Collections Librarian, Libraries and Cultural Resources

University of Calgary

Collections Librarian, Libraries and Cultural Resources
Job ID: 36034
Location: Main Campus

We would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the traditional territories of the people of the Treaty 7 region in Southern Alberta.
The City of Calgary is also home to Métis Nation of Alberta, Districts 5 and 6.

Description

Libraries and Cultural Resources (LCR) at the University of Calgary invites applications for a full-time continuing position as Collections Librarian at the rank of Assistant or Associate Librarian. The anticipated start date is January 1, 2026.

This role is part of the Collections Unit, within the portfolio of the Associate University Librarian for Collections, Content Services and Research Support. The Collections Librarian will work closely with the Director, Collections as part of a collaborative team, playing a key role in the lifecycle management of the library's electronic, physical, and open access content.

The position requires a motivated, process-oriented, and strategic professional committed to the development of collections in an academic library. The Collections Librarian ensures seamless access to resources through effective vendor communication, license negotiation and assessment. Working collaboratively with library colleagues, consortial partners, and campus partners, the position supports evidence-informed collection development that responds to the teaching and research needs of the institution. The position will require advanced and evolving skills in technical and analytical work in a deadline-driven and dynamic environment.

Work in LCR is influenced by our Indigenous Strategy ii' taa'poh' to'p and the Ahead of Tomorrow Strategic Plan. The incumbent is required to carry out collection development and acquisition though "parallel paths" to ensure Indigenous ways of knowing are incorporated throughout the collection and ensuing processes.

This academic position requires appropriate participation and involvement in scholarship, teaching and service is expected, commensurate with rank.

Responsibilities:
• Contribute to the development and management of the University Library general collection of physical, electronic and open access resources through a research library and user-centric lens.
• Advise and consult with the Director, Collections in matters related to the collections budget and collections-related activities.
• Guide and support the operational aspects of collection development in all formats, including creating workflows, assessment, and project planning.
• Partner with consortia, vendors and stakeholders on behalf LCR to ensure favourable license terms, access, pricing and language, and approve timely renewal expenditures for subscriptions and other continuing resources as assigned.
• Work collaboratively and independently as part of the Collections team to acquire, license, and make available library resources of all formats. This will include managing vendor relationships to ensure quality service and strategic acquisitions, leading negotiations, and using data-driven assessments to maximize impact and cost-effectiveness in assigned areas such as monograph or serials acquisitions.
• Prepare and present information to appropriate stakeholders to help inform collection decisions, promote resources, and arrange training on using library collections.
• Work with stakeholders to develop, implement, and document workflows and practices related to acquisitions, electronic resource management and collection management.
• Actively manage the full life cycle of subscription resources, including product evaluation, title list management, title changes, publisher and package changes, renewals, and post-cancellation access.
• Coordinate the licensing of electronic resources under supervision by the Director, Collections and with all involved parties, including reading licenses, suggesting licensing language, reviewing old licenses for needed updates, tracking, documenting and making terms available to the university community through the library system.

Qualifications:
• Masters' degree from an ALA-accredited library/information school, or acceptable equivalent
• Assistant librarian: one to three years of professional experience related to collection development in an academic research library
• Associate librarian: At least three years of progressively responsible professional experience related to collection development in an academic research library
• Knowledge of current models and practices of electronic resource acquisition in an academic library
• A strong interest in e-resource licensing and in developing and sustaining effective vendor partnerships
• Experience with budgetary tracking principles
• Ability to work successfully in a complex environment requiring a strong attention to detail, a high degree of accuracy and good judgement
• Demonstrated oral and written communication skills to represent the needs and values of LCR
• A forward-looking view on collections development strategies and an ability to navigate ambiguity in a dynamic environment
• Excellent organizational and time management skills with the ability to prioritize workload and manage competing priorities in a deadline-driven environment
• Knowledge of library e-resources and publication processes in traditional and open access environments
• Evidence of a collegial approach to work and a commitment to providing excellent service to students, faculty, and staff

Preferred qualifications:
• Experience working with consortial acquisitions
• Experience working with a library management system (e.g. Alma/Primo) and background modules (e.g., Leganto, Rialto, Gobi)
• Experience preparing budgets
• Project management experience
• Familiarity with concepts related to usage statistics and an interest in analyzing data to prepare reports

Salary and Benefits:
Position will be commensurate with qualifications and experience at the rank of Assistant or Associate Librarian. The University of Calgary's comprehensive benefits and pension program is designed to promote a productive level of health and well-being to staff members through coverage for health, dental, life insurance, income protection for disability, and retirement income planning.

The salary range:
Assistant Librarian rank: $70,615 - $90,322
Associate Librarian rank: $83,179 - $110,526

For further salary and benefits information, please refer to: https://www.ucalgary.ca/hr/sites/default/files/teams/239/tucfa-schedule-a.pdf

Application Procedure:
Interested individuals are encouraged to apply online using the 'Apply Now' link at our UCalgary Careers website via https://careers.ucalgary.ca/jobs/16887061-collections-librarian-libraries-and-cultural-resources.
Please submit a letter of application addressing background and experience relevant to the position, a current curriculum vitae and the contact information, for three professional references, in one pdf.

Application Deadline: Wednesday, November 12, 2025

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.

For further information, contact:
Christie Hurrell
Associate University Librarian, Collections, Content Services and Research Support
Libraries and Cultural Resources
University of Calgary
Email: achurrel@ucalgary.ca

Business address and Job Location: 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4
Language of work: English

The University of Calgary has launched an institution-wide Indigenous Strategy (https://www.ucalgary.ca/indigenous-strategy/) committing to creating a rich, vibrant, and culturally competent campus that welcomes and supports Indigenous Peoples, encourages Indigenous community partnerships, is inclusive of Indigenous perspectives in all that we do.

As an equitable and inclusive employer, the University of Calgary recognizes that a diverse staff/faculty benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers that have been historically encountered by some people in our society. We strive to recruit individuals who will further enhance our diversity and will support their academic and professional success while they are here. In particular, we encourage members of the designated groups (women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible/racialized minorities, and diverse sexual orientation and gender identities) to apply. To ensure a fair and equitable assessment, we offer accommodation at any stage during the recruitment process to applicants with disabilities. Questions regarding [diversity] EDI at UCalgary can be sent to the Office of Institutional Commitments (equity@ucalgary.ca) and requests for accommodations can be sent to Human Resources (hrhire@ucalgary.ca).

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. In this connection, at the time of your application, please answer the following question: Are you a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada? (Yes/No)

For a listing of all academic opportunities at the University of Calgary, view our Academic Careers website (http://careers.ucalgary.ca/pages/academic-careers). For more information about Libraries and Cultural Resources, please visit https://library.ucalgary.ca/.

About the University of Calgary
UCalgary is Canada's entrepreneurial university, located in Canada's most enterprising city. It is a top research university and one of the highest-ranked universities of its age. Founded in 1966, its 36,000 students experience an innovative learning environment, made rich by research, hands-on experiences and entrepreneurial thinking. It is Canada's leader in the creation of start-ups (https://ucalgary.ca/news/ucalgary-top-startup-creator-amongst-research-institutions-canada). Start something today at the University of Calgary (https://www.ucalgary.ca/startsomething).
For more information, visit ucalgary.ca.

About Calgary, Alberta
Calgary is one of the world's cleanest cities and has been named one of the world's most livable cities for years. Calgary is a city of leaders - in business, community, philanthropy and volunteerism. Calgarians benefit from a growing number of world-class dining and cultural events and enjoy more days of sunshine per year than any other major Canadian city. Calgary is less than an hour's drive from the majestic Rocky Mountains and boasts the most extensive urban pathway and bikeway network in North America.