BC Electronic Library Network (BC ELN) Librarian

BC Electronic Library Network (BC ELN) Librarian

The British Columbia Electronic Library Network (BC ELN) invites applications for a 1.0 FTE term Librarian position (externally funded) as a BC ELN Project Librarian. This is an exciting opportunity to work on several provincial projects with impacts across the BC post-secondary library sector. The position is remote with a hybrid option to work out of our office at SFU’s W.A.C. Bennett Library. This position is available for a two-year limited term from September 2025 to August 2027.

Reporting to the BC ELN Executive Director, the Project Librarian works as part of a team supporting a number of short-term BC ELN projects across BC ELN’s service areas, including learner support service reviews, member engagement, and provincial resource-sharing strategies.

The Project Librarian is a highly organized, motivated and resourceful individual with a demonstrated ability to support core library services, provide high quality customer service, work in a team environment, use and adapt to new technologies, and foster collaboration among diverse organizations and stakeholders.

SETTING 

We are grateful to the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish), xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), səl̓ílwətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), q̓íc̓əy̓ (Katzie), and kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (Kwikwetlem) peoples, on whose traditional territories BC Electronic Library Network (BC ELN) offices stand. By acknowledging the benefits of occupying this land, we commit to creating space for reconciliation through dialogue and decolonizing practices.

BC ELN is a partnership between the Province of British Columbia and its post-secondary libraries. It develops, promotes, and maintains system-wide mechanisms that provide equitable, cost-effective access to information resources and learning support services, helping post-secondary libraries meet the expanding information needs of the province's learners, educators, and researchers, regardless of their location in the province. BC ELN core services include:

• negotiating and managing electronic resource licenses on behalf of partner libraries;
• facilitating resource sharing among partner libraries through the Illume service;
• coordinating virtual learning support services AskAway and WriteAway; and
• enhancing access to digitized primary content through the Arca collaborative digital repository.

For more information, visit: https://bceln.ca/.

The BC ELN office also serves as the Administrative Centre for the Electronic Health Library of BC (eHLbc). eHLbc provides the academic and health care community of BC with easy access to online health library resources that support and improve practice, education, and research. For more information visit: https://ehlbc.ca/

BC ELN is hosted at Simon Fraser University (SFU), a comprehensive university that offers programs at the graduate and undergraduate level. BC ELN employees are appointed under appropriate SFU employee agreements. For more information, visit: https://www.sfu.ca/

BC ELN, through its affiliation with SFU and the SFU Library, commits to a continuous process of transformation to advance equity, diversity, and inclusion and to serve the cause of social justice. For more information, visit the Library’s Statement on Equity, Diversity and Inclusion: https://www.lib.sfu.ca/about/overview/policies/edi

ASSIGNMENT

Working closely with the Executive Director and consortium team, the Project Librarian will:

• Provide communications and analytical support for short-term BC ELN projects, including:
  • AskAway and WriteAway service reviews.
  • Research data management support development.
  • Addressing barriers to participation in BC ELN services.
  • Other projects in support of BC ELN’s Strategic Framework.
• Develop project-related communications targeting users, resource teams, committees, vendors, and stakeholders, including the creation and administration of online surveys/questionnaires.
• Assist with project-related member engagement such as events, communities of practice, orientation/training, etc.
• Support project-related content updates on the BC ELN and eHLbc Drupal websites.
• Support BC ELN service operations as needed.
• Serve on internal BC ELN task groups as appropriate.
• Advance the values and goals outlined in the BC ELN Strategic Framework: https://bceln.ca/about/strategic-plan

QUALIFICATIONS

Required:

• Masters of Library and Information Science from an ALA-accredited program (or equivalent)
• Up to 2 years of related professional experience.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively in a collegial team environment.
• Demonstrated strong project management skills.
• Demonstrated ability to write targeted communications for different audiences, such as reports, newsletters, technical documentation, etc.
• Ability to recognize, respect and work effectively with individuals and groups with diverse perspectives and backgrounds.
• Excellent interpersonal and intercultural communication skills, both oral and written.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Strong assessment, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong time management and organizational skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to customer service.
• Strong technology skills, with proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (including advanced Excel skills) and web content management systems (such as Drupal).

Desired:

• Demonstrated ability to adapt to changing environments, meet deadlines, and work well under pressure with discretion, tact, and good judgement.
• Experience working in or with BC post-secondary libraries, public libraries, and/or library consortia.
• Experience with AskAway chat reference.
• Experience with cataloguing procedures, and current cataloguing standards, including MARC and RDA coding.
• Familiarity with research data management.
• Capable of fostering relationships and supporting partnerships between diverse groups.
• Understanding of conflict dynamics and collaboration strategies.
• Familiarity with data analysis tools.
• Familiarity with content development tools, including graphic design tools (e.g. InDesign), marketing communications (e.g. Constant Contact), and video editing (e.g. Adobe Premier)
• Experience delivering training or instruction.
• Knowledge and understanding of current and emerging library and information systems, educational tools, and databases.

TERMS OF APPOINTMENT

This is a full time, 2-year limited term Librarian externally funded position, with an anticipated start date in September 2025, ending in August 2027. This is a remote position with a hybrid option to work out of SFU’s W.A.C. Bennett Library on the Burnaby campus.

Librarians are members of the SFU Faculty Association. Terms, conditions and benefits of employment are outlined in the Collective Agreement: https://www.sfu.ca/faculty-relations/collectiveagreement.html

The successful applicant will be appointed at a salary level commensurate with their experience and qualifications. Faculty salaries at SFU are based on the salary scales bargained between the University and the SFU Faculty Association.  A reasonable estimate of the salary range for this role is Librarian/Archivist 1 $85,619 to Librarian/Archivist 3 $136,503.  Current salary scales are available from:  https://www.sfu.ca/faculty-relations/salary.html

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. Simon Fraser University is committed to employment equity and encourages applications from qualified candidates of all genders, racialized persons, persons of First Nations, Inuit, or Métis heritage, persons with disabilities, and persons who identify as LGBTQ2SIA+.

Personal information that forms part of an application is collected under the general authority of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, applicable University Policies, and the SFUFA/SFU Collective Agreement. For further details see the full Collection Notice.

Information about what to expect when you apply for a librarian position at SFU is available here: https://www.lib.sfu.ca/about/overview/employment/what-expect-librarian-position