Reference and Instruction Librarian

The University of British Columbia; Kelowna; On-site; CAD 80,000 - 98,000; Full time

Job summary

The Library at UBC’s Okanagan campus invites applications from creative, service-oriented librarians for a full-time, 12-month contract position as the Reference and Instruction Librarian. Reporting to the Head, Teaching Partnerships and Public Services, the role includes faculty liaison, reference, collection development, and instructional programs in Engineering and related areas.

Starting January 1, 2027, with a gross annual salary of CAD 89,068.18 plus vacation and benefits; applicants with

Qualifications

• Graduate degree from an accredited program of library, information science, or equivalent internationally accredited program.
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of general subject liaison responsibilities, including reference and research help, instructional design and delivery, and collection development.
• Demonstrated interest in and understanding of key developments in information literacy (IL), assessment, teaching and learning, educational technologies, and general pedagogical approaches related to teaching and learning.
• Familiarity with academic library systems and their applications to reference and research services used in an academic environment.

Responsibilities

• Liaise with assigned academic departments to enhance the value of the Library as a partner in teaching, research, and scholarship.
• Maintain and develop instructional content for teaching and research including workshops, subject guides, and online learning materials.
• Seek opportunities, in collaboration with other librarians, to engage faculty and campus partners and increase awareness of the benefits of information literacy instruction.
• Provide specialized reference and research services to students, staff and faculty members as well as members of the general public who visit the Okanagan Campus Library.
• Participate in relevant conferences, committees and other professional development activities.

Skills

Reference services

Instructional design

Collection development

Information literacy

Academic liaison

Communication skills

Education

MLIS/MLS

Tools

Learning Management Systems

LibGuides

Job description

Academic Job Category Faculty Bargaining Job Title Reference and Instruction Librarian Department UBCO | Head, Teaching Partnerships and Public Services | Faculty | Library (Sajni Lacey) Posting End Date October 18, 2026 Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the Posting End Date. Job End Date December 31, 2027 The expected pay (or pay range) for this position is $ 7,422.35 CAD /month.

At UBC, we believe that attracting and sustaining a diverse workforce is key to the successful pursuit of excellence in research, innovation, and learning for all faculty, staff and students. Our commitment to employment equity helps achieve inclusion and fairness, brings rich diversity to UBC as a workplace, and creates the necessary conditions for a rewarding career.

DESCRIPTION:

The Library at UBC’s Okanagan campus invites applications from creative, service-oriented librarians committed to supporting research excellence and transformative student learning experiences for a full-time, 12-month contract position as the Reference and Instruction Librarian. Reporting to the Head, Teaching Partnerships and Public Services, this position, in conjunction with colleagues, is responsible for faculty liaison in assigned academic units, including reference service, collection development, and instructional programs. Current liaison coverage includes Engineering, and additional areas assigned may vary depending on the candidate's profile. We are looking for candidates with up to two years’ relevant experience who welcome an opportunity to work closely with staff, faculty, students, campus colleagues and the broader Okanagan community. A complete job description can be viewed on the Work with Us webpage.

ENVIRONMENT:

The UBC Library is committed to being a respectful, healthy environment that encourages leadership, collegiality, diversity, individual growth and opportunity. We work collaboratively to deliver core library services and achieve the priorities outlined in the Library’s Strategic Framework. We are committed to eliminating institutional and structural systems of oppression and power (such as colonialism, sexism, classism, heterosexism, ableism, and white supremacy). This work is informed and guided by UBC’s Indigenous Strategic Plan, Inclusion Action Plan, Strategic Equity and Anti-Racism Framework, and UBC Okanagan’s Declaration of Truth and Reconciliation Commitments. The 2025 Library Report to Senate can provide a deeper look at the initiatives and achievements of the Okanagan Library from the last year.

EQUITY:

Equity and diversity are essential to academic excellence. An open and diverse community fosters the inclusion of voices that have been underrepresented or discouraged. We encourage applications from members of groups that have been marginalized on any grounds enumerated under the B.C. Human Rights Code, including sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expressions, racialization, disability, political belief, religion, marital or family status, age, and/or status as a First Nation, Métis, Inuit, or Indigenous person. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Graduate degree from an accredited program of library, information science, or equivalent internationally accredited program;
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of general subject liaison responsibilities, including reference and research help, instructional design and delivery, and collection development;
• Demonstrated interest in and understanding of key developments in information literacy (IL), assessment, teaching and learning, educational technologies, and general pedagogical approaches related to teaching and learning;
• Familiarity with academic library systems and their applications to reference and research services used in an academic environment.

ADDITIONAL PREFERRED SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience employing relevant technologies to enhance online and face-to-face engagement with various communities on and off campus. Examples include but are not limited to: Learning Management Systems, tutorials, videos, research guides (such as LibGuides), citation guides, and virtual reference;
• Experience in or knowledge of assessment activities to support continuous improvement of library services that enhance student learning, engagement, and retention;
• Experience supporting the development, evaluation, and stewardship of library collections and information resources;
• Experience advancing equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging through programs, services, collections, partnerships, and professional practice;
• Participating as a key liaison to assigned liaison areas providing expertise and support for scholarly activities such as copyright and research metrics;
• Excellent written and oral communication skills;
• Proven ability to work well independently and within a complex team;
• The specific work of this position will be developed based on the successful candidate’s skills and in conjunction with existing relationships, projects, and activities that are currently being supported by the UBC Okanagan Library.

POTENTIAL ACTIVITIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Liaise with assigned academic departments to enhance the value of the Library as a partner in teaching, research, and scholarship;
• Maintain and develop instructional content for teaching and research including workshops, subject guides, and online learning materials;
• Seek opportunities, in collaboration with other librarians, to engage faculty and campus partners and increase awareness of the benefits of information literacy instruction;
• Provide specialized reference and research services to students, staff and faculty members as well as members of the general public who visit the Okanagan Campus Library;
• Participate in relevant conferences, committees and other professional development activities;

TERMS OF APPOINTMENT:

This is a full-time, 12-month appointment with an anticipated start date of January 1, 2027. The start date is flexible depending on the candidate's requirements. The successful candidate will be a member of The University of British Columbia Faculty Association, and the terms and conditions of appointment are governed by the Collective Agreement between UBC and the UBC Faculty Association (http://www.hr.ubc.ca/faculty-relations/collective-agreements/). This position is anticipated to be filled at an annual starting gross salary of $89,068.18 plus vacation and benefits. This salary reflects having up to and including two (2) years of relevant professional experience in accordance with the Collective Agreement between UBC and the UBC Faculty Association (http://www.hr.ubc.ca/faculty-relations/collective-agreements/).

UBC - One of the World's Leading Universities As one of the world's leading universities, the University of British Columbia creates an exceptional learning environment that fosters global citizenship, advances a civil and sustainable society, and supports outstanding research to serve the people of British Columbia, Canada and the world. UBC hires on the basis of merit and is committed to employment equity. All qualified persons are encouraged to apply. Equity and diversity are essential to academic excellence. An open and diverse community fosters the inclusion of voices that have been underrepresented or discouraged. We encourage applications from members of groups that have been marginalized on any grounds enumerated under the B.C. Human Rights Code, including sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, racialization, disability, political belief, religion, marital or family status, age, and/or status as a First Nation, Metis, Inuit, and/or Indigenous person. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. If you have any accommodation or accessibility needs during the job application process, please contact the Centre for Workplace Accessibility at [e-mail].