Library Specialist - Communications & Community Engagement

Located within the traditional land of the Anishnaabek, Haudenosaunee, and Wendat-Wyandot-Wyandotte peoples, the Town of The Blue Mountains is a four-season community with stunning natural features, including the Niagara Escarpment, Beaver Valley, and the Georgian Bay shoreline. Internationally recognized as a four-season tourism destination, The Blue Mountains offers a high-quality lifestyle that caters to families seeking to build a solid foundation, adventurers looking to explore off-the-beaten-path experiences, and relaxation seekers taking in and experiencing the very best the area has to offer.

The Blue Mountains Public Library (BMPL) is one of three Gallery, Library, Archive, and Museums (GLAM) in Ontario and is looking for a team player with a shared commitment to building an engaged community, and shares the values of integrity, inclusivity, excellence, accountability, and stewardship for the well-being of our residents.

Come gain a unique experience in the 2nd fastest growing municipality in Canada!

Position Summary

The Library Specialist is a skilled professional with expertise in the provision of accredited excellence in library services and programs. This staff is responsible for supporting customer service, supervision of the facilities, and supporting the CEO in achieving goals and standards. This position is both technical and customer-facing, responsible for the creation of marketing and promotion, and assisting with outreach and engagement efforts across the organization.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Produce and create print and digital graphic design materials for a wide range of marketing and communication projects, including, but not limited to, promotional and advertising materials, monthly e-newsletters and blogs, webpages, online and social media content, strategic documents, signage, logos, event collateral, print ads for local newspapers, and brochures.
• Develop, manage, and assess social media strategies and content to enhance community engagement and promote GLAM programs and services.
• Provide respectful coaching to other staff members’ marketing and communication projects.
• Utilize project management skills to develop independent and collaborative workback schedules for marketing timelines according to organizational priorities.
• Draft press releases, advertisements, and promotions with local press.
• Film and edit videography work as required, support staff with editing recordings for publication.
• Support the Manager of Technical Services with general content management of the BMPL website, including reviewing, proofreading, editing, and writing website content.
• Support and collaborate with the Board and Senior Management in the development and implementation of Communication Plans, Marketing Plans, and the implementation and promotional strategies of Strategic Plans.
• Provide administrative and strategic communications support to the CEO and the BMPL to achieve higher performance, align with BMPL’s Strategic Plan.
• Ensure that all publications produced by the BMPL are to the highest visual design standards, meet technical standards, industry professional standards, and communication strategies.
• Promote the library’s role as a central hub for the GLAM sector by building relationships with local organizations, partners, and community members.
• Represent the BMPL at community events and outreach opportunities.
• Gather and analyze feedback from patrons and stakeholders to inform various strategies and broader organizational planning.
• Demonstrate and maintain the required level of technical proficiency by staying current with developments and emerging trends within the field and the community.
• Ensure marketing and communication projects are in an accessible format, as per the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), including documents published by the BMPL.
• Prepare statistical reports for submission to the CEO, Board, province, and funders.
• Instruct and train patrons in the operation of equipment, including special collections, public computers, and accessibility software.
• Instruct and train patrons in the advanced search functions of the ILS and various library software and databases (e.g., Libby, Novelist, Ancestry, LinkedIn Learning, BMPL website, etc).
• Complete research requests and reference interviews, providing answers and, where appropriate, providing training on how and where the research can be found.
• Maintain a healthy workplace and act as a first responder to any emergencies, including contacting 911 as required.
• Comply with all BMPL health and safety practices as they relate to the work, standard operating guidelines, and the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
• Perform programs, services, ad hoc reports, or other duties as may be assigned in accordance with the organizational objectives and Strategic Plan.
• Receive payments at the counter and by phone for processing rentals, fees/fines, and art sale transactions. Communicate with the public effectively and courteously regarding programs, policies, and procedures of the library, via social media and in person.
• Answer phone calls and front counter inquiries.
•  Deal with aggressive and difficult patrons independently and with de-escalation techniques.
• Provide back-up support for the Library Specialists, as needed.

Education, Specific Training, and Relevant Work Experience

• Requires a postsecondary two-year diploma or degree in marketing, communications, administration, production field, or equivalent.
• Minimum of 2 years’ experience in a public library, museum, or fast-paced public organization with a strong social media presence.
• Industry standard software such as Canva, Adobe InDesign, Illustrator, PhotoShop, Premiere Pro, and/or equivalent graphic design software.
• Demonstrated experience and knowledge in public relations and/or communications, including writing, editing, and proofreading.
• Proficiency in Office 365 and social media platforms such as Instagram and Facebook.
• Demonstrated ability to deal effectively and courteously with the public, staff, and officials at all levels, and to maintain confidentiality.
• Requires good attention to detail, organization, and communication skills. Ability to work well with people at all levels in the hierarchy and handle the stresses and pressures that are associated with the position with maturity and a positive attitude.

Commitment to Health & Safety

All employees must personally comply with, assume appropriate Internal Responsibility Systems, and comply with all health and safety practices, standard operating procedures, and the Occupational Health and Safety Act and Regulations.  This includes completion of designated Health and Safety training.

Job Details

Hours of Work:  This is a permanent full-time/salary position. Shifts will vary; Weekend and evening work required.

Direct Reports: 0

Indirect Supervision: average 3 per shift

On-shift Student Pages
On-shift Clerk
On-shift Students (paid, intern, co-op)
On-shift Volunteers

Driver’s License: Class G2 or higher required