Archival & Special Collections / Rare Book Librarian - Assistant or Associate Librarian

Position Title / Rank: Rare Book Librarian, Archival & Special Collections - Assistant or Associate Librarian

Department: Library Archival and Special Collections 

Position Description:

The McLaughlin Library at the University of Guelph invites applications for a Rare Book Librarian position at the rank of Assistant Librarian (Continuing Appointment-track) or Associate Librarian (Continuing Appointment). The anticipated start date is October 1, 2025, or another mutually agreed-upon date in 2025.

This is an exciting opportunity for a special collections professional to lead the stewardship and activation of one of Canada’s most distinctive rare book collections, which includes strengths in agriculture, culinary history, Scottish studies, theatre, and rare books more broadly. As a key member of Archival & Special Collections (A&SC), you will shape cataloguing practices, develop and deliver instruction grounded in primary source literacy, and lead outreach and exhibition initiatives that bring our collections to life for diverse audiences. The position also offers the opportunity to engage in original research and scholarship using A&SC’s rich holdings, contributing to the advancement of knowledge in librarianship, the humanities, and beyond. We are looking for a collaborative, forward-thinking librarian who is passionate about rare books, committed to inclusive and accessible practices, and eager to contribute to a dynamic, learner-centred academic environment.

The A&SC team is a small, collaborative group of dedicated professionals. Together, the team brings a wide range of expertise to the stewardship, discovery, and creative engagement with the McLaughlin Library’s unique and diverse primary source and non-circulating collections. We foster a supportive environment that encourages innovation, scholarship, and meaningful community engagement.

In keeping with the University of Guelph’s commitment to fostering inclusive excellence through promoting Indigenization, equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility, there will be a preference for selecting a person who is a member of at least one of the following groups: Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, racialized persons, and 2SLGBTQIA+ persons. The University of Guelph invites applications from all qualified individuals; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.

All candidates will be required to complete the Applicant Tracking Questionnaire when applying, and an additional questionnaire if invited to interview. Self-identification is optional but required for consideration under this preference. Applicants who self-identify as an Indigenous person on the applicant tracking questionnaire will be asked to confirm their Indigenous citizenship and/or ancestral and kinship connections to a recognized and inherent First Nation, Inuit or Métis, Native American, Alaskan Native, or Native Hawaiian nation, community, treaty, land claim, territory or region through a confidential follow-up process facilitated by the Offices of Diversity and Human Rights and Indigenous Initiatives.

The position reports to the head, A&SC, and the successful candidate will be a member of the A&SC team. The rare book librarian:

• Curates and makes accessible A&SC’s rare book and monograph collections and helps to develop sustainable strategies for the ongoing use, development, and stewardship of ASC’s collections.

• Oversees all aspects of Special Collections rare book cataloguing including setting policies, procedures, and workflows, training A&SC staff, and personally cataloguing rare and/or valuable items as appropriate.

• Takes a leadership role in the design and delivery of instruction sessions using A&SC’s collections of primary source material and the SAA/RBMS Guidelines for Primary Source Literacy where appropriate.

• Oversees the planning, programming, and installation of Library exhibitions, including engaging in outreach initiatives and collection promotion.

• Participates in special projects, committees, and team processes to advance the goals, values, and mission of the A&SC team, the McLaughlin Library, and the University of Guelph.

• Works collaboratively with colleagues and faculty in a team-based environment.

• Maintains current awareness of best practices and emerging trends in Special Collections, information literacy, academic libraries, and higher education.

• Engages in scholarship, including research, study, professional development, scholarly and/or creative activities.
• Engages in service, including to the University, academic or professional service, and/or relevant community service.

Required Qualifications:

• ALA-accredited MLS/MLIS degree or equivalent.
• A minimum of three years’ experience working in an Archival & Special Collections unit.
• Demonstrated track record of success in delivering instruction sessions at the post-secondary level including knowledge of instructional design and pedagogy.
• Demonstrated experience in the curation, development, and stewardship of rare book or special collections, including knowledge of collection development practices, preservation considerations, and strategies for enhancing access and long-term sustainability.
• Experience providing primary source material reference support and broad knowledge of information sources and tools in academic libraries.

• Demonstrated commitment to the principles of Indigenization, equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility in libraries and higher education.
• Strong communication, interpersonal, and critical thinking skills.
• Ability to work in a collaborative and collegial team-based organization.
• Self-directed and well organized with the ability to prioritize work and meet deadlines.
• Knowledge of accessible teaching practices, accessible document creation, and accessible digital media creation. 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with curating, planning, and installing library exhibitions, including a strong focus on outreach initiatives and promotion.
• Experience building and sustaining partnerships with faculty, campus groups, and community organizations to support engagement with special collections.
• Experience with a variety of relevant software applications including Alma, Access to Memory, and Microsoft Office suite.

The University of Guelph resides on the traditional lands and territory of the Anishinaabeg, Haudenosaunee and Huron Wendat. These lands are now home to a rich diversity of First Nations, Inuit and Métis people. We offer our respect and gratitude to our Indigenous neighbours and affirm our responsibility to realize our commitments to reconciliation through ongoing action. We are guided in this work by Bi-Naagward | It Comes into View, the Indigenous Initiatives Strategy.

The University of Guelph is the third largest employer in Guelph, a city of over 144,000 people, located about an hour drive west of Toronto, Ontario. University of Guelph is a top-ranked comprehensive university in Canada with an enrolment of more than 30,000 undergraduate and graduate students across more than 40 academic units. The University is known for its commitment to student learning, innovative research, and collaboration with world-class partners. It is a unique place, with transformative research and teaching and a distinctive campus culture. People who learn and work here are shaped and inspired by a shared purpose: To Improve Life. Reflecting that shared purpose in every experience connected to our university positions us to create positive change, here and around the world. Our University community shares a profound sense of social responsibility, a drive for international development, and an obligation to address global issues.

Application Process

Internal applicants: If you are a current employee of the University of Guelph you must apply on the internal Career Page to be considered as an internal applicant. SuccessFactors: Career Opportunities (sapsf.com).

External applicants: Create an account on https://careers.uoguelph.ca/.

All applicants: Apply for the advertised librarian position (Requisition ID #1613 by submitting the following materials (in an integrated single PDF file):

1. A one-to-two-page statement outlining how your knowledge, skills, and experience relate to the responsibilities and qualifications of the position; and current efforts and future plans to advance Indigenization, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility in the context of your professional work; 
2. A curriculum vitae; and
3. Names of three references (including two direct supervisors and one peer/collaborator) for either most recent or immediately prior position.

Applications should be submitted by the posted end date and can be addressed to the attention of: Curtis Sassur, head, Archival & Special Collections, McLaughlin Library.

Assessment of applications will begin as they are received and will continue until the position is filled.

Questions about the application process may be directed to Sheryl Cantlon, Executive Assistant to the UL, Office of the University Librarian, McLaughlin Library at libadmin@uoguelph.ca.

Date Posted: 07/25/2025
Deadline: 08/22/2025 or until a suitable candidate is found.

This position is represented by the University of Guelph Faculty Association (UGFA). 

The University of Guelph commits to fostering inclusive excellence through promoting Indigenization, equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility. Inclusion is a core pillar of Our Time, our strategic plan, which pledges to “transform our human resources, governance and student services and practices across the University to enable us to recruit a diverse student, faculty and staff body and support them in achieving their personal, professional and scholarly goals.” The University commits to creating and maintaining “equitable work environments that empower us in our pursuit of student, faculty and staff success, research excellence, innovation and impact.”

The University of Guelph recognizes that career paths can be diverse and career interruptions may occur. We encourage applicants to note in their applications whether they would like considerations given to the impact of any circumstances, such as (but not limited to) those due to health and/or family reasons, that may have affected an applicant’s record of achievement. You are not required to disclose these circumstances in the hiring process. If you choose to do so, the University will ensure that these circumstances do not negatively impact the assessment of your qualifications for the position. 

The University of Guelph is committed to ensuring all applicants have fair and equitable participation in the hiring process. If you anticipate needing medical accommodations during the recruitment or selection processes, confidential assistance is available on request by contacting Occupational Health and Wellness at 519-824-4120 x52674. If you have any questions regarding accommodations or accessibility during the hiring process or for more information and support, please visit the University’s Occupational Health and Wellness or contact OHW at ohw@uoguelph.ca.