York University Libraries invites qualified Indigenous candidates to apply for a librarian appointment in the Department of Student Learning & Academic Success to commence July 1, 2022. This is a continuing appointment at the Assistant or Associate librarian level.

Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.  All York University positions are subject to budgetary approval. 

Seeking to strengthen the representation of Indigenous faculty and the inclusion of Indigenous knowledges and perspectives, this opportunity is part of the University’s Affirmative Action program that has been developed based on the special program provisions of the Ontario Human Rights Code. This selection will be limited to individuals who self-identify as an Aboriginal (Indigenous) person. Thus, to receive full consideration, candidates should complete and submit a self-identification form as part of York University’s Affirmative Action program which can be found at https://acadjobs.info.yorku.ca/affirmative-action/.

York University Libraries (YUL) seeks a dynamic and innovative individual to collaborate on the advancements of York University Libraries’ portfolio in support of the teaching and learning community across campus and beyond with a focus on information literacy in both in-person and online teaching environments.  The successful candidate will focus on incorporating Indigenous ways of knowing and knowledge systems and Indigenous pedagogy into information literacy practices, instruction, and initiatives. This continuing appointment position is open to those with some critical understanding of ACRL’s Framework for Information Literacy for Higher Education. 

York is a leading international teaching and research university, and a driving force for positive change. Empowered by a welcoming and diverse community with a uniquely global perspective, we are preparing our students for their long-term careers and personal success. Together, we can make things right for our communities, our planet and our future.

York University Libraries (YUL) has approximately 200 employees that include 44 full time faculty librarians and archivists, 140 staff and students located in the four libraries on the Keele campus, in our French Language campus (Glendon College), at the information centre located at our eco-campus in Costa Rica, and in our Markham campus (opening in 2023). With collections of over 2.4 million volumes, YUL is recognized for rich historical and community-engaged archives and special collections, progressive services for accessibility, innovative technologies, and robust services in support of teaching, learning, research and scholarship. YUL provides campus leadership on information literacy, open scholarship inclusive of open access, open education, open data and research data management.  YUL aspires to develop leadership on Indigenous learning, pedagogy and methodology as it relates to library and information science.  

Reporting to the Director of Student Learning & Academic Success (SLAS), the candidate will work in a collaborative team environment to advance a cohesive and coordinated approach to developing students’ information and other academic literacies throughout programs and initiatives to create critical thinkers and life-long learners.

Primary responsibilities include: 

• Reciprocally communicating the importance of Indigenous Knowledges to students, faculty, and colleagues via library colleagues.
• Building relationships with Indigenous faculty, students and other community groups in support of their teaching, learning, and research needs.
• Partnering with faculty to encourage information literacy within courses and within the curriculum, with an ability to identify areas to broaden and include Indigenous knowledges.
• Advocating for the library’s role in student learning, academic success, and development across the curriculum with specialization in Indigenous content, methods, teaching and learning. 
• Providing library instruction using a repertoire of pedagogies, including Indigenous ways of knowing. 
• In collaboration with library units, help developing the Libraries’ support for Indigenous students and scholars in concert with the Indigenous Framework for York University: A Guide to Action.             

Other duties include: 

• Contributing to and advocating for professional development opportunities and other forms of career advancement for teaching librarians. 
• Promoting and advancing information literacy to library leaders and campus administrators. 
• Actively participating in decision-making activities undertaken within the Libraries and the University through collegial contributions to committees and other groups. 
• Collaborating with colleagues across divisions and departments to support key library priorities including evidence-based collection analysis at York University.
• Advancing the profession through research, publication, and participation in professional and community organizations.
• Providing service to the University, Indigenous community relationships, or profession.

The incumbent will keep abreast of emerging areas of interest and innovation on campus and in the field, paying particular attention to Indigeneity. They will also identify evolving tools and resources that advance scholarly investigation while building on traditional research methodologies. The successful applicant will proactively engage in ongoing self-directed learning and professional development to bring recent technologies and Indigenous methodologies into York University's teaching and research environment. The incumbent will also represent the Libraries on local, regional and/or international information literacy organizations and Indigenous initiatives.

York University Libraries pursues excellence in teaching by advancing the discovery, preservation, creation, and dissemination of knowledge through leadership, creativity, and collaboration. All librarians and archivists advance this mission and as such will be assigned teaching responsibilities. Other duties and disciplinary responsibilities may be assigned considering institutional priorities or the incumbent's disciplinary knowledge and research interests.

Qualifications 

The candidate must have a Master of Library and Information Studies (MLIS) from an ALA accredited program, or its recognized equivalent.

The candidate must self-identify as an Aboriginal (Indigenous) person.

The Search Committee takes Indigenous identification seriously. In addition to self-identification, the Committee considers the importance of kinship, citizenship, and connections to Indigenous communities. Accordingly, the Search Committee strongly advises applicants to include in their application package a letter of support from an Indigenous community member, government, or organization, which can speak to the applicant's community and family relationships. The letter should include the applicant's connections to their Indigenous community and traditional territories.

Candidates must demonstrate:

• relations to Indigenous communities;
• an understanding of Indigenous ways of knowing within a higher education setting;
• an understanding of concepts, goals, and methods of information literacy, including a critical understanding of ACRL’s Framework for Information Literacy in Higher Education;
• capacity and evidence of building effective working relationships with institutional and external colleagues, and communities;
• teaching and presentation experience;
• an understanding of the diverse experiences of Indigenous Peoples and communities;
• experience working with Indigenous Peoples and communities;
• potential to advance new Indigenous programmatic areas and outreach programs and engage stakeholders in these developments; 

• research interest and agenda, including potential to contribute to research (e.g., publications, presentations, or productions); professional development and/or active involvement in professional, scholarly and/or community organizations;  
• excellent interpersonal, communication and presentation skills;
• ability to successfully manage multiple projects with competing deadlines.

Additional Skills and Desirable Qualifications: 

• Some spoken and written fluency in an Indigenous language (i.e., Anishinaabemowin, Kanien'kéha, Nehiyawak, Mi'kmawi'simk, Inuktitut, Michif, etc.)

About the Position

This is a continuing appointment at the Assistant or Associate Librarian level starting from 1 July 2022. York offers a competitive salary commensurate with qualifications and an exceptional benefits package.
 
Librarians and Archivists at York University have academic status and are members of the York University Faculty Association bargaining unit (http://www.yufa.ca). 

Accommodations

York University has a policy on Accommodation in Employment for Persons with Disabilities and is committed to working towards a barrier-free workplace and to expanding the accessibility of the workplace to persons with disabilities. Candidates who require accommodation during the selection process are invited to contact the Chair of the Search Committee. 

Affirmative Action

York University is an Affirmative Action (AA) employer and strongly values diversity, including gender and sexual diversity, within its community. The AA Program, which applies to women, members of visible minorities (racialized groups), Aboriginal (Indigenous) people and persons with disabilities, can be found at www.yorku.ca/acadjobs or by calling the AA line at 416-736-5713. Applicants who wish to self-identify in additional categories can do so by downloading, completing and submitting the form found at: https://acadjobs.info.yorku.ca/affirmative-action/.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian citizens, permanent residents and Indigenous peoples in Canada will be given priority. No application will be considered without a completed mandatory Work Status Declaration form which is available through the application process and can also be found at http://acadjobs.info.yorku.ca/affirmative-action/work-authorization-form. Consideration will be given to those who have followed non-traditional career paths or had career interruptions. 

Timeline  

The deadline for receipt of completed applications has been extended to March 1, 2022. 
 

How to Apply

Send an application letter, a current curriculum vitæ, contact information for three references, and a completed self-identification and work status forms to: 
 
Norda Bell
Chair, Indigenous Teaching and Learning Librarian Search Committee
York University Libraries
516 Scott Library
4700 Keele St.
Toronto, ON M3J 1P3
Email: yulapps@yorku.ca

York University recognizes its presence in the traditional territory of many Indigenous Nations. The region known as Tkaronto has been preserved by the Anishinabek Nation, the Haudenosaunee Confederation and the Huron-Wendat. It is now home to a large number of Indigenous, Inuit and Métis communities. We recognize the current treaty holders, the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation. This territory is subject to the Wampum Belt Treaty (“Dish with One Spoon”), an agreement defining the peaceful sharing and preservation of the Great Lakes region. York University supports Indigenous research and education through its Indigenous Framework for York University, Indigenous Student Services Center, Glendon Indigenous Affairs Committee and Skennen'kó: wa Gamig, a space for Indigenous faculty, staff and student community. York is committed to fostering understanding, respect and connection with Indigenous communities. The University works to support the recruitment and success of Indigenous undergraduate and graduate students, the integration of Indigenous cultures, approaches and perspectives into curriculum and research, collaboration with Indigenous communities, as well as the recruitment and retention of Indigenous faculty and staff.

Apply online here

Submit specified application materials to yulapps@yorku.ca.