Liaison Librarian at University of Waterloo , ON

Liaison LibrarianDate:June 26, 2014Reports to (Job Title):Head, Information Services and Resources (ISR), Dana Porter Library orHead, Information Services and Resources (ISR), Davis CentreJobs Reporting (Job Titles):NoneLocation:LibraryMain Campus, Optometry, or PharmacyGrade:USG 8 - 1335 hr/wkPrimary PurposeLiaison Librarians are the Library's primary contactwith the University's Schools/Academic DepartmentsEachLiaison Librarian is a member of the InformationServices and Resources Department and is responsible for one or moreAcademic Department/SchoolLiaisonLibrarians enhance the Library's contribution to the University community throughthe development and delivery of library information services and resources tofaculty members, students and staff.Inorder to support research, teaching and learning at the University of Waterloo,Liaison Librarians are proactive in information resources development andmanagement as well as the development and provision of instructional activitiesthat support the curriculum and develop students' research related literaciesand lifelong learningAs appropriate, the Liaison Librarians contribute expertisein support of grant applications and the research processLibrarians are knowledgeableof, and engaged in activities related to scholarly research, inquiry, andpublishing.Liaison Librarians workclosely with Library departments, committees, and others as appropriate toadvance the Library's strategic directions and lead projects and initiatives intheir areas of responsibility and expertise.Key Accountabilities:1.As a Liaison Librarian, theincumbent:S upportsand advances the Library's strategic directions to further the Library'scontribution to the campus Strategic Planfor learning,teaching, and research in the campus communityConsultswith the campus community to develop, implement, coordinate, and reviewinitiatives/services/resources that support teaching, learning and researchPromotesthe use of Library services and resources to the campus community, and asaligned to assigned subject areas or areas of expertiseProvidesinstruction in areas related to expertiseRemainscurrent and conversant with trends and practices within the Library andcampus community by:Maintaining generalawareness of trends and developments in librarianship and academiaMaintaining awarenessin areas of expertise and exploring potential local impacts or applicationsTransferring knowledgeto Library committees and staff, as well as faculty, staff and students, asappropriateParticipates in, and at times leads, Library,University, and as appropriate, non-University committees and groups, and fosterscollaboration, information sharing, partnerships and expertise as requiredWorks with colleagues at other TUG, OCUL, CARLand ARL member institutions, as appropriate, in collaborative venturesParticipates in professional development inareas such as research, courses, conference presentations, posters andongoing skills acquisition2.To ensure a thorough understandingof needs for information services and resources in the assigned subject areasand areas of expertise, the Liaison Librarian:Consultswith Schools/Academic Departments to establish and prioritize their resourcesand services needs as well as to identify new opportunities for furthercollaborationPromotesthe use of Library resources and services to Schools/Academic DepartmentsRaisesawareness of issues related to scholarly communication, including:Maintaining generalawareness of trends and developmentMaintaining specificawareness in areas of expertise and exploring potential local impacts orapplicationsTransferringknowledge to School/Academic Department faculty, staff and studentsProvides curriculum specific library instructionto enhance the student experiencePromotes lifelong learningParticipatesin the development and review of new and existing programs by working withthe School/Academic Departments to:Completethe Library portion of academic and accreditation program review reports,including new program reportsThis includes participating in the initialreview team meetings to gain a thorough understanding of the needs, learningoutcomes, and career paths for graduating students and representing theLibrary during program review on-site visitsReviewthe curriculum, and seek meaningful opportunities to enhance student researchskills, specialized information seeking, and critical analysis of informationParticipatein curriculum reviews with particular regards to research skills, specializedinformation seeking, and critical analysis of information, as possibleRemainswell informed about the Library's resources, services and policies andinterprets and promotes these to faculty and studentsAttends/participatesin Faculty Council and Departmental meetings, as possible3.As a Liaison Librarian accountablefor the proactive management of the collection lifecycle in assigned subjectareas, the incumbent:Developsand maintains collection development and retention policies that reflect theneeds of Schools/Academic Departments and support long term management andrelevance of the collectionSelectsmaterials, both print and electronic, for the Library's collections in afiscally responsible manner aiming to maximize the scope and depth of thecollectionAnalyzesthe use of collections, and applies gained information to collectiondecisionsEvaluatesthe print and electronic collectionsand recommends actions based on condition and relevance of thecollectionCollaborateswith other Librarians and Library Department Heads regarding the selectionand evaluation of interdisciplinary collectionsas well as the identification of locallyunique, at times rare, collectionsInco-operation with the Head, Collection Development and Heads, ISR, asappropriate:Interactsand negotiates with publishers/vendorsAssesses vendors platforms & productsand serviceDevelopsand maintains approval plan profilesParticipatesin the exploration and piloting of innovative collection development initiativesMaintainscurrent knowledge about the Acquisitions Budget and manages the budget allocationsin a fiscally responsible manner, with particular attention to assignedSchools/Academic Departments4.As a Liaison Librarian providingsupport for information services and instructional activities, the incumbent:ParticipatesinInformation Services delivery,including:Trainsother Library staff for information service delivery, with particular regardto their assigned subject areas or areas of expertiseProvidinginformation services at virtual and/or physical service pointsConsultationsto faculty and students, andstaffParticipatesin the Library's instructional activities, by:Developing,designing, delivering, and assessing instruction programs, including designinginstructional materials, whether in person, online or in a blendedenvironmentDevelopingmodules for instructional activities as related to areas of subject expertiseWorkingwith faculty to integrate the use of the collection, and research skills intocourse assignments and research activitiesDesigns,develops and maintains effective online and print contentProvides input toother Library departments into maintaining and improving the Library'svirtual user interface and face to face services, including activeparticipation in working groups5.As a Liaison Librarian who may beembedded in an academic School or Department that operates a Resource Centre,the incumbent:Communicateswith the Head, ISR (Davis or Porter) in regards to Resource Centreissues for discussionActs in anadvisory capacity to Library and School on the functional operation ofthe Resource Centre, as appropriateThis excludes management ofday-to-day responsibilities such as Circulation Services, TechnicalServices, troubleshooting equipment (printers, photocopiers, scanner,self-checkout unit), and management of employeesAdviseson the implementation of Resource Centre policies to ensure that they are in keeping with Library andTUG-wide policies and practicesParticipateswith School/department staff in the coordination of activities for thedelivery of information serviceOverseesand makes decisions related to collection storage and maintenanceCommunicateswith School/department administration as appropriate6.As a Liaison Librarian who mayundertake supervision of Library Associates and co-op students, the incumbent:Coaches,trains and develops employee(s) to assure growth and development ofthat(those) individual(s)Conducts regular performance reviews with direct report(s), and supportsachievement of performance goalsMakes decisions on the hiring of his/her direct report(s), inconsultation with the Head, ISR (Davis or Porter)7.Asa Liaison Librarian and/or health information specialist who may have specializedareas of responsibility or expertise, the incumbent:Activelyparticipates on specialized teams or working groups to support the uniqueneeds and strategic goals at the University of WaterlooActivities couldinclude for example:Participationin research projects and grant-funded projects as the information specialistProvisionof training as related to areas of subject expertiseOngoing,proactive acquisition, maintenance, and provision of leadership in thedevelopment of associated skills and knowledge in areas of expected expertiseLiaise,as Library representative, with campus partners such as the Writing Centre,Student Success Office on special projects beyond the scope of normal liaisonactivities with these partnersPosition RequirementsEducation:ALA-accredited MLS/MLIS degree, or equivalentExperience:Academic background and/or applicableknowledge of the specific liaison portfolio(s) demonstrated throughundergraduate or advanced degree, coursework or work experienceProven excellent communication skills, both oral and written, andcommitment to fostering positive working relationships & buildpartnershipsProven self-starter with demonstrated commitment to innovation,creativity, and excellenceDemonstrated ability to independently, aswell as collaboratively, plan, coordinate, implement and assess effectiveservices and collections projects, including managing multiple andsimultaneous projectsDemonstrated ability to analyze data and synthesizerecommendationsProven ability to work effectively in a service orientedenvironment, which values collaboration and collegialityDemonstrated ability to interact with allstaff in a respectful and sensitive mannerTechnical:Knowledge of current practices and trends in the areas of interestto the specific liaisonportfolio(s)Ability to develop, deliver and assessinstructional content, in person and virtually, such as web content,screencasts, webinarsSuperior customer relationship management skillsAbility tomaintain effective working relationships across multiple and diverseorganizations, and across levels within organizations from specialist toexecutive levelAn understanding of the collectiondevelopment process including principles of proactive informationresources development and management, licensing and strong vendorrelationshipsExcellent organizational, analytical and problem-solving skillsKnowledge of current practices and trends inthe areas of information services, information seeking,information literacy and instruction,information resources development and management, scholarly communication,and higher educationAbility to identifynew service and engagement opportunities, that align with Library andCampus Directions and to collaborate with library managers and colleagueson the feasibility, development and sustainability of new services andprogramsAbility and aptitudeto use and learn new technologies to enhance and deliver informationservicesAbility and aptitudeto collaborate in an online, technology-rich environmentExperience with financial and budget informationUnderstands how research contributes to evidence-based decision-makingAssets:Experience in an academic Library settingExperience with information services delivery, in-person orvirtualExperience providing instructional sessions, workshops, orpresentationsDemonstrated experience in leading and managing staff, includingstaff development and coachingTechnical:MS WordExcelPowerPointOtherIntermediateIntermediateIntermediateIntermediateweb content development, Intermediate instructional methods and technologies, Intermediatediscovery and access interfacesNature and ScopeInterpersonal Skills:Internally, communicates with employees in all groups and departmentsthroughout the University community and at all levels to gather ideas,envision, articulate, update and inform on projects s/he is leading orotherwise accountable forExternally, communicates frequently with vendors andcolleagues at other institutions in order to execute work.Level of Responsibility:The position is responsible and accountable for the development and maintenanceof high quality user-focused information resources and services, withparticular focus on the assigned subject areasThe position is fullyaccountable for assigned Department/School acquisitions funds.Decision-Making Authority:Responsible and accountable for the development, delivery, andassessment of instructional services and collection decisions as related toassigned subject areas and/or project leadershipAs required, the positionconsults with the Department Heads, ISR, and members of the Library ManagersGroup.Physical and Sensory Demands:Minimal exposure to disagreeable conditions typical of an officeenvironment.Working Environment:Exposure to stresses related to pressures and priorities related totypical librarian responsibilities.Hasor develops expertise in a specialization that can be shared within and beyondthe University of Waterloo



Liaison Librarian at University of Waterloo , ON