Indigenous Engagement Librarian (Assistant Professor, Library) – (998341.1)

About MRU

Mount Royal University is situated on an ancient and storied land that is steeped in ceremony and history that, until recently, was occupied exclusively by people indigenous to this place. With gratitude and reciprocity, we acknowledge the relationships to the land and all beings, and the songs, stories and teachings of the Siksika Nation, the Piikani Nation, the Kainai Nation, the Îethka Stoney Nakoda Nation (consisting of the Chiniki, Bearspaw and Goodstoney Nations), the people of the Tsuut’ina Nation, and the Métis.

Founded in 1910 and located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, Mount Royal University grew into a vibrant college in the 1930s and became a mid-sized university in 2009. Today, Mount Royal offers 14 bachelor degrees and 38 majors, along with a wide range of diploma and certificate options. It boasts a diverse community with nearly 16,000 credit students, more than 5,500 non-credit students and about 1,700 employees.

As a student-focused undergraduate university built on teaching excellence, Mount Royal is known for its top-calibre programs, high-quality teaching and learning experience, robust delivery of liberal education, scholarly teaching, experiential learning and undergraduate research. Grounded in community, Mount Royal is a place where faculty, staff and alumni can know each other by name — and where everyone is welcome. Learn more about Mount Royal’s strategic academic direction at mru.ca/AcademicPlan.

About the University Library

Housed in the Riddell Library and Learning Centre, the University Library fosters intellectual curiosity and exploration. The Library’s information literacy program is embedded across the disciplines and is designed to help students find, evaluate, create and share information, ethically and skillfully.  Library faculty work collaboratively across disciplines to build collections, support research and scholarship, and provide support to students for their information needs. The Library includes the Archives and Special Collections and a number of technology-enriched teaching and learning spaces, including information literacy classrooms, a Maker Studio, audio production rooms, and a range of visualization, simulation, and immersive spaces. The Library team comprises approximately 60 FTE employees, including 15 FTE faculty. The Library values a healthy, inclusive workplace and encourages a culture of innovation and teamwork.  Our approach is rooted in evidence-based decision making through continuous learning and ongoing assessment of our initiatives and services. Acknowledging the historical exclusion of voices, perspectives and knowledge in libraries, we commit to Indigenous reconciliation, diversity, equity, justice and inclusion in our work.

About the Role

The Library invites applications for a full time tenure-track Indigenous Engagement Librarian position, which will commence July 1, 2025, subject to final budgetary approval, at the rank of Assistant Professor.  Individuals who hold a tenured academic appointment at another post-secondary institution will be considered for appointment as an Associate Professor.

Mount Royal University is committed to enhancing relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples within our campus community and beyond. The Indigenous Strategic Plan created in 2016 outlined a number of goals and strategies for the campus; building on these, more recently both the Academic Plan and the University Strategic Plan make commitments to Indigenization and decolonization. The Library is committed to advancing the goals outlined in these plans, and to working with colleagues across campus and with communities to contribute to meaningful change and reconciliation.

The successful candidate will provide subject liaison support for Indigenous Studies, including information literacy instruction, collection development and student and faculty research support. Working collaboratively with colleagues in the library, they will also provide support for research and information literacy needs within Indigenization and decolonization contexts across campus disciplines. Understanding the importance of relationality, they will embody strong communication and relationship building skills while enhancing library engagement with Indigenous students, faculty, staff and surrounding communities. Subject liaison responsibility in additional disciplines will also be assigned, based on departmental needs.

Faculty are hired into one of two work patterns. The teaching/scholarship/service pattern (TSS) has a focus on teaching with the requirement that the faculty member be involved in a research program as well as service to the Mount Royal community. The teaching/service pattern (TS) has a focus on teaching and service only. The successful applicant for this position will have the option to choose their preferred work pattern. There is an option to change work patterns after tenure.

Mount Royal is committed to removing barriers and fostering the inclusion of voices that have been historically underrepresented or discouraged in our society. In accordance with Section 11 of the Alberta Human Rights Act, this position is available to First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples only.

Qualifications and Competencies

• MLIS from an ALA accredited program or equivalent degree. Candidates who are near completion of their MLIS are invited to apply.
• Knowledge of information literacy theory and pedagogy, and ability to teach information literacy concepts.
• Ability to work effectively and develop strong professional relationships with Indigenous students, faculty, and communities, as well as other members of the university community.
• Knowledge of Indigenous librarianship, Indigenous research methodologies, ways of knowing, and pedagogical approaches.
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills, and the ability to be flexible in changing circumstances.

Experience working in an academic library, teaching information literacy, and/or developing library collections is an asset, as are academic experience or qualifications in Indigenous Studies.

Career interruptions due to parental leave, family care, extended illness, or community responsibilities will not negatively impact the assessment of a candidate’s application.

To Apply

When applying, please include the following as a single PDF document:

• A cover letter (2 pages maximum) that pays particular attention to the responsibilities and requirements outlined in the job description.

• Current Curriculum Vitae (CV)

Closing Date: January 20, 2025

Please title your .pdf document as follows: [Last Name], [Requisition Number], [Document].pdf (ex. Smith, 999999, CV.pdf).

Shortlisted candidates will be asked for three references including at least one supervisory reference, as well as a letter of introduction or other documentation that provides verifiable evidence of Indigenous identity.

For more information, contact the department chair Alice Swabey aswabey@mtroya.ca, 403-440-7241.