Liaison Librarian (Assistant Librarian)

McGill University Job Location: Quebec Date Created: 03/25/2025

McGill Libraries seeks an innovative, service-oriented, and collaborative professional Liaison Librarian to contribute to the curation of collections and to perform additional liaison duties in Rare Books and Special Collections (RBSC). The position provides a range of library and information services to support research and teaching; contributes to comprehensive collections management and curation of materials; and actively promotes the collections through outreach, exhibition, and communications. The incumbent participates in fundraising, development, and grant applications and administration to further support the Libraries and promotion of the RBSC collections.

THE McGILL LIBRARIES

Located in Montréal, one of the world’s great multicultural and multilingual cities, McGill University is internationally recognized for its excellence as a leading institution of higher education and research. For nearly 200 years, through the work of dedicated people, McGill has been breaking ground in diverse fields and contributing solutions to some of the world’s most significant issues. McGill is also the most internationally diverse research-intensive university in Canada, with over 32% of its students coming to McGill from more than 150 countries.

The McGill Libraries are committed to delivering high-quality, innovative information products, services and programs that focus on client needs and support the University’s strategic mission and directions. The McGill Libraries proactively supports the teaching, learning and research needs of faculty and students to fulfill McGill’s strategic mission of excellence as a research-intensive, student-centred university.

The McGill Libraries has the largest collection in Quebec and is one of Canada’s largest academic libraries with over six million monograph titles and 150,000 e-journals and databases.

DUTY STATEMENT

Primary Purpose of Position

The assist the provision of a range of library and information services and collections to support teaching, learning, research, and outreach activities.

Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

1. Curate and make accessible RBSC collections as assigned.
2. Integrate RBSC collections into University teaching, learning, and research, and to the broader research community. Develop and maintain communication links and appropriate liaison with relevant University units.
3. Engage with donors and contribute to fundraising, development and outreach activities to build and improve access to McGill Libraries collections, in coordination with the RBSC Director. May contribute to grants and other funding support to further develop, promote, and protect collections.
4. Advise researchers on discovering, accessing and using effectively the full range of library and information resources available. Conduct information literacy/skills classes and training programs for relevant audiences.
5. Animate rare collections through various means, including: communications (e.g. publications and social media), organizing visits and workshops with classes and other groups; developing exhibitions in the library or McGill campus venues, or beyond, including external museum loans.
6. Work in partnership with other library and University staff and sections, as well as external groups on specific projects.
7. Assist in the development of RBSC collections to ensure teaching, learning and research needs are met.
8. Assist in ensuring that proper conservation and preservation standards are followed for all formats and media types.
9. Contribute to resource description for entry into content management systems (Sofia discovery tool and/or Access to Memory (AtoM)). Supervise staff in the same.
10. Assign and supervise projects for student employees and interns.
11. Represent the library on various library, faculty and university-wide committees as required.
12. Engage in scholarly activities and professional service and develop a dossier for promotion and tenure, consistent with University Regulations.
13. Additional duties as assigned based on individual knowledge and skills.

Reporting relationship

This position reports to the Director, Rare Books and Special Collections.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Required:

1. A Master’s Degree in Library/Information Studies (MLIS, MIS, or MI) from an ALA accredited institution.
2. Professional experience in an academic, special or research library, or equivalent relevant experience, particularly in rare books and special collections.
3. Knowledge of special collections librarianship.
4. Ability to conduct information skills classes for small and large groups.
5. Familiarity with copyright and/or privacy legislation as required for consultation, reproduction, and dissemination of collections.
6. Organized, with high attention to detail. Ability to work independently and as part of a team; prioritize and balance multiple projects.
7. Fluency in oral and written English is required.
8. Experience or demonstrated interest in supervising student employees and in coordinating workflows.
9. Knowledge of techniques used to teach in a culturally responsive way.
10. Demonstrated ability to uphold the values of respect, collaboration, and diversity, and employment equity.
11. Preference for French language skills; other languages considered an asset.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

Applications should address the above selection criteria, be accompanied by a letter of interest, curriculum vitae, and the names and addresses of three referees.

We anticipate conducting interviews during the week of June 2nd, 2025.