Assistant Director, Kula: Library Futures Academy

Situated in the Kula: Library Futures Academy within the University of Victoria Libraries and Art Collections, on the territory of the Lək̓ʷəŋən (Songhees and Xʷsepsəm/Esquimalt) Peoples on whose territory the university stands, and the Lək̓ʷəŋən and W̱SÁNEĆ Peoples whose historical relationships with the land continue to this day, the Assistant Director, Kula: Library Futures Academy (AD-KA) will work with the Academy Director to advance projects and initiatives at the operational level. The incumbent will also provide additional strategic capacity in developing, sustaining, and evaluating global collaborations that advance the University of Victoria Libraries and Art Collections’ commitments to ethical, community-centred, and decolonial approaches to knowledge creation and stewardship.

The University of Victoria Libraries are nationally and internationally recognized for leadership in areas such as digital scholarship and research, community-engaged librarianship, innovative approaches to knowledge systems, and library futures. The Kula: Library Futures Academy is a unique library-based institute of advanced studies that serves as a hub for critical inquiry and experimentation at the intersection of libraries, technology, and society. This position contributes to advancing UVic Libraries’ role as a globally engaged, ethically grounded organization; as well as a transdisciplinary hub promoting a collegial, vibrant intellectual culture on campus.

Kula is integrated within the UVic Libraries & Art Collections and acts as a connector and incubator of library-based research collaborations and community-building. Specifically, Kula:

• extends existing library-led engagement and research projects with faculty, students, librarians, archivists, community, and industry through fellowships, research sprints, research grants, versioning research workshops, makerspace workshops, podcasting and video production, oral history initiatives, roundtables, lectures, regular coffee hours, publishing initiatives, exhibitions, awards, symposia, conferences, residencies, etc.;
• provides physical space in the library for related activities and to host pan-university transdisciplinary and interdisciplinary projects on a rotating basis;
• fosters the trans- and inter-disciplinary exploration of topics and methodologies and explore place-based solutions where the library can provide expertise;
• produces and disseminates the versioning of advanced knowledge as a public good, especially through UVic Libraries’ peer-reviewed, international journal KULA: Knowledge Creation, Dissemination, and Preservation Studies;
• actively seeks multisectoral, library-based partnerships within and beyond UVic with a wide variety of organizations, including internationally;
• leverages the multitude of supports and expertise within the Libraries’ portfolios of Engagement and Learning, Advanced Research Services, Cultural Collections & University Archives, Collections and Open Scholarship, and Reconciliation, helping to expand upon library projects related to the intersection of technology and knowledge production;
• advance the Libraries’ role at the intersection of technological development and knowledge production in areas such as data, artificial intelligence, machine learning, metadata, production workflows, digital literacies, digital ethics, etc.

Working across the organization, the Assistant Director helps to operationalize Academy projects, and builds reciprocal relationships with academic institutions, community & professional organizations, and networks worldwide, with particular attention to partnerships that resist extractive models of knowledge exchange and foreground equity, reciprocity, and mutual benefit.

The AD-KA reports to the Director of the Kula: Library Futures Academy and works collaboratively with library leadership, librarians, archivists, staff, campus partners including faculty, students, research centres, international programs offices, and community and professional partners and organizations.

Duties and Responsibilities

General

• Works to advance the Libraries’ Strategic Directions: Open, Engaged, Enduring
• Provides critical support in planning, implementing, assessing, and evaluating operations and services for Kula
• Collaborates with librarians and library staff to engage them in Kula activities
• Collaborates with students & faculty to encourage a vibrant intellectual community in Kula
• Identifies and applies for external funding opportunities, and engages with donors, as required
• Fosters appropriate internal and effective external communication about Kula activities
• Supports effective partnerships for the Libraries within the university community and with external academic communities, as applicable
• Strives personally to model clear, collegial communication in support of the Libraries’ values of openness and engagement
• May supervise students, librarians, and other employee groups, as required

Global Knowledge Partnerships

• Works with the Director and other Academy team members to identify, establish, develop, and oversee partnerships with Kula Academy aligned with UVic Libraries’ strategic priorities and mission
  • Cultivates and sustains relationships with institutions, consortia, and community & professional organizations globally, with an emphasis on Indigenous, Global South, and marginalized knowledge communities
  • Designs and implements partnership frameworks grounded in reciprocity, mutual-benefit, ethical engagement, and long-term sustainability
  • Facilitates opportunities for librarians, archivists, and staff to engage in international initiatives, including internships, fellowships, and collaborative learning experiences related to the Kula Academy
• Works to build new, and strengthen current, connections between the Libraries and the UVic Research Centres, acting as liaison for Centre Directors and affiliated researchers
• Supports and helps operationalise joint Kula projects in areas such as cultural heritage preservation, digital scholarship, open knowledge, metadata justice, and critical AI practices, as appropriate
• Contributes to, supports, and/or leads research projects related to global librarianship, knowledge equity, and ethical international collaboration
• Advances the work of the Kula: Library Futures Academy through publications, presentations, participation in public and professional events, grant development, and partnership-based funding initiatives
• Collaborates and works closely with colleagues across UVic Libraries to deepen the integration of global perspectives into collections, services, and programs
  • Provides guidance and support to library units engaged in international initiatives, as appropriate
  • Fosters internal capacity for global engagement through workshops, resources, and collaborative planning
• Represents UVic Libraries in international networks, consortia, and professional organizations, as appropriate
• Helps promote the Libraries’ leadership in ethical, community-centred approaches to cultural heritage preservation and global knowledge exchange; advocate for equitable and inclusive practices in international librarianship and scholarly communication

Qualifications

Required:

• Master’s degree from an accredited school of library science, or a master’s or higher degree in another discipline with expertise and excellence in professional practice relevant to the position if the candidate agrees to complete an MLS from an accredited school of library science before the end of the probationary period (or the equivalent combination of education and experience in archival science in the case of an Archivist).
• Demonstrated experience developing or managing international partnerships, collaborations, or programs
• Knowledge of global issues in librarianship, such as cultural heritage preservation, open access, digital scholarship, and knowledge equity
• Experience working with diverse communities, including Indigenous and/or marginalized and underrepresented groups

Key Competencies include:

• Strategic thinking and systems-level awareness
• Ethical and relational approach to partnership development
• Ability to navigate complex cultural, institutional, and geopolitical contexts
• Collaborative leadership and facilitation skills
• Commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and decolonization
• Strong communication, relationship-building, and intercultural competencies
• Successful project management experience

Preferred:

• Experience with grant writing and management of externally funded projects
• Familiarity with critical approaches to technology, including ethical AI and metadata practices
• Experience working in or with academic libraries, research institutions, or international consortia
• Proficiency in more than one language is not required but may be advantageous

About the University of Victoria

The University of Victoria is consistently ranked in the top tier of Canada’s research-intensive universities. Vital impact drives the UVic sense of purpose. As an internationally renowned teaching and research hub, we tackle essential issues that matter to people, places, and the planet. Situated in the Pacific Rim this extraordinary environment inspires us to defy boundaries, discover, and innovate in exciting ways. It is different here, naturally and by design. Our commitment to research-inspired dynamic learning and vital impact make this Canada’s most extraordinary environment for discovery and innovation. UVic is a signatory to the DORA declaration, which promotes responsible research assessment.

Salary and Benefits

The candidate's qualifications, experience and overall market demand will determine a candidate’s final salary offer. The salary for this position includes a competitive salary range of $104,000 - $128,000 at the Librarian II rank, and $115,000  - $143,000 at the Librarian III rank. UVic is committed to offering an equitable and competitive salary, inclusive of a generous benefits package, eligible leaves and pension plan.

Scholarly and Professional Activites

Participates in Libraries and university committees, councils, task forces, and teams as appropriate. Keeps up to date with developments in digital scholarship in the profession and related fields and on broader issues that affect the practice of librarianship. Participates in professional organizations as appropriate. Undertakes research and engages in scholarship as appropriate.

Standards of Performance & Additional Information

Faculty, librarians, and archivists at UVic are governed by the provisions of the Collective Agreement. Members are represented by the UVic Faculty Association. Standards of performance are assessed as set out in the Evaluation Policy for Librarians.  Please note that reference and background checks, including credential and degree verification, may be undertaken as part of this recruitment process.

Equity Statement

UVic is committed to upholding the values of equity, diversity, inclusion and human rights in our living, learning and work environments. In pursuit of our values, we seek members who are eager to actively participate in that shared responsibility. We actively encourage applications from members of historically and systemically marginalized groups. Read our full equity statement.Read our full equity statement here: www.uvic.ca/equitystatement.

The University acknowledges the potential impact that career interruptions can have on a candidate’s record of research achievement. We encourage applicants to explain in their application the impact that career interruptions have had on their record.

Persons with disabilities, who anticipate needing accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, may contact Faculty Relations and Academic Administration in the Office of the VP Academic and Provost at FRrecruit@uvic.ca. Any personal information provided will be maintained in confidence.