Position Title / Rank: Head, Collections and Content
Department: Library Collections and Content
Position Description:
The McLaughlin Library at the University of Guelph invites applications for a creative and collaborative librarian to fill the position of Head, Collections & Content (C&C), at the rank of Assistant Librarian (Continuing Appointment-track), or Associate Librarian/Librarian (Continuing Appointment). The term of the administrative appointment for Head, C&C, is 5 years, renewable once, after which the incumbent will be a C&C Librarian. The anticipated start date is June 1, 2026, or as soon as possible with another mutually agreed-upon date in 2026.
This senior leadership position within the library reports to the Associate University Librarian, Research, and is a member of the library’s management team. This position provides strategic leadership and oversight for the staff and operations of the C&C team, which builds and manages our collections. This is a forward-looking, transformative role.
The Head, C&C, will possess a thorough understanding of the importance of strategic and collaborative leadership and partnerships. An excellent communicator and relationship-builder, the Head understands that service excellence is delivered by employees who are both engaged and empowered.
C&C is split into three functional sub teams:
- Acquisitions and Resource Management is responsible for acquisitions and metadata for all our collections, as well as management of our physical collections.
- Collection Development is responsible for building and managing the collection, and for making strategic investments in open access content and open infrastructure.
- Course Materials and Reserve Services is responsible for the provision of course content and copyright & licensing support.
The incumbent will promote the vision of the library to spark curiosity, foster collaboration and community, and champion inclusion. The core values that drive our vision are access, learning, service, stewardship, and intellectual freedom. At the McLaughlin Library, we have implemented a management framework to provide clarity around the expectations of library managers and to develop a shared understanding of library management practices.
The incumbent will honour and work towards furthering the University of Guelph’s commitment to Indigenization, equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility (IEDIA) that are detailed in Bi-Naagward | It Comes into View, Fostering the Culture of Inclusion, the Anti-Racism Action Plan, and the Multi-Year Accessibility Plan.
Responsibilities & Duties
- Provide strategic leadership, expertise and guidance to a team of 20 (9 direct reports), including professional librarians, professional managerial staff, library technicians, and student staff.
- Initiate and drive change in line with team, library, and institutional goals
- Foster a culture and systems that encourage exploration and experimentation
- Manage the $8.5M acquisitions budget in alignment with the University’s teaching and research mission and goals, and the library's own collection’s goals focused on Open Access, IEDI efforts, and stewardship.
- Initiate, develop, and foster strategic and collaborative partnerships with key stakeholders both within and outside of the University, including OCUL and CRKN.
- In collaboration with librarians and staff, guide Guelph’s participation in consortial initiatives that strengthen our strategic priorities and operations, e.g., Omni, consortial licensing, shared print initiatives, etc.
- Contribute to the transformation of the scholarly communication environment to one that is more equitable and accessible.
- Support team members in a variety of professional goal-setting processes, through setting clear expectations, supporting professional growth, navigating performance challenges, and building a collaborative and psychologically safe team culture.
- Chair or sponsor a variety of operational and strategic committees including, e.g., the C&C Steering Committee.
- As a member of the Strategic Leadership Team (SLT), participate in the collaborative management of the library, including strategic planning, administrative coordination and policy development, alignment of services and programs with strategic objectives, assessment, communication, and organizational culture and development.
Required Qualifications
- ALA-accredited MLS/MLIS degree or equivalent.
- Minimum of seven years of experience as a professional librarian in an academic setting, with increasing levels of responsibility (e.g. managing staff, projects, resources, budget).
- Evidence of substantial professional experience envisioning, establishing, and implementing high-level collections strategies in support of research, teaching, and learning.
- Evidence of substantial professional experience with collection development (open and paywalled), management and assessment.
- Experience with vendor relations and consortial purchasing.
- Demonstrated experience leading and managing complex projects.
- Evidence of experience with integrated library systems/library services platforms and technologies for resource discovery, learning management and/or reserves.
- Experience supervising and mentoring a diverse group of staff and developing a collaborative and supportive team culture.
- Demonstrated user-centered service philosophy and client focus, with exceptional ability to build partnerships with colleagues, users and partners on campus and beyond.
- Exceptional leadership skills with a demonstrated commitment to collaboration and the ability to articulate priorities and values across a diverse constituency.
- Demonstrated excellence in verbal and written communication including the ability to facilitate productive meetings, translate between strategic and operational contexts, and communicate transparently.
- Evidence of participation in professional activities and a record of scholarship.
The University of Guelph resides on the traditional lands and territory of the Anishinaabeg, Haudenosaunee and Huron Wendat. These lands are now home to a rich diversity of First Nations, Inuit and Métis people. We offer our respect and gratitude to our Indigenous neighbours and affirm our responsibility to realize our commitments to reconciliation through ongoing action. We are guided in this work by Bi-Naagward | It Comes into View, the Indigenous Initiatives Strategy.
The University of Guelph is the third largest employer in Guelph, a city of over 144,000 people, located about an hour drive west of Toronto, Ontario. University of Guelph is a top-ranked comprehensive university in Canada with an enrolment of more than 30,000 undergraduate and graduate students across more than 40 academic units. The University is known for its commitment to student learning, innovative research, and collaboration with world-class partners. It is a unique place, with transformative research and teaching and a distinctive campus culture. People who learn and work here are shaped and inspired by a shared purpose: To Improve Life. Reflecting that shared purpose in every experience connected to our university positions us to create positive change, here and around the world. Our University community shares a profound sense of social responsibility, a drive for international development, and an obligation to address global issues.
Application Process
Internal applicants: If you are a current employee of the University of Guelph you must apply on the internal Career Page to be considered as an internal applicant. SuccessFactors: Career Opportunities (sapsf.com).
External applicants: Create an account on https://careers.uoguelph.ca/.
Assessment of applications will begin on April 6, 2026 and will continue until the position is filled.
All applicants: Apply for the advertised librarian position (Requisition ID 2225 by submitting the following materials (in an integrated single PDF file):
- A one-to-two-page statement (cover letter) outlining a) how the applicant’s knowledge, skills, and experience relate to the responsibilities and qualifications of the position, and b) current and future plans to advance Indigenization, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility in the context of their professional work;
- Names of three references. References will not be contacted without consent.
Applications should be submitted by the posted end date and can be addressed to the attention of: Ian Gibson, Associate University Librarian, Research, McLaughlin Library.
Questions about the application process may be directed to Sheryl Cantlon, Executive Assistant, McLaughlin Library at
[email protected].
Date Posted: 03/11/2006
Deadline: 04/06/2026 or until a suitable candidate is found.
This position is represented by the University of Guelph Faculty Association (UGFA).
The University of Guelph commits to fostering inclusive excellence through promoting Indigenization, equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility. Inclusion is a core pillar of Our Time, our strategic plan, which pledges to “transform our human resources, governance and student services and practices across the University to enable us to recruit a diverse student, faculty and staff body and support them in achieving their personal, professional and scholarly goals.” The University commits to creating and maintaining “equitable work environments that empower us in our pursuit of student, faculty and staff success, research excellence, innovation and impact.”
The University of Guelph invites applications from all qualified individuals; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. We strongly welcome and encourage applications from members of designated groups in employment, including Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, racialized persons, women, and 2SLGBTQIA+ persons.
The University of Guelph recognizes that career paths can be diverse and career interruptions may occur. We encourage applicants to note in their applications whether they would like considerations given to the impact of any circumstances, such as (but not limited to) those due to health and/or family reasons, that may have affected an applicant’s record of achievement. You are not required to disclose these circumstances in the hiring process. If you choose to do so, the University will ensure that these circumstances do not negatively impact the assessment of your qualifications for the position.
The University of Guelph is committed to ensuring all applicants have fair and equitable participation in the hiring process. If you anticipate needing medical accommodations during the recruitment or selection processes, confidential assistance is available by contacting
[email protected]. If you have any questions regarding accommodations or accessibility during the hiring process or for more information and support, please visit the University’s Occupational Health and Wellness or contact OHW at
[email protected].
