Job Description

Halifax Public Libraries invites INTERNAL and EXTERNAL applications for the term, full-time position of Collection Development Librarian in the Collection Management Department, located at Woodlawn Public Library.

This is a unionized position. Preference will be given to internal NSUPE Local 14 employees.

Halifax Public Libraries is an inclusive employer committed to employment equity and building a diverse workforce. We encourage all qualified persons to apply and self-identify. We will accommodate applicants’ needs under the Nova Scotia Human Rights Act throughout all stages of the recruitment and selection process. If you require an accommodation, we will confidentially address your needs.

ABOUT THE BRANCH

The Collection Management department works closely with library branches and departments in order to provide relevant and timely service. We build digital and physical collections by focusing on high quality and relevant selections that reflect the interests and diversity of our community. We provide easy access to these collections to meet the needs of our community.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

The Collection Development Librarian must uphold the Library's commitment to intellectual freedom throughout their daily work.

As a Collection Development Librarian at Halifax Public Libraries you will:

Select material to build the Library’s physical and digital collections
Stay up to date on current industry and publishing trends to anticipate demand and changes to collection development work
Consult a wide variety of print and digital review sources, including professional literature, publisher and vendor catalogues, and attending meetings and/or industry webinars
Review customer suggestions for purchase, submissions by authors and creators, donations, and staff identified collection gaps
Analyze circulation and collection data and use these insights to help inform collection development
Work closely with the Manager of Collection Development in developing and implementing collection development standards and procedures
Oversee the collection maintenance of the Library’s physical and digital collections
Work with Branch Leads to respond to collection needs, helping to balance system-wide needs with branch-specific needs
Weed the collection based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, publication date, out-of-date information, superseded information, and items that are no longer in demand based on number of checkouts and/or unnecessary extra copies
Maintain back catalogue titles of popular authors and series
Develop, simplify, or improve collection-related processes undertaken by branch staff
Spend within allocated budgets and meet expenditure deadlines
Make recommendations regarding budget allocations
Consider cost of items and return on investment
Assign allocated budgets to both new material and back catalogue titles
Adjust spending within allocated budgets to respond to changing collection needs, and community demand and interests
Actively promote print and digital collections
Oversee the creation of staff lists for the Library’s website and digital platforms and create monthly staff lists for the Library’s website and digital platforms
Develop and implement promotion plans with Marketing & Communications for launching new collections and resources
Participate in interviews to promote the collection and answer media-related inquiries related to collection initiatives
Lead region-wide collection projects and participate on regional teams in a leadership capacity
Provide collection subject matter expertise and advice to staff and leadership across the organization
Collaborate with branch leadership to respond to changes in community needs and collection demand
Work with branch leadership and staff to prepare for branch renovations
Lead staff and foster a respectful workplace for library staff and users
Hire staff with support from HR Partners and Manager
Ensure new staff receive department-specific orientation and training
Train and coach staff and provide performance management
Utilize specialized collection knowledge to provide customer service to both internal customers (coworkers) as well as external customers (the public, authors, illustrators, publishers, vendors, partners, etc).
Respond to challenges and concerns about the collection, explaining the Collection Development Policy, selection criteria, intellectual freedom, and decisions to add or not add titles
Correspond directly with authors, illustrators, creators, and publishers about the library’s collection development policy and selection process
Answer general customer and staff queries about the collection via phone and email
Collect performance measures, identify trends, write reports and proposals, and create action plans
Conduct professional research and assume responsibility for specific projects, including developing and launching new collections
Create and deliver collection-related training
Uphold the Library’s commitment to intellectual freedom

DO YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES?

Education & Experience

Graduate Degree in Library Science and two (2) years of related experience.

Specific Knowledge and Technical Experience

Requirements

Read and write English
Demonstrated experience working with budgets
Knowledge of adult and/or young adult and children’s literature and ability to apply knowledge to select relevant materials for the collection
Demonstrated leadership experience and ability to provide instruction, coaching and training
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, conflict resolution skills, and customer service skills
Knowledge and understanding of Intellectual Freedom
Experience working with diverse communities
Intermediate computer knowledge and skills including:
Functions of a web browser
Microsoft office application
Social media application
Intermediate technology skills including:
Willingness to learn and experiment with additional tools and technologies.

Assets

Experience working in an Integrated Library System (ILS)
Understanding of Machine Readable Catalogue (MARC) records
Knowledge of digital collections
Experience with vendor relationships
Familiarity with the publishing industry
Fluency in a second language

WORKING CONDITIONS

Sitting and operating a computer for more than 90% of the time
Occasional moving and /or transporting objects up to 35lbs.
Physical Demands of presentations
Considerable Computer use
Frequent need for recognizing small print
Focus and attention to detail
Handling upset customers, authors, illustrators, creators, and publishers

Who We Are

Community is at the heart of all that Halifax Public Libraries undertakes. Comprised of 14 branch libraries, we serve the 400,000 citizens of Halifax with our collection of 1 million items and a wide range of programming. Halifax Public Libraries blends the best of traditional library services with innovative programs, spaces and technologies, attracting more than 3 million in-person visits each year.

Halifax Public Libraries hires on the basis of merit and is committed to employment equity. We encourage all qualified persons to apply and self-identify.

During the recruitment process, applicants have the right to request accommodation. Applicants invited to participate in an interview or other form of testing and who require accommodation, should discuss their needs when contacted for an interview and/or testing.

Schedule

Monday - Friday

7 hours per day (scheduled between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm)

Collection Development Librarian @ Employer

About this role