Senior Librarian

Employment and Social Development Canada; Ottawa; On-site; CAD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Library and Archives Canada in Ottawa is seeking a Senior Librarian to provide strategic reference services, program development, and collaboration across disciplines. The role supports digitization and digital preservation initiatives and may involve supervision as needed.

The position requires a master’s degree in library science and experience advising senior management, with a strong focus on user-centered service design and access to cultural heritage resources.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in library science or library and information science.
• Bachelor's degree in library science with another degree as prerequisite.
• Experience providing strategic advice to senior management or cultural heritage institutions.
• Experience in research and analysis supporting library functions (reference, programming, instruction, collection management).

Responsibilities

• Provide reference, research and information services to users.
• Develop and deliver programs and services that enhance access to resources.
• Collaborate with colleagues and partners to improve services.
• Conduct research and support collection, policy and strategic initiatives.
• Contribute to digitization, digital preservation and emerging technology projects.
• Prepare reports, presentations and recommendations.
• Promote collections and services through outreach and engagement activities.
• Evaluate and develop reference collections to support user needs.

Skills

Oral communication

Written communication

Research and analysis

Customer service

Collaboration

Education

Master's degree in library science / library and information science

Bachelor's degree with prerequisite another degree

Job description

Library and Archives Canada- Visitor and Collection Care Branch

Closing date:August 21, 2026 - 23:59, Pacific Time

Who can apply
Persons residing in Canada, and Canadian citizens and Permanent residents abroad.

Duties

• Provide reference, research and information services to users.
• Develop and deliver programs and services that enhance access to library and archival resources.
• Collaborate with colleagues and partners to improve services and meet user needs.
• Conduct research and support collection, policy and strategic initiatives.
• Contribute to digitization, digital preservation and emerging technology projects.
• Prepare reports, presentations and recommendations.
• Promote LAC's collections and services through outreach and engagement activities.
• Evaluate and develop reference collections, including recommending selection, acquisition, de-selection, and other collection management activities to support evolving user and service needs.
• Provide supervisory functions, as needed.

Work environment
Library and Archives Canada is the custodian of Canada's documentary heritage and one of the country's leading memory institutions. We offer a dynamic and collaborative work environment where employees contribute to preserving, developing, and providing access to the knowledge and stories that shape Canada's history and identity.As a Senior Librarian, you will work alongside professionals from a variety of disciplines, including library and archival technicians, archivists, public programming and event specialists, user experience (UX) specialists and many more. You will have opportunities to contribute to innovative projects involving digital collections, public programming and outreach initiatives, user-centred service design, and the transformation of library services.Employees may have opportunities to work at Ādisōke, the new joint facility being developed by Library and Archives Canada and the Ottawa Public Library, as well as contribute to initiatives associated with its programs and services. Designed as a welcoming destination for learning, discovery, research, and community engagement, Ādisōke reflects LAC's vision of expanding access to Canada's stories and documentary heritage for all.The hybrid work model in the federal public service can be accessed via the following link: https://www.canada.ca/en/government/publicservice/staffing/common-hybrid-work-model-federal-public-service.html

Intent of the process
The intent of this process is to staff one (1) temporary position located in Ottawa (ON) of approximatively twelve (12) months, with the possibility of extension.A pool of qualified candidates may be established and used to staff identical or similar positions within Library and Archives Canada across Canada using various languages requirements (Bilingual Imperative CBC/CBC, Bilingual Imperative BBB/BBB), operational requirements, conditions of employment and/or various tenures according to the positions being staffed.

Positions to be filled
1

Important messages

ASSESSMENT TOOLS:

• Screening questions;
• An written exam/presentation may be used;
• An interview may be administered;
• Reference checks may be sought.

Ability to communicate effectively in writing may be assessed based on the responses provided to the screening questions as well as the written examen/presentation.Candidates must clearly demonstrate in the screening questionnaire how they meet the education and experience criteria listed as essential and asset qualifications on the statement of merit criteria. If you do not clearly demonstrate in the questionnaire how you meet the essential education and experience requirements, your application may be rejected. If you do not clearly demonstrate how you meet the asset requirements, you may be eliminated from consideration if assets are used as selection criteria.Persons are entitled to participate in the appointment process in the official language of their choice.All information and communications collected during the selection process, from the time of application to the end of the process, may be used to evaluate the candidates.Communications relating to this process will be sent via email. It is the responsibility of the candidate to ensure accurate contact information is provided and updated as required. Candidates who apply to this selection process should include an email address that accepts email from unknown users (some email systems block these types of email). Failure to respond to communications maybe construed as a withdrawal from this process.

Availability and willingness to work shifts, rotating schedules and variable hours, including days, evenings, weekends and statutory holidays.

You need (essential for the job)

Your application must clearly explain how you meet the following

EDUCATION:

• Graduation from a recognized post-secondary institution with a master's degree in library science or in library and information science;
• Graduation from a recognized post-secondary institution with a bachelor's degree in library science or in library and information science for which another bachelor's degree was a prerequisite

EXPERIENCE:

• Experience providing strategic advice and recommendations to *senior management, or to other cultural heritage institutions .
• Experience in conducting research and analysis in support of one or more library functions e.g. reference, programming, instruction, collection management, etc..*Senior management is defined as Director level or equivalent, and above .

Applied / assessed at a later date

KNOWLEDGE:

• Knowledge of project management methods and techniques.
• Knowledge of trends in the cultural heritage organizations.
• Knowledge of clients, partners, and professional communities related to cultural heritage organizations.

ABILITIES:

• Ability to communicate effectively orally.
• Ability to communicate effectively in writing.

COMPETENCIES:

• Client service orientation
• Showing initiative and being results-oriented
• Working effectively with others
• Thinking things through
• Establishing partnerships, networks and relationships
• Creativity and Innovation
• Demonstrating integrity and respect
• Exercising leadership in Librarianship

Language requirements (essential for the job)

May be applied / assessed at a later date

ASSET EXPERIENCE:

• Experience providing specialized reference services to clients, according to reference interview protocols.

Organizational needs:
Library and Archives Canada is committed to promoting and creating a diverse, equitable and inclusive workforce that is representative of Canadian society. The preference in this appointment process may be given to candidates who are members of the following designated groups: women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities and members of visible minorities.

Our commitment

We're committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free work environment, starting with the hiring process. If you need to be accommodated during any phase of the evaluation process, please contact the hiring organization below to request specialized accommodation. All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential.

The Public Service of Canada is committed to building a skilled and diverse workforce that reflects the population it serves. We promote employment equity and encourage you to self-declare if you belong to one of the designated employment equity groups when you apply.

Equity, diversity and inclusion

The Public Service of Canada is committed to building a skilled and diverse workforce that reflects the population it serves. We promote employment equity and encourage you to self-declare if you belong to one of the designated employment equity groups when you apply.

Learn more about diversity and inclusion in the public service.

The Government Workplace Accessibility Passport allows federal public service employees to document their workplace barriers and accommodation needs. It promotes collaboration between employees and managers to provide the tools, supports and measures they need to succeed in the workplace. LAC is proud to offer the Accessibility Passport to its employees to ensure that they can perform at their best, no matter where their duties are performed.

Preference

Preference will be given to veterans first, followed by Canadian citizens and permanent residents, with the exception of jobs located in Nunavut or Yukon. For positions located in Nunavut, qualified Inuit enrolled under the Nunavut Agreement will be appointed first. For positions located in Yukon, qualified Yukon First Nations will be appointed first, followed by qualified Indigenous persons.

We'd like to thank all those who apply. However, only the people selected for further consideration will be contacted.