Collection Development Librarian

Halifax Public Libraries invites INTERNAL and EXTERNAL applications for the term, full-time position of Collection Development Librarian in the Collection Management Department, located at Woodlawn Public Library.

This is a unionized position. Preference will be given to internal NSUPE Local 14 employees.

Halifax Public Libraries is an inclusive employer committed to employment equity and building a diverse workforce. We encourage all qualified persons to apply and self-identify. We will accommodate applicants’ needs under the Nova Scotia Human Rights Act throughout all stages of the recruitment and selection process. If you require an accommodation, we will confidentially address your needs.

ABOUT THE BRANCH
The Collection Management department works closely with library branches and departments in order to provide relevant and timely service. We build digital and physical collections by focusing on high quality and relevant selections that reflect the interests and diversity of our community. We provide easy access to these collections to meet the needs of our community.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Collection Development Librarian must uphold the Library's commitment to intellectual freedom throughout their daily work.

As a Collection Development Librarian at Halifax Public Libraries you will:

• Select material to build the Library’s physical and digital collections

  Stay up to date on current industry and publishing trends to anticipate demand and changes to collection development work

  Consult a wide variety of print and digital review sources, including professional literature, publisher and vendor catalogues, and attending meetings and/or industry webinars

  Review customer suggestions for purchase, submissions by authors and creators, donations, and staff identified collection gaps

  Analyze circulation and collection data and use these insights to help inform collection development

  Work closely with the Manager of Collection Development in developing and implementing collection development standards and procedures

• Oversee the collection maintenance of the Library’s physical and digital collections

  Work with Branch Leads to respond to collection needs, helping to balance system-wide needs with branch-specific needs

  Weed the collection based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, publication date, out-of-date information, superseded information, and items that are no longer in demand based on number of checkouts and/or unnecessary extra copies

  Maintain back catalogue titles of popular authors and series

  Develop, simplify, or improve collection-related processes undertaken by branch staff

• Spend within allocated budgets and meet expenditure deadlines

  Make recommendations regarding budget allocations

  Consider cost of items and return on investment

  Assign allocated budgets to both new material and back catalogue titles

  Adjust spending within allocated budgets to respond to changing collection needs, and community demand and interests

• Actively promote print and digital collections

  Oversee the creation of staff lists for the Library’s website and digital platforms and create monthly staff lists for the Library’s website and digital platforms

  Develop and implement promotion plans with Marketing & Communications for launching new collections and resources

  Participate in interviews to promote the collection and answer media-related inquiries related to collection initiatives

• Lead region-wide collection projects and participate on regional teams in a leadership capacity

  Provide collection subject matter expertise and advice to staff and leadership across the organization

  Collaborate with branch leadership to respond to changes in community needs and collection demand

  Work with branch leadership and staff to prepare for branch renovations

• Lead staff and foster a respectful workplace for library staff and users

  Hire staff with support from HR Partners and Manager

  Ensure new staff receive department-specific orientation and training

  Train and coach staff and provide performance management

• Utilize specialized collection knowledge to provide customer service to both internal customers (coworkers) as well as external customers (the public, authors, illustrators, publishers, vendors, partners, etc).

  Respond to challenges and concerns about the collection, explaining the Collection Development Policy, selection criteria, intellectual freedom, and decisions to add or not add titles

  Correspond directly with authors, illustrators, creators, and publishers about the library’s collection development policy and selection process

  Answer general customer and staff queries about the collection via phone and email

• Collect performance measures, identify trends, write reports and proposals, and create action plans

• Conduct professional research and assume responsibility for specific projects, including developing and launching new collections

• Create and deliver collection-related training

• Uphold the Library’s commitment to intellectual freedom

DO YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES?

Education & Experience:

Graduate Degree in Library Science and two (2) years of related experience.

Specific Knowledge and Technical Experience

Requirements:

• Read and write English
• Demonstrated experience working with budgets
• Knowledge of adult and/or young adult and children’s literature and ability to apply knowledge to select relevant materials for the collection
• Demonstrated leadership experience and ability to provide instruction, coaching and training
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, conflict resolution skills, and customer service skills
• Knowledge and understanding of Intellectual Freedom
• Experience working with diverse communities
• Intermediate computer knowledge and skills including: Functions of a web browser Microsoft office applicationSocial media application
• Intermediate technology skills including: Willingness to learn and experiment with additional tools and technologies.

Assets:

• Experience working in an Integrated Library System (ILS)
• Understanding of Machine Readable Catalogue (MARC) records
• Knowledge of digital collections
• Experience with vendor relationships
• Familiarity with the publishing industry
• Fluency in a second language

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Sitting and operating a computer for more than 90% of the time
• Occasional moving and /or transporting objects up to 35lbs.
• Physical Demands of presentations
• Considerable Computer use
• Frequent need for recognizing small print
• Focus and attention to detail
• Handling upset customers, authors, illustrators, creators, and publishers