Electronic Resources Acquisitions Librarian

Toronto Metropolitan University

Electronic Resources Acquisitions Librarian
Library - Collection Services
Posted: October 28, 2024
Deadline to Apply: Sunday, December 1, 2024

Located in downtown Toronto, the largest and most culturally diverse city in Canada and on the territory of the Anishinaabeg, Haudenosaunee and the Wendat Peoples, the University Libraries at Toronto Metropolitan University invites applications for the position of Electronic Resources (ER) Acquisitions Librarian, effective May 1, 2025, subject to final budgetary approval.

In recognition of the under-representation of racialized and Indigenous persons in academic librarian roles, the University Libraries especially welcome applications from racialized and Indigenous persons and such candidates are encouraged to self identify through our Applicant Diversity Self-ID questionnaire, accessible through our Faculty Recruitment Portal.



The Opportunity
Toronto Metropolitan University Libraries seeks an innovative and collaborative librarian to lead the Libraries’ acquisitions of electronic resources (ER) in support of the educational and research mission of the University.

This role resides within the Collections Services (CS) Department, under the leadership portfolio of the Associate Dean of Libraries for Scholarly, Research and Creative (ADL, SRC) activities. The ER Acquisitions Librarian will work closely with the Head of Collection Services and ADL SRC to ensure planning, coordination and execution of overarching collection strategies while ensuring the library meets its expenditure targets as communicated by the Dean of Libraries. The ER Acquisitions Librarian is the Chair of the Electronic Resources and Serials Review Committee (ERSRC), working with liaison librarians and Collections Leads to determine the resource priorities for the libraries, including resource trial, selection, deselection, and promotion. They work closely with collections librarians to ensure implementation and access to acquired resources. The librarian keeps on top of changes in ER products and acquisitions models and has ER lifecycle expertise in order to lead resource licensing, vendor negotiations, and copyright compliance.

The ER Acquisitions Librarian supervises 3-4 OPSEU colleagues and leads the navigation of complex University contracting and procurement procedures for license agreements to ensure that financial obligations are met in a timely and accurate manner. They create and maintain policies and workflows related to resource acquisitions. They synthesize and analyze data to create actionable reports. They will engage with and influence key stakeholders across the organization in the execution of their portfolio with diplomacy.

This role may involve liaison work which includes providing expertise in discipline-specific reference, research consultation, library instruction, collection development and collaborative support of graduate programs within the team of liaison librarians. Librarians actively contribute to providing research assistance through both in-person and virtual service points, and may occasionally be required to work non-standard hours, including weekends and evenings.

As a Career Librarian, the incumbent contributes to the Libraries and the University through active participation in the collegial management structure and committees, and engage in professional development and/or scholarly, research and creative activities.


The successful candidate must be a graduate of an accredited library/information school with a MLS/MLIS/MISt/MI degree or acceptable ALA recognized equivalent. In addition, the candidate must present evidence of the following:

2+ years of experience working in technical services/resources department and/or administrative/operations in a relevant library and/or information centre
Knowledge of current models and practices of electronic resource acquisition in an academic library
Experience with negotiating and reviewing license agreements with vendors, publisher, and subscription agents
Experience with budgetary tracking principles
Ability to be successful working in an environment that requires a strong attention to detail, a high degree of accuracy, and good judgment
Demonstrated ability to communicate with tact and diplomacy, using appropriate levels of persuasion and assertiveness with sound judgement and experience
Ability to learn new skills and to be flexible, navigate ambiguity, and adapt to change in a dynamic environment with creativity
Exceptional organizational and time management skills with the ability to prioritize workload and manage competing priorities of their area
A commitment to collaboration and collegiality and a strong focus on service to students, faculty and staff
A commitment to the responsibility of Truth and Reconciliation as outlined in the Calls To Action
A commitment to our values of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion as it pertains to service, teaching, and scholarly, research or creative activities, including a demonstrated ability to make learning accessible and inclusive for a diverse population

Candidates possessing the following will be preferred:

Experience working with consortial acquisitions
Working knowledge of procurement issues, including RFPs, invoicing, and payments
Experience supervising a team
Experience working with library services platform (i.e. Alma) and project management (i.e. Asana) software
Experience with electronic resources usage statistics standard (COUNTER) and protocol (SUSHI)
Ability to analyze data and prepare statistical reports in multiple formats
Budget preparation
Experience teaching information literacy and serving as a liaison to an academic department

Our committee recognizes that individuals have varying career paths and that career interruptions can be part of an excellent professional record. Candidates are encouraged to provide any relevant information about their experience and/or career interruptions.

This position falls under the jurisdiction of the Toronto Metropolitan Faculty Association (TFA) [www.tfanet.ca]. Visit us at www.torontomu.ca/faculty-affairs to view the TFA collective agreement and a summary of TFA benefits.

TMU Libraries
A vibrant and innovative centre of exploration, research, creation and learning, TMU Libraries are positioned at the core of the University’s academic, research and community engagement goals. The Libraries support a diverse community of learners and instructors, researchers and scholars, and community experts and entrepreneurs, and is a hub of interdisciplinary scholarly, research, and creative (SRC) activities. The dedicated team of more than 100 talented individuals supports a growing academic community, including new campuses and a growing number of international students. In addition to our main campus Library, TMU Libraries includes a Law Library branch, and soon to be opened Medical Library branch. TMU Libraries provide crucial academic learning, creation and research resources, programs, services and spaces. Its unique blend of expertise and programming, coupled with access to leading edge technology and an array of information resources, fosters a rich academic environment, supporting the University’s complement of degree programs, and advancing research and discovery, and community outreach and engagement.

The Libraries are committed to the TRC Calls to Action and are actively exploring ways to decolonize our work. These efforts are further supported by the Mash Koh Wee Kah Pooh Win (Standing Strong Task Force) recommendations and the University’s in process renaming initiative. Our ongoing commitment to equity and community inclusion continue to shape and reaffirm our values and priorities as a Library and University.

Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU)
Serving a highly diverse student population of over 48,000, with 125+ undergraduate and graduate programs built on the integration of theoretical and practical learning, and distinguished by a professionally focussed curriculum with a strong emphasis on excellence in teaching, research and creative activities, TMU is a vibrant, urban university known for its culture of innovation, entrepreneurship, community engagement and city-building through its award-winning architecture.

Working at TMU
At the intersection of mind and action, Toronto Metropolitan University is on a transformative path to become Canada’s leading comprehensive innovation university. At TMU, we believe that equity, diversity and inclusion are integral to this path; our current Academic Plan outlines each as core values and we work to embed them in all that we do.

Dedicated to a people first culture, TMU is proud to rank number one on the Forbes list of Canada’s Best Employers for Diversity.

We invite you to explore the range of benefits and supports available to faculty, including access to our diverse faculty and staff networks.

Visit us on X (previously known as Twitter): @torontomet, @VPFAtorontomet and @TorontoMetHR, and our LinkedIn page.

TMU is committed to accessibility for persons with disabilities. To find out more about legal and policy obligations please visit the Accessibility and Human Rights websites.

Toronto Metropolitan University welcomes those who have demonstrated a commitment to upholding the values of equity, diversity, and inclusion and will assist us to expand our capacity for diversity in the broadest sense. In addition, to correct the conditions of disadvantage in employment in Canada, we encourage applications from members of groups that have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples, Indigenous peoples of North America, Black-identified persons, other racialized persons, persons with disabilities, and those who identify as women and/or 2SLGBTQ+.

Additional Information About the Position
Employment Type: Full-Time Career Employee (FTCE)

Salary: In accordance with Article 16.4 of the Collective Agreement, the salary minima are $76,297.75 for Librarian I and $85,125.61 for Librarian II. Salary will commensurate with experience and will increase annually by: i) an Across-the-Board increase and ii) one Career Development Increment (CDI) up to the maximum for satisfactory service and conditional upon receipt of the member’s annual report.

Benefits: Extended health, vision, dental, insurance, tuition waiver benefits and access to the Toronto Metropolitan University Retirement Pension Plan. Five weeks vacation per completed year of service. Sixteen professional development days per year.

Location of Work: Downtown Toronto


How to Apply
Applicants must submit their application online via the Faculty Recruitment Portal [https://hr.cf.torontomu.ca/ams/faculty/] by clicking on “Start Application Process” to begin. Applications, consisting of the following, must be received by December 1, 2024: The position will remain open until filled.

a letter of application;
a curriculum vitae; and
names of three individuals who may be contacted for references.

Please note that all qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, applications from Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority, in accordance with Canadian immigration regulations.

Contacts
Any confidential inquiries about the opportunity can be directed to the Librarian Appointment Committee Chair Lei Jin at leijin@torontomu.ca .

Candidates who belong to one or more of the equity-deserving groups recognized at TMU are welcome to connect with Debbie Thompson [debbie.thompson@torontomu.ca], Executive Director, Office of the Vice-President, Equity and Community Inclusion [www.torontomu.ca/equity].

Indigenous candidates who would like to learn more about working at Toronto Metropolitan University are welcome to contact James McKay, Indigenous Human Resources Lead at indigenous@torontomu.ca.

For any confidential accommodation needs in order to participate in the recruitment and selection process and/or inquiries regarding accessing the Faculty Recruitment Portal, please contact vpfa@torontomu.ca.