Library - Head, Access Services and Outreach
Application Deadline: January 10, 2025
Reference # LIB-2025-26-02
Lakehead University Library, Thunder Bay Campus, invites applications for a Head, Access Services and Outreach. The academic rank of the appointment will be commensurate with the qualifications of the successful candidate. This position will remain open until filled.
About the Library
The total library collection includes approximately 600,000 print volumes and access to over 600,000 e-books, more than 60,000 online journals, and rare and special collections such as the Regional Collection and the Archives. The Chancellor Paterson Library is the main library on the Thunder Bay campus and occupies its own building in the center of campus. There are four additional libraries: one at the Bora Laskin Faculty of Law, the Learning Commons in Simcoe Hall (Orillia), and the Education Library (one location at the Faculty of Education-Thunder Bay and one at Heritage Place-Orillia). Lakehead University Library is an active member of both provincial and national consortia. We provide many services in collaboration with our Ontario Council of University Libraries (OCUL) partners, such as, Ask a Librarian (chat reference service), Scholars Portal, and Borealis - Lakehead University Dataverse. The library is also part of Collaborative Futures, a shared next-generation library system at 19 OCUL libraries. Our involvement with the Canadian Research Knowledge Network (CRKN) as well as other consortia, allows us to provide significant digital content. Our staff complement of over 30 includes 11 librarians and an archivist.
About the University
Lakehead University Library’s mission is to be an innovative organization that anticipates the requirements of the future while respecting the heritage of the past. By providing exceptional services, collections, and spaces, the libraries shape the creation of knowledge, actively preserve and support culture, and transform learning and research.
Lakehead is a comprehensive university with a reputation for innovative programs and cutting-edge research. Our campuses are located in Thunder Bay on the traditional lands of the Fort William First Nation, Signatory to the Robinson Superior Treaty of 1850 and in Orillia on the traditional territory of the Anishinaabeg, and Rama First Nation. Lakehead University acknowledges the history that many nations hold in the areas around our campuses and is committed to a relationship with Métis and Inuit and First Nations peoples. Lakehead has approximately 10,000 students and 2,160 faculty and staff. With an emphasis on collaborative learning and independent critical thinking, and a multidisciplinary teaching approach, Lakehead offers a variety of degree and diploma programs at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels through its nine faculties, including Business Administration, Education, Engineering, Health and Behavioural Sciences, Natural Resources Management, Science and Environmental Studies, Social Sciences and Humanities, Graduate Studies, and Faculty of Law. For further information, please visit: www.lakeheadu.ca.
About the Opportunity
Reporting to the University Librarian, the Head of Access Services and Outreach provides strategic leadership and oversight to ensure the delivery of user-focused library services and outreach to support teaching, learning and research activities at Lakehead University. The Head, Access Services and Outreach is responsible for setting goals and establishing priorities and procedures, as they relate to Access Services and Outreach, across the Lakehead University Library system. This includes strategic oversight and management of all lending and borrowing activities, including interlibrary loan, document delivery and the automated fulfillment network, course reading list support (myReadings), reference and accessibility services, copyright clearance, stacks maintenance and photo ID services. In addition, the Head, Access Services and Outreach will coordinate the library’s outreach and engagement initiatives, including book displays, library programming, tabling and social media.
The position is also responsible for all operations and staff in the Access Services department at Chancellor Paterson Library. This position is supported by an Access Services team that includes the Manager of Access Services, an Evening and Weekend Supervisor, 6 unionized COPE full-time staff, and approximately 15 part-time student employees. Additionally, this position will work closely with branch librarians and the University Archivist to coordinate Access Services and outreach activities across the library system on our two campuses.
Access Services and Outreach Portfolio
Provides strategic leadership and oversight for Access Services across the Lakehead University Library system. This includes leading the Library Access Services Management Team to ensure public services are coordinated among all Lakehead University Library and Archives locations.
Directly supervises the Manager of Access Services and oversees the supervision of the Evening and Weekend Supervisor, 6 COPE full-time staff, and approximately 15 part-time student staff.
Develops and provides training in portfolio areas for library staff.
Coordinates and leads the library’s community engagement, oversees library outreach and programing, and leads the development of our external communications strategy.
Identifies communications, marketing, and community engagement needs and develops appropriate solutions, working closely with other librarians, library staff, and where appropriate, stakeholders outside the library.
Actively participates in communities of practice related to access services, library communications, marketing, and community engagement, and builds connections with librarians working in similar positions across Canada and internationally.
Represents Lakehead University in consortial projects, such as OCUL and Collaborative Futures Initiatives.
Liaison Responsibilities
Liaison responsibilities will be added to the role after a significant onboarding period and with consideration of the librarians’ experience and expertise.
Engages in collection development and management, research consultations, instruction, development and maintenance of LibGuides and instructional videos, and other services and support.
Cultivates partnerships, and actively works towards establishing productive relationships with departmental faculty, staff, adjuncts and visiting professors, and students to integrate the library’s resources in curricula and research projects.
Promotes library services and collections through a variety of communication channels to connect with undergraduates, graduates, faculty, and researchers.
General Responsibilities
Commits to assessment and evidence-based decision making related to services, collections, technology, and physical spaces.
Contributes to the leadership of the library by participating in Librarians’ Council as well as various library and university committees.
Contributes to research and scholarly activities, professional services, service to the university, and service to the profession and community.
Qualifications
Required
A graduate degree from an ALA-accredited school of library and information science.
At least five years of relevant management experience in an academic or research library environment.
Demonstrated commitment to a user-centred approach to library service.
Demonstrated experience in developing and implementing library policies.
Ability to provide leadership on using social media effectively to connect with students, faculty, staff and the broader Lakehead community.
Experience providing information literacy instruction, reference and research support, and collection development.
Ability to work effectively both independently and in collaboration with others.
Knowledge of library systems and applications.
Excellent organizational, analytical and interpersonal skills.
Excellent written and oral communication skills.
Preferred
Knowledge and experience with consortial approaches to service delivery.
Experience with Ex Libris Alma and Primo platforms.
Experience with technologies used in graphic design, and social media engagement.
Strong supervisory and team-building skills and demonstrated experience providing leadership to staff in an effective, productive and positive manner.
Experience working in a unionized environment.
Aptitude for learning new technologies.
Some evening and weekend work may be required.
For further information, please contact Robin Canuel. Detailed information on the library, our services and resources are available at: https://library.lakeheadu.ca
Review of applications will begin on January 10, 2025 and will continue until the position is filled. The electronic application (in the form of one PDF document), quoting Reference # LIB-2025-26-02 should include: a letter of interest, a curriculum vitae and a completed Confirmation of Eligibility to Work in Canada.pdf form.
Applicants should submit their electronic application to:
Robin Canuel
University Librarian
Lakehead University Library
Thunder Bay, Ontario
Email: applications.library@lakeheadu.ca
Lakehead University is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and welcomes applications from all qualified individuals including women, racialized persons, Indigenous people, persons with disabilities and other equity-seeking groups. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority. This is in accordance with Canadian immigration requirements.
Lakehead University has an Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan 2019-2024 with a goal to recruit and retain a diverse workforce as measured by increasing representation of under-represented groups among applicants, candidates and hires. We encourage candidates to self-identify, if you are from an under-represented group, and prefer candidates with the knowledge, competencies and relationships derived from lived experience. Experience working with Indigenous or racialized communities, and/or members of other equity-deserving groups is a strong asset. A lived experience or worked experience of any of these issues is preferred.
We appreciate your interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be notified. Lakehead University is committed to supporting an accessible environment. Applicants requiring accommodation during the interview process should contact the Office of Human Resources at (807) 343.8010 ext. 8334 or human.resources@lakeheadu.ca to make appropriate arrangements.
This position is subject to budgetary approval.