Indigenous Learning and Engagement Librarian, Libraries and Cultural resources

About the job

Description

The University of Calgary (UCalgary), located in the heart of Southern Alberta, both acknowledges and pays tribute to the traditional territories of the peoples of Treaty 7, which include the Blackfoot Confederacy (comprising of the Siksika, the Piikani, and the Kainai First Nations) as well as the Tsuut’ina First Nation, and the Stoney Nakoda (including Chiniki, Bearspaw, and Goodstoney First Nations). The university recognizes that the City of Calgary is also home to the Métis Nation of Alberta (Districts 5 and 6). By virtue of the signing of Treaty 7 in 1877, the university recognizes that we are all treaty people. The City of Calgary is home to a culturally diverse community. Together, we share this land, strive to live together, learn together, walk together, and grow together ‘in a good way.’

Libraries and Cultural Resources at the University of Calgary invites applications for a tenure track Indigenous Learning and Engagement Librarian position with responsibilities at the rank of Assistant Librarian. This is four-year, renewable tenure track appointment. The anticipated start is February 2025, or a mutual agreed upon date.

This recruitment, which was developed in accordance with the Alberta Human Rights Act, is only open to qualified Indigenous scholars (First Nations, Métis, or Inuit). Candidates will be required to provide verifiable evidence of their Indigenous identity.

Libraries and Cultural Resources (LCR) is a leader in the development of innovative information resources and services, locally, nationally and internationally. In a converged environment, it successfully incorporates the resources and services of libraries, institutional and research archives, rare books and special collections, art galleries, and a university press to provide outstanding support for scholarship, learning and the creation of knowledge.

Position Responsibilities

Reporting to the Associate University Librarian, Learning and Engagement Librarian will work in collaboration with colleagues in LCR and across campus. The successful candidate will have a strong commitment to student-centered service delivery, will deliver course and program-integrated information literacy instruction for faculty, students and scholars, and will assist in collection and information resource development and reference service in assigned subject areas in support of the research and teaching mission of the University of Calgary.

In addition to providing Indigenous research support to projects on campus, this position will deliver outreach support, instruction and services to students and faculty across campus. Assigned areas of focus and responsibilities will cover activities centered on learning and engagement. As an academic appointee, appropriate participation and involvement in scholarship, teaching and service is expected.

The successful candidate will represent Libraries and Cultural Resources and work across the institution to engage and support various Indigenous initiatives and groups on campus. It will support the Indigenous Research Support Team in projects they are working towards as well as working closely with the Writing Symbols Lodge staff and students. The position will also have a traditional liaison subject assignment. The position will also work closely with our new LCR Indigenous Knowledge Subcommittee around developing initiatives and policy within the library.

Responsibilities will include:

• Developing LCR learning and research materials to support Indigenous research.
• Designing and delivering specialized course-based instruction and workshops to students and faculty in assigned subject disciplines. This will include the design and implementation of appropriate print, online learning and digital tools, and the strategic assessment of classroom instruction, and student learning outcomes. Instruction sessions will incorporate complex, rapidly evolving information technologies as well as traditional methods.
• Build strong, authentic connections between the LCR and local Indigenous communities by serving as a cultural liaison, facilitating community outreach, and engagement efforts.
• Actively engaging with faculty members, students, and staff in assigned areas to promote and market library programs, services, and resources through unit, campus and other outreach opportunities.
• Advocate for Indigenous initiatives and inclusivity within the library system and education LCR staff and the broader community about Indigenous history, culture, and experiences.
• Work with areas across campus, such as the Office of Indigenous Engagement, to support learning opportunities to build intercultural capacity of the campus community with respect to Indigenous peoples’ histories, cultures, and experiences.
• Providing customized reference and research support services including in-depth reference assistance in multiple formats (chat, email, phone, desk/in-person).
• Providing research consultations that focus on subject or other specialized areas of expertise.
• Supporting research grant applications and funded projects.
• Advising on data management and retention, and research impact.
• Participating in collection and scholarly resource development in assigned discipline areas.
• Contributing to the collaborative delivery of library services to faculty, students, and staff through team teaching, resource sharing, committee service, and participation in collaborative projects.
• Participating in and supporting system-wide and unit level initiatives including support for data resources, scholarly communications, open access, web archiving, research impact, and knowledge synthesis.
• Maintaining awareness of current and emerging trends both in the University and in librarianship and proactively identifying appropriate service responses.
• Contributing to the University’s commitment to serve the community.

Required Qualifications

• Master’s degree from an American Library Association accredited program in librarianship or recognized equivalent.
• Experience working with and knowledge of Indigenous research and Indigenous communities.
• Evidence of a strong service orientation, and the instructional applications and technologies necessary to support the needs of students and faculty.
• Evidence of ability to plan and implement programming and outreach services for users coming from various backgrounds and subject disciplines.
• Evidence of excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Evidence of excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to establish positive and productive collaborations with staff and faculty.
• Ability to work independently and as part of an interdisciplinary team member in a dynamic environment and on a variety of simultaneous projects.
• Demonstrated ability to adjust priorities, take initiative, set goals, manage time wisely, and make quick effective decisions in a fast-paced environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• An interdisciplinary undergraduate or graduate degree.
• Familiarity with current issues and trends in library technology and information resources.
• Experience in conducting library instruction or teaching in an academic environment.
• Demonstrated commitment to user instruction and to consultation with users on their information decision and strategy needs.
• Familiarity with qualitative or quantitative data, manipulation of datasets, and experience teaching data sources to researchers, faculty and students.

Salary And Benefits

Position will be commensurate with qualifications and experience at the rank of Assistant Librarian. Salary ranges can be found here tucfa-schedule-a.pdf . The University of Calgary’s comprehensive benefits and pension program is designed to promote a productive level of health and well-being to staff members through coverage for health, dental, life insurance, income protection for disability, and retirement income planning. For more information, please refer to the University of Calgary’s website https://www.ucalgary.ca/.

Application Procedure

To apply, please submit an application online via the `Apply Now’ link. Please submit a letter of application addressing background and experience relevant to the position, a current curriculum vitae and contact information for three professional references, by January 13, 2025.

Questions regarding this role can be sent to:

Coordinator, Human Resources

Libraries and Cultural Resources

University of Calgary

2500 University Drive NW

Calgary, AB T2N 1N4

or, by email to [email protected]

The University of Calgary has launched an institution-wide Indigenous Strategy committing to creating a rich, vibrant, and culturally competent campus that welcomes and supports Indigenous Peoples, encourages Indigenous community partnerships, is inclusive of Indigenous perspectives in all that we do.

As an equitable and inclusive employer, the University of Calgary recognizes that a diverse staff/faculty benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers that have been historically encountered by some people in our society. We strive to recruit individuals who will further enhance our diversity and will support their academic and professional success while they are here. In particular, we encourage members of the designated groups (women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible/racialized minorities, and diverse sexual orientation and gender identities) to apply. To ensure a fair and equitable assessment, we offer accommodation at any stage during the recruitment process to applicants with disabilities. Questions regarding [diversity] EDI at UCalgary can be sent to the Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion ([email protected]) and requests for accommodations can be sent to Human Resources ([email protected]).

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. In this connection, at the time of your application, please answer the following question: Are you a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada? (Yes/No)

About The University Of Calgary

UCalgary is Canada’s entrepreneurial university, located in Canada’s most enterprising city. It is a top research university and one of the highest-ranked universities of its age. Founded in 1966, its 36,000 students experience an innovative learning environment, made rich by research, hands-on experiences and entrepreneurial thinking. It is Canada’s leader in the creation of start-ups. Start something today at the University of Calgary. For more information, visit ucalgary.ca.

About Calgary, Alberta

Calgary is one of the world’s cleanest cities and has been named one of the world’s most livable cities for years. Calgary is a city of leaders – in business, community, philanthropy and volunteerism. Calgarians benefit from a growing number of world-class dining and cultural events and enjoy more days of sunshine per year than any other major Canadian city. Calgary is less than an hour’s drive from the majestic Rocky Mountains and boasts the most extensive urban pathway and bikeway network in North America.