Collections & Acquisitions Librarian-Full-time, Probationary Appointment

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Inspired by a strong tradition of social responsibility and an enduring commitment to the advancement of women, Mount Saint Vincent University promotes academic excellence and the pursuit of knowledge through scholarship and teaching of the highest quality. Mount Saint Vincent University (MSVU) is committed to recruiting exceptional and diverse scholars and teachers, and is recognized as a leader in flexible programs, applied research and a personalized approach to education. The Mount is in Mi’kma’ki, the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq people. Please visit www.msvu.ca for more information.

Description and Qualifications

The MSVU Library & Archives invites applications for a full-time, probationary librarian appointment commencing on 1 July 2026.

Reporting to the University Librarian, the Collections & Acquisitions Librarian is responsible for the stewardship of library resources in support of research, teaching and learning. The successful applicant will be able to provide strategic direction and a vision for the building of a user-centered academic library collection. Core functions of this position include: management of print and digital library collections in support of university goals and its strategic plan, including donations and ongoing collection maintenance; acquisitions, primarily via consortial purchasing; collection analysis to inform decision-making; licensing of content in all formats; and report writing to assess the strength of library resources in the academic course/program review process. The position oversees the materials budget, including the issuance of quarterly projections during the fiscal year, and serves as a university representative and key contact with academic programs, consortia (CRKN, CAAL-CBPA), publishers and vendors.

A highly collaborative role, the Collections & Acquisitions Librarian works with the university’s Archivist on special collections, such as the MacDonald Collection, which consists of approximately 10,000 monographs of largely 19th and early 20th century literary works; the Academic Engagement Librarian, who curates MSVU’s renowned Lesbian Pulp Fiction Collection; the Scholarly Publishing Librarian on open publishing agreements and Article Processing Charge (APC) discounts and waivers; the Research Data & Assessment Librarian on usage statistics; and the Systems Librarian on digital resources, including discovery, maintenance and troubleshooting. The Collections & Acquisitions Librarian currently manages one direct report, Coordinator, Resources and Acquisitions.

The successful candidate is a member of several MSVU Library & Archives collectives, including the library and archives management and research help teams. Librarians at MSVU are full members of the Faculty Association and have the option to teach, as part of their workload, one half-unit per year of the credit course LIBR 2100: Library Research. Other responsibilities include scholarly and professional activity with formal and informal dissemination of research findings required for reappointment and promotion. There is also the expectation and opportunity to pursue other internal and external collegial service.

The following qualifications are required of the position:
● A degree from an ALA-accredited Master’s program in Library/Information Science, or equivalent.
● Three to five years post-MLS experience with academic library collection management and acquisition activities, encompassing licensing, purchasing, access and maintenance.
● A practical understanding of collection strategies in areas such as: financial management; copyright law and licensing; evolving models in scholarly publishing; and emerging technologies, such as AI, that are integrated into library databases.
● Demonstrated experience in advancing the development of diverse and inclusive collections that consider Indigenous and other underrepresented perspectives.
● Experience providing research (reference) help services, and familiarity with evolving organizational approaches to faculty and student engagement (e.g., the liaison model).
● Excellent communication skills with the ability to provide collaborative leadership in library collections.
● Strong technological and analytical skills, and a willingness to explore and leverage innovative technologies, standards, trends and practices in collection management.
● A commitment to academic librarianship through scholarly and professional activity and service.

Experience in the following areas will be considered an asset:
● Management experience in an academic environment, including the supervision of staff and/or students.
● Competency with usage statistics standards (e.g., COUNTER).
● Project management.
● Vendor relationship building and contract negotiation.
● Ex LIBRIS Alma Library Services Platform (Alma, Primo), Consortia Manager and proficiency with Excel and other Microsoft Office products.
● Credit or non-credit teaching or library instruction.
● Experience with rare books and special collections.
● Promotion of library resources.

About MSVU Library & Archives
MSVU Library & Archives is an integral part of the MSVU academic experience and believes that its greatest asset is our librarians and staff. Consisting of a team of 17, we are actively engaged with regional, national and international library initiatives through membership in consortia and organizations such as IATUL, CRKN, CAAL-CBPA, CNSA and Novanet. We support distinctive programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels, including Applied Human Nutrition, Cultural Studies, Child and Youth Study and Education. MSVU is home to some of the smallest class sizes in Canada, and we aim to build partnerships with faculty, staff, and students. Our unique collections, services, spaces and expertise foster scholarship, teaching and learning within the MSVU community and beyond.

To Apply
We will begin considering applications on 31 March 2026. Applications should include a cover letter outlining relevant academic and/or professional experience, a curriculum vitae (CV), and the names and contact information for three references. MSVU is committed to fostering diversity and inclusion. All qualified candidates are welcome to apply, including candidates who self-identify as one or more of the following: African Canadian, Indigenous, racially visible, and disabled as well as candidates of diverse sexual orientations, gender identities, or gender expressions. All applicants will be required to return a signed Self-Identification Questionnaire Form to the University Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility Advisor. Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Agreement of the MSVU Faculty Association.

This position is subject to final budgetary approval. It is anticipated that this position will be filled at the Librarian I or Librarian II level, depending on qualifications. The position will remain open until filled.

Please send applications by email (in a single PDF) with the subject line “Collections & Acquisitions Librarian” to:

Ms. Jeannie Bail, University Librarian
Mount Saint Vincent University Library & Archives
[email protected]

Mount Saint Vincent University is strongly committed to fostering diversity and inclusion within our community and encourages applications from all qualified candidates including women, persons of any sexual orientations and gender identities and/or expressions, Indigenous persons, African Canadians, other racialized groups, persons with disabilities, and other groups that would contribute to the diversification of our campus. Candidates who identify as being from any of these groups are encouraged to voluntarily self-identify in their application materials. All qualified candidates are welcome to apply; however, priority will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents.

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