Indigenous Librarian

About the Library

Calgary Public Library is one of the largest municipal library systems in North America, serving more than 800,000 active members at 21 locations around the city.

Libraries connect people to ideas, inspiration, and insight. Our staff make a big impact on individuals and families every day, often through simple, small interactions. At the Library, you’ll take an innovative, creative approach to programs and services, considering the best ways to support our community and patrons of all ages.

We collaborate with different points of view, inspiring curiosity and growth as our varying backgrounds and expertise come together. At the Library, those varied perspectives and lived experiences make us stronger to better serve our community. We are committed to equity, diversity, and creating a sense of belonging for everyone.

Calgary Public Library represents unlimited possibilities and inspires people of all ages to wonder, seek, discover, and share. Calgary’s 22 libraries are community hubs that ignite learning, discussion, innovation, and action and our patrons are curious, creative, and resilient.This is accomplished through the Library’s commitment to empowering community by connecting you to ideas and experiences, inspiration and insight.

To achieve our vision of Potentials Realized, Calgary Public Library is seeking leaders with ideas, energy, passion and commitment who can help us make a difference in the lives of Calgarians and take public library services to a new level of excellence.

Land Acknowledgement

The Calgary Public Library acknowledges the ancestral home, culture, and oral teachings of the Treaty 7 signatories which includes the Siksika Nation, Piikani Nation, Kainai Nation, the Îethka Stoney Nakoda Nation, consisting of the Chiniki, Bearspaw, and Goodstoney Bands, and the people of the Tsuut’ina Nation. The City of Calgary is also homeland to the historic Northwest Métis and to the Otipemisiwak Métis Government, Métis Nation Battle River Territory, Nose Hill Métis District 5 and Elbow Métis District 6.

External Posting: Indigenous Librarian, Central Library (permanent, full time)

Reporting to the Sr. Manager, Service Delivery, the Indigenous Librarian is a key member of the Library's leadership team. The Indigenous Librarian oversees the deployment of service innovations in the Library, particularly those related to the Library's Indigenous Services and Outreach work. Taking a system wide leadership role in actively supporting the Library and employees through the process of Truth and Reconciliation, this position is responsible for:

• Working closely with the Indigenous Service Design Lead to foster community relationships, build system understanding and capacity in Indigenous ways of knowing and protocol, and to set a strategy for the roll out of programming and services throughout the Library.
• Leading system projects and initiatives (including training and professional learning).
• Supporting the growth, development, and management of library collections, including Indigenous collections and resources.
• Collaborating with teams to coordinate program delivery and outreach within the City and on reserve
• Supporting daily library activities, including customer service and supervision of an assigned group of employees;
• Independently represent the Library in the community and with partner agencies

We are seeking candidates with the following qualifications:

• Identify as First Nations, Metis, or Inuit and have knowledge and understanding of Indigenous communities including history, traditions, and cultural protocols (knowledge of Treaty 7 communities is preferred).
• Experience delivering Indigenous programs and initiatives in a culturally sensitive way, grounded in an Indigenous perspective.
• Completion of/enrolled in a Master of Library Science
• Strong relationship building skills, including demonstrated experience building respectful, reciprocal relationships with members of Indigenous communities.
• Ability to lead engaging and enriching programs and activities, both in the Library and out in the community

• Excellent verbal and written communications skills, presentation skills, and public speaking skills including the ability to adjust communication style to interact effectively with users of different ages, backgrounds, and abilities
• Ability to multi-task and prioritize work
• Experience in application of project management tools and strategies.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively with a variety of groups
• Commitment to continuous improvement and self-directed learning
• Intermediate to advanced technology skills