel and a broad range of other 
library and archival organizations in all matters relating to the acquisition, 
preservation, and use of the library’s archival and special collections.
Manage budgets for acquisitions, endowments, appraisals, and archival supplies.
Develop and foster collaborations and partnerships with key stakeholders in the 
library, on-campus, and the wider community on projects that will promote and 
enhance the University of Guelph’s print and digital archival and special 
collections.
As a member of LMT, participate in the collaborative management of the library, 
including strategic planning, administrative coordination that includes policy 
development, alignment of services and programs with strategic objectives, 
assessment, and organizational culture and development.

Digital Archivist

Develop strategies, policies, procedures, and workflows for acquiring, 
appraising, accessioning, describing, managing, processing and organizing, 
preserving, making discoverable, and providing access to born-digital and 
digitized materials.
Collaborate with the Digital Strategy & Technology team on the integration 
of technologies, tools, software, and media for appraising, capturing, 
preserving, and providing access to digital collections.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

An ALA accredited (or equivalent) master's degree in Archival Studies or 
Library Science, with a strong specialization in archives and records 
management.
Minimum of five years of experience as an archivist or librarian in an archival 
setting, with increasing levels of responsibility (e.g. managing projects, 
resources, staff, budgets).
Experience with all aspects of archival operations, including understanding of 
contemporary archival practices, issues, standards, trends, donor relations, 
and emerging technologies.
Demonstrated understanding of and appreciation for the purpose and structure of 
archival-related discovery, metadata, and access environments.
Experience with metadata content, structure, and preservation standards 
including MARC, Dublin Core, EAD, RAD, ISAD(g), MODS, XML, archival linked 
data, etc.
Knowledge of Canadian copyright, privacy, and accessibility standards and 
legislation.
Demonstrated experience leading and managing complex projects, including 
developing proposals, timelines, budgets, and staffing plans.
Experience leading reference and research services for users, with a 
demonstrated user-centered service philosophy and client focus.
Exceptional ability to build partnerships with colleagues, users, and partners 
on campus and beyond, and to articulate priorities and values across a diverse 
constituency.
Excellent written and verbal communication, presentation, and interpersonal 
skills.
Evidence of participation in the community and a well-established record of 
scholarly activity.

All librarians at the University of Guelph are expected to engage in 
professional practice; scholarship, which includes research, study, 
professional development and scholarly and creative activities; and, University 
service and academic or professional service.

The University of Guelph is the second-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 about 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

Interested applicants should submit the following materials: (1) A statement of 
interest in the position demonstrating how qualifications and experience relate 
to the responsibilities, duties, and required qualifications of the position, 
(2) A curriculum vitae, and (3) the names of at least three references, 
including, where possible, one direct supervisor, one peer/collaborator, and 
one direct report.

Please submit applications as a single PDF file to [email protected]  by 
November 1, 2019. We anticipate that the first round of interviews (video 
conference) will take place the week of December 9, 2019 and on-campus 
interviews will take place the week of February 10, 2020. A position 
description is available upon request (email [email protected] ).

The digital archivist position is a Continuing Appointment-track position that 
will be filled at the Assistant or Associate Librarian level. Salary will be 
commensurate with qualifications and experience and a comprehensive benefits 
package is provided. The head, Archival & Special Collections, role is a 
five-year term 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  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.


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