Librarian 1 - Community Librarian

We respectfully acknowledge that Burnaby Public Library is located on the unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), and kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (Kwikwetlem) Peoples. Each Nation has distinct histories and distinct traditional territories that fully or partially encompass the city of Burnaby. We encourage you to learn more about the Host Nations whose ancestors have occupied and used these lands, including parts of present-day Burnaby, for thousands of years.

Burnaby is the third largest city in British Columbia, with excellent rapid transit links, significant parkland, and well-equipped recreational facilities. Our 250,000 residents speak 120 languages, and more than half of our culturally diverse population has a mother tongue other than English.

Our four libraries are important public spaces, meeting places and centres for discovery and dialogue, anchored by our broad and deep collections and our commitment to in-person service. Burnaby Public Library is changing to continue to meet the needs of our highly diverse community, with an increased emphasis on community-led approaches and connecting with people outside the library, a greater focus on digital literacy, and a commitment to upgrading and rethinking our public and staff spaces.

Location:                BOB PRITTIE METROTOWN BRANCH  (may work in all BPL branches)

Status:                   TEMPORARY FULL-TIME  (expected duration to approx. October 2028 with possibility of extension)

Position Summary:

Burnaby Public Library invites applications for a temporary full-time community librarian with a passion for engaging in community work throughout the library’s service area with a focus on service delivery to adults. This librarian provides service to the public using collaborative community development techniques and applies equity, diversity, inclusion and anti-racism approaches to facilitate the development of responsive service to vulnerable and underserved community members and groups.  This position reports to the Manager, Community Development, and spends approximately 20% of their time providing direct public service in a library branch.

Duties:

• Provide welcoming, inclusive service to patrons in Burnaby’s culturally diverse community.
• Engage with partners and community members outside the library walls to deepen BPL’s knowledge of our community, to identify barriers to traditional service, and to develop relevant and inclusive library services.
• Plan, organize and supervise community projects and programs; create awareness of library services through visits, drop-ins and presentations in community spaces to a variety of groups; represent the library in community spaces, meetings, events and other community engagement opportunities.
• Support and act as a resource for library staff doing community work and outreach activities. Work may involve the supervision of other staff.
• Evaluate and prepare reports on community activities, opportunities and trends.
• Assist community members with technology and digital resources.
• Attend meetings, workshops, seminars, conferences and other organized activities related to the work.
• Assume responsibility for library premises when required.

Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in librarianship.
• Curiosity about the needs of library users and Burnaby residents, and passion for delivering excellent customer service.
• Experience working with the community and working in a public library setting.
• A commitment to applying principles of equity, diversity, inclusion, anti-racism and social justice to the work.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, creatively and flexibly in a variety of situations with diverse community members; sound judgement and ability to work with minimal supervision.
• Resilience and comfort with uncertainty, awareness of self and others, cultural sensitivity, respect and empathy, active listening and humility.
• Proven experience developing responsive and direct service to community members facing multiple barriers to traditional services.
• Experience identifying and developing relationships with key organizations, groups and community members.
• Ability to represent the library in a variety of community-based working groups, meetings and committees.
• Cultural fluency and knowledge through direct experience with cultural groups that the library currently serves or may yet serve.
• Demonstrated experience and competency in one or more of the following areas of focus:
  • Identifying and working with community members and groups who speak languages other than English with an ability to provide connection and services to these communities in their preferred language.
  • Working with Indigenous Peoples, understanding protocols, and engaging with Indigenous community members in respectful and culturally appropriate ways.
• A demonstrated connection to and knowledge of the cultural practices, languages, or histories of communities represented in the library’s service area.

Hours:

75 hours biweekly. Evening and weekend work will be required. The 9-day fortnight schedule is Sundays through Thursdays (8:30am-5:20pm), with every second Sunday off. Thursdays are public service shifts at the Temporary Cameron Branch, located in Lougheed Towne Centre.

Schedules are subject to change to meet operational needs. All staff may be asked to work in other locations at any time.

We encourage you to apply even if you do not have all the qualifications we list here.

BPL believes that diversifying our staff will make our organization better and more reflective of the community we serve. We encourage people of all gender identities and expressions, ages, ethnicities, cultures, abilities, sexual orientations, and life experiences to apply.