Head Law Librarian

jobsnearcanada.com

Head Law Librarian
Library – Office Dean of Lib.
Posted: February 19, 2025
Deadline to Apply: Thursday, March 20, 2025

Located in downtown Toronto, the largest and most culturally diverse city in Canada and on the territory of the Anishinaabeg, Haudenosaunee and the Wendat Peoples, the University Libraries at Toronto Metropolitan University invites applications for the position of Head, Law Librarian, effective June 1, 2025, subject to final budgetary approval.

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 Faculty Recruitment Portal.

The opportunity
Toronto Metropolitan University Libraries, invites applications for an experienced Head Law Librarian. The Head Law Librarian will have the opportunity to lead the Law Library during a period of opportunity of dynamic growth and change.

Reporting to the Dean of Libraries, and liaising with the Dean of Law and Law School faculty, the Head Law Librarian will be responsible for the academic leadership, administrative planning and creative oversight of the Law Library services and contribute to the overall strategic directions and operations of the University Libraries. The Lincoln Alexander School of Law’s legal education approach emphasizes technology, diversity, and access to justice, which will inform the Library’s vision. Additionally, the Law Library will support the Law Practice Program, the Legal Innovation Zone, and various campus initiatives that require legal resources and research expertise.

This is a five year administrative appointment with possibility of renewal for a second term, with a concurrent career librarian position. Rank at hire will be commensurate with the relevant experience of the successful candidate.

Working with the TMU Libraries
The Head Law Librarian will collaborate closely with the Associate Dean of Libraries (ADL) for Teaching and Learning to ensure alignment of the department’s strategic goals and the Library’s broader vision. The incumbent will support the development of the Library’s Strategic Plan, actively contribute to the success of this plan, and will effectively communicate with the various groups within the department. The Head will foster a collegial and inclusive working environment within the Law Library.

Working within TMU’s University Libraries, the Head Law 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 that will position the Law Library service as a vital resource for scholarship, teaching, education and innovation.

Other priority areas for TMU Libraries in which the Head will participate over the next few years include responding to the Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Report and working closely with key colleagues to continually improve workflows and processes.

The Head Law Librarian will represent the Library on issues relevant to the portfolio and will be actively engaged with aligned organizations in the wider community. The Head Law Librarian will actively contribute to academic law librarianship through scholarly, research, and creativities, and with professional affiliations, and collegial networks.

Law Library Responsibilities
The Head is responsible for developing collections and services that support the wide range of teaching, scholarship and community engagement at the Lincoln Alexander School of Law, including the oversight of an annual Law Library acquisitions budget. The Head works with law librarian colleagues to help develop and deliver integrated and customized instructional programs tailored to build the legal research and digital technology skills of law students. The Head has primary responsibility for managing the Law Library’s staff including working with individual team members on their development plans, coaching for effective performance, and assisting the team with navigating change with a focus on operational requirements and employee wellbeing.

Law School Responsibilities
Working with the Law School, the Head Law Librarian will have the opportunity to collaborate with the leadership team of the Lincoln Alexander School of Law and the Library’s leadership team to plan for a new home for the Law School that will include a new Law Library space.

The Head Law Librarian is an ex officio member of Faculty of Law Council and the Law School’s Research Committee. Other administrative responsibilities include participating in the annual reporting process with the Federation of Law Societies of Canada, supporting new courses and plans for a Graduate Program and strategic planning.

Key Responsibilities & Duties
Provides leadership for the Law Library and work of the department.
Provides leadership in developing, evaluating and assessing the Law Library?s collections to support the University?s research, teaching and learning needs.
Oversees the implementation of University equity, diversity, inclusion and access initiatives within the unit.
Keeps abreast of trends, issues, and best practices in law librarianship.
Communicates and reports on departmental activities as appropriate (e.g., reporting on activities related to strategic plan goals).
Oversight of the annual Law Library acquisitions budget.
Participates in Library and University committees and task groups.
Oversees human resources matters within the department including training and coaching, proactive performance management of all Law Library OPSEU employees, contract positions, student interns and co-op placements.
Coordinates with ADLs to ensure consistent application of Library human resources-related principles and directions.
Creates an environment that supports staff professional development, encourages staff growth and advocates for resources as needed to position the team for success.
Fosters good communication and effective working relationships with faculty, staff, students, and other library users.
Coordinates the Law Library?s acquisitions (monographs and serials, digital and print), including approval and DDA plans, with input from the law librarians.
Coordinates and actively participates in reference and subject liaison responsibilities to support the Law School curriculum.
With the other law librarians, participates in co-teaching the research portions of JUR100 – Legal Research and Writing at the Lincoln Alexander School of Law.
Participates in the work necessary for academic program and accreditation reviews and proposals for new courses/programs in collaboration with the assessment librarian and relevant liaison librarians.
Fosters open communication within the team, documents decisions and discussions as appropriate, and shares information on behalf of the Law Library.
Collaborates with colleagues in other departments on issues of mutual concern (e.g., Library Learning Services on liaison matters).

Required qualifications
ALA-accredited Master of Library Science degree or equivalent.
Demonstrated leadership skills. Relevant administrative, managerial and supervisory experience in a law library setting.
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.
Substantial experience in collection development of both electronic and traditional legal materials while working with appropriate tools, legal resources and publishers, as well as in implementing both the necessary supportive services to sustain and support the use of these collections.
Knowledge of emerging developments/trends in academic law libraries.
Experience demonstrating broad understanding of issues in legal education, research and scholarship.
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.

Preferred qualifications
The successful candidate will preferably have:

A JD/LL.B degree.
Knowledge related to assessment/metrics appropriate to a library setting.
Understanding of scholarly communication including open access publishing, journal evaluation and research impact.
Relevant administrative, managerial and supervisory experience in an academic library setting.
Relevant academic research experiences and/or publications and/or conference presentations.
Experience with the development of a new or renovated library space project.

Our committee recognizes that individuals have varying career paths and that career interruptions can be part of an excellent professional record. Candidates are encouraged to provide any relevant information about their experience and/or career interruptions.

This position falls under the jurisdiction of the Toronto Metropolitan Faculty Association (TFA). Visit us at www.torontomu.ca/faculty-affairs to view the TFA collective agreement and a summary of TFA benefits.

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, and soon to be opened Medical 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. These efforts are further supported by the Mash Koh Wee Kah Pooh Win (Standing Strong Task Force) 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 48,000, with 125+ 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.

We invite you to explore the range of benefits and supports available to faculty, including access to our diverse faculty and staff networks.

Visit us on our LinkedIn page.

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+.

Additional Information About the Position
Employment Type: Full-Time Career Employee (FTCE)

Salary: In accordance with Article 16.4 of the Collective Agreement, the salary minima are $85,125.61 for Librarian II and $105,934.07 for Librarian III. Salary will commensurate with experience and will increase annually by: i) an Across-the-Board increase and ii) one Career Development Increment (CDI) up to the maximum 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

How to Apply
Applicants must submit their application online via the Faculty Recruitment Portal [https://hr.cf.torontomu.ca/ams/faculty/] by clicking on “Start Application Process” to begin. Applications, consisting of the following, must be received by March 20, 2025. The position will remain open until filled.

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 Lei Jin at [email protected].

Candidates who belong to one or more of the equity-deserving groups recognized at TMU are welcome to connect with Debbie Thompson [[email protected]], Executive Director, Office of the Vice-President, Equity and Community Inclusion [www.torontomu.ca/equity].

Indigenous candidates who would like to learn more about working at Toronto Metropolitan University are welcome to contact James McKay, Indigenous Human Resources Lead at [email protected].

For any confidential accommodation needs in order to participate in the recruitment and selection process and/or inquiries regarding accessing the Faculty Recruitment Portal, please contact [email protected].

To help us track our recruitment effort, please indicate in your cover/motivation letter where (jobsnearcanada.com) you saw this job posting.