Electronic Resources Librarian, Full-time, Term position

Simon Fraser University Library invites applications for an Electronic Resources Librarian. Reporting to the Associate Dean of Libraries, Collections & Content Strategy, this full-time, 12-month position will provide leadership and expertise in the management and organization of SFU’s electronic resources. In collaboration with colleagues in the Resource Acquisition, Management, and Metadata (RAMM) and Collections Management Divisions, the successful candidate will coordinate workflows related to managing the life cycle of the Library’s electronic resources.

This position will appeal to highly analytical and collaborative individuals with excellent communication skills, and a user-centered focus. The committee encourages all applications, including those from early-career librarians, and those with non-traditional career paths. Candidates who are transitioning into or back to librarianship or who have relevant skills from coursework, volunteer work, or other professions are invited to share experiences and expertise that may align with this role.

SETTING:

We acknowledge the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish), xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), səl̓ílwətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), q̓íc̓əy̓ (Katzie), and kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (Kwikwetlem) peoples, on whose traditional territories Simon Fraser University's three campuses stand. By recognizing the Unceded Traditional Coast Salish territories, we aspire to create space for Reconciliation through dialogue and decolonizing practices.

Ranked by respected national surveys as one of Canada’s top three comprehensive universities for the past 20 years, Simon Fraser University has also been consistently named one of British Columbia’s Top Employers in recent years, as well as one of Canada’s Top 100 employers, and one of Canada's top family-friendly employers. SFU offers more than 100 undergraduate major and joint major programs and more than 75 graduate offerings, spanning many disciplines in eight faculties, and has an international reputation for its innovative interdisciplinary and professional programs. The main W.A.C. Bennett Library is located on the Burnaby campus, while the Samuel and Frances Belzberg Library is on the Vancouver campus, and Fraser Library is at SFU Surrey.

The SFU Library is known for the development and implementation of innovative technology, leadership in Open Access, and excellent in-person and online user services. We serve an ethnically diverse student population, most of whom live off-campus and work part-time while attending university. SFU Library collaborates broadly with other institutions through membership in the Canadian Association of Research Libraries, the Association of Research Libraries, and regional consortia. For more information, see our website.

The SFU Library commits to a continuous process of transformation to advance equity, diversity, and inclusion and to serve the cause of social justice. The Library’s Statement on Equity, Diversity and Inclusion provides more information.

ASSIGNMENT:

• Manage licensing of electronic resources, including reviewing licenses, ensuring approval and signatures from administrators and vendors, and overseeing maintenance of license files;
• Oversee the management of electronic collections in Alma, the SFU Library’s Integrated Library System; this includes license information, A-Z list of databases, authentication (EZproxy), and managing the vendor-provided central index for electronic resources;
• Provide oversight for ongoing collection of electronic resource statistics; providecollection analyses and provide statistical and other reports as required;
• Oversee, support and provide direction to the electronic resources support team and other staff as necessary, including the troubleshooting and resolution of access and content-related issues;
• Monitor and address issues resulting from publisher platform and content changes;
• Communicate with end users, vendors, colleagues and others as needed;
• Investigate potential new electronic resources;
• Collaborate with Acquisitions and Collections Management staff to assess renewals and new resources;
• Enact the equity, diversity and inclusion commitments of the Library and University through all functions of the role;
• Maintain current awareness of emerging trends and developments in the management of and marketplace for electronic resources and scholarly communication;
• Advance the values and goals outlined in the Academic Plan: Library;
• Perform other duties and assist with special projects as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

While the search committee recognizes that no one candidate is likely to meet all the qualifications in equal measure, the following qualifications are presented in priority-order and will be used in the assessment of candidates for the position.

• A Master’s degree in Library and Information Studies from an ALA accredited program, or its equivalent, is a required qualification for this position;
• Minimum 1 year of relevant experience;
• Demonstrated understanding of the electronic resources life cycle;
• Demonstrated understanding of licensing issues for electronic resources suitable for an academic library environment;
• Basic understanding of current e-resource standards and protocols (e.g., COUNTER, COUNTER API (formerly SUSHI) and KBART);
• Excellent interpersonal and intercultural communication skills, both orally and written.  These skills include but are not limited to strong listening skills, a collaborative approach, and the curiosity and willingness to ask questions;
• Ability to work in a complex environment by establishing priorities and maintaining a balance between short and long-term goals;
• Very good organizational, time management and project management skills;
• Very good analytical and problem-solving skills;
• Commitment to advancing equity, inclusion, and decolonization in operational work, with an interest in supporting social justice and Indigenous initiatives;
• Experience working in an academic library setting;
• Experience working with vendors and publishers and reviewing and processing licenses;
• Experience working with Integrated Library and Discovery systems, such as Alma and Primo (Ex Libris).

TERMS OF APPOINTMENT:

This is a full-time, 12-month Librarian appointment, with an anticipated start date in January 2027.

Librarians are members of the SFU Faculty Association. Terms, conditions and benefits of employment are outlined in the Collective Agreement. Benefits are available from the Faculty Relations website.

The successful applicant will be appointed at a rank and salary level commensurate with their experience and qualifications. For more information about eligibility and requirements for appointment at each Librarian rank, please see SFU/SFUFA Collective Agreement Article Art 36.14 – 36.25. Faculty salaries at SFU are based on the salary scales bargained between the University and the SFU Faculty Association. Minimum salary for Librarian ranks 1-4 are as follows: Librarian 1 is $85, 619; Librarian 2 is $91,979; Librarian 3 is $104,700 and Librarian 4 is $117,421. 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. SFU is an equity employer and strongly encourages applications from all qualified individuals including women, Indigenous Peoples, racialized persons, people of all sexual orientations and gender identities, persons with disabilities, and others who may contribute to the further diversification of the University. If you have questions in advance of applying, please send an email to library@sfu.ca.

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 on the Current Openings webpage.

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