Law Librarian

Law Librarian

Toronto Metropolitan University Libraries

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

About the Law Library

The Law Library works closely with Canada’s newest law school, the Lincoln Alexander School of Law, which embraces a forward-thinking approach to legal education by harnessing technology, fostering diversity and expanding access to justice.

As a new academic Law Library its mission is to:

• Build collections that support research and teaching at the Lincoln Alexander School of Law
• Develop instructional programmes designed to build the legal research skills of students at the Lincoln Alexander School of Law
• Develop library services in support of faculty research and student success
• Develop online resources, services and programs that advance the Law Library as a vital resource for the University’s scholarly, research and creative activities (SRC).

The Law Library plays a critical role in supporting this mission by providing comprehensive resources and research services that drive innovation, entrepreneurship, and community engagement. In addition to supporting the Law School, the Law Library collaborates with the Law Practice Program, the Legal Innovation Zone and various other initiatives across campus offering expert guidance and access to essential legal resources.

The Opportunity

TMU Libraries are seeking a dynamic Law Librarian to work under the direction of the Head of the Law Library, and to collaborate closely with liaison librarians, and expert staff to support scholarship, teaching, and innovation at the Lincoln Alexander School of Law. Reporting to the Dean of Libraries, the Law Librarian will be responsible for:

Research Consultation and Support

• Providing legal research assistance and consultation to library users (primarily law students and faculty) by responding to inquiries and guiding library users in developing an appropriate research strategy. This will include identifying relevant sources of information and providing instruction in their use.
• Offering research consultation that will primarily take place through appointments with library users and may also include work at the Law Library’s Integrated Services Desk.
• Liaising with the Lincoln Alexander School of Law and user groups to determine how library services can best meet the needs of their areas and programs.

Teaching

• Providing instruction in legal research as part of the Lincoln Alexander School of Law’s Legal Research and Writing course.
• Designing, developing and delivering research workshops to classes at the Lincoln Alexander School of Law’s that are targeted to the needs of students and instructors.
• Developing online teaching resources, such as LibGuides, instructional videos and other online content that will support the legal research needs of faculty and students at the Lincoln Alexander School of Law as well as the broader University community.

Collaborations and Partnerships

• Increasing awareness and promoting use of the Library and its resources through outreach activities.
• Collaborative participation in library planning in a collegial environment
• Building strong partnerships and fostering community connections. Partnerships may include the legal clinic at the Lincoln Alexander School of Law, TMU’s Law Practice Program, TMU’s Legal Innovation Zone.
• Representing the Libraries on issues relevant to the portfolio and active engagement with aligned organizations in the wider community.
• Actively contributing to academic law librarianship through professional affiliations, collegial networking and scholarship/research initiatives.
• Participating in library and university committees, and engaging in professional development and/or scholarly, research and creative activities.
• Occasionally supervising non-union casual part time staff.

The incumbent may occasionally be required to work non-standard hours, including weekends and evenings (e.g. for training weekend or evening staff, providing research instruction and attending Law Library events).

Required Qualifications

The successful candidate must be a graduate of an accredited library school with a MLS/MLIS/MISt/MI degree or acceptable ALA recognized equivalent. In addition, the candidate must present evidence of the following:

• A minimum of 2 (two) years’ experience as a law librarian in an academic, law firm, government, and/or research institution setting
• Demonstrated experience teaching legal research in an academic and/or professional setting
• Experience providing legal reference services in an academic and/or professional setting
• Strong written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills
• Strong understanding of scholarly communications and legal education technologies
• Knowledge of best practices and trends in academic law libraries and in legal education
• The ability to work independently and with a variety of people, including librarians, support staff, students, faculty and administration
• Tact and diplomacy in challenging interactions along with strong service-orientation.
• Excellent attention to detail, and a commitment to innovation and continuous learning.
• Demonstrated excellence in problem-solving and time-management, throughout the academic year
• A commitment to collaboration and collegiality and a strong focus on service to students, faculty and staff
• A commitment to the responsibility of Truth and Reconciliation as outlined in the Calls To Action.
• A commitment to our values of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion as it pertains to service, teaching, and scholarly research or creative activities, including a demonstrated ability to make learning accessible and inclusive for a diverse population
• An ability and willingness to contribute to the life of TMU and its Libraries through active participation in the collegial governance, including serving on  and committees.

Candidates possessing the following will be preferred:

• A JD or equivalent
• Supervisory experience

Our committee recognizes that scholars have varying career paths and that career interruptions can be part of an excellent academic 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) [www.tfanet.ca]. 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, with a Medical Library branch scheduled to open in 2025. 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 X (previously known as Twitter): @torontomet, @VPFAtorontomet and @TorontoMetHR, and 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 $76,297.75 for Librarian I, and $85,125.61 for Librarian II. Salary will be commensurate with experience and will increase annually by: i) an Across-the-Board increase and ii) one Career Development Increment (CDI) up to the rank salary 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 January 6, 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.

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.

Contacts

Any confidential inquiries about the opportunity can be directed to the Librarian Appointment Committee Chair Lei Jin at leijin@torontomu.ca .

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

For any confidential accommodation needs in order to participate in the recruitment and selection process and/or inquiries regarding accessing the Recruitment Portal, please contact vpfa@torontomu.ca.