Job Tittle: Systems and E-Resource Access Coordinator (Librarian I; CLTA)
Date Posted: 10/31/2024
Closing Date: 11/30/2024
Req ID: 40462
Job Category: Librarian - Contractually Limited Term Appointment
Faculty/Division: Library
Department: Info. Technology Service
Campus: St. George (Downtown Toronto)
Are you looking for challenging, meaningful work in a supportive and diverse environment? Are you looking for a career at one of Canada’s top employers? Work where the world comes to think, discover and learn. Consider a career at the University of Toronto.
About the University of Toronto Libraries
The University of Toronto Libraries system is the largest academic library in Canada and is consistently ranked in the top ten among academic research libraries in North America. The system consists of 40 libraries located on three university campuses: St. George, Mississauga, and Scarborough. This array of college libraries, special collections, and specialized libraries and information centres supports the teaching and research requirements of over 300 graduate programs, more than 70 professional programs, and about 700 undergraduate degree programs. In addition to more than 12 million volumes in 341 languages, the library system currently provides access to millions of electronic resources in various forms and over 31,000 linear metres of archival material. More than 150,000 new print volumes are acquired each year. The Libraries' data centre houses more than 600 servers with a storage capacity of 1.5 petabytes.
The Opportunity
The University of Toronto Libraries seeks an innovative, collaborative, and knowledgeable professional to lead the transition to single sign-on (SSO) access for licensed electronic resources, with a primary focus on ensuring secure, stable, and seamless access to the library’s extensive online collections. Reporting to the Metadata Technologies Manager and working collaboratively with the E-resource Acquisitions team, Metadata Services, and Information Technology Services, the Systems and E-Resource Access Coordinator will play a critical role in safeguarding both the library's systems and users' personal data, ensuring all access points comply with institutional security policies. In addition, the incumbent will work with the team responsible for addressing and resolving e-resource access issues for students, faculty, and staff, while also developing proactive strategies to continuously enhance ease of use. By mitigating potential access barriers, the Systems and E-Resources Access Librarian will help support teaching, research, and learning. As part of a cross-unit team managing the University’s expansive e-resources portfolio, this role will also explore and integrate emerging technologies—such as new authentication protocols, AI tools, and discovery enhancements—into the library’s infrastructure, creating a forward-looking, secure digital environment.
Representative projects include:
- Overseeing UTL’s configuration, maintenance, support and transition to SSO access for the Library’s licensed electronic resources.
- Establishing a coordinated workflow between UTL ITS and the University’s Central IT Security Team to ensure compliance with institutional security policies and address any security-related issues.
- Working with colleagues to understand e-access issues raised in the most recent library survey, identifying patterns, and developing solutions to improve user experience.
Responsibilities:
- Ensures ongoing maintenance and proper integration of a SSO solution with other library systems and workflows, such as metadata description, discovery, fulfillment, acquisitions, course reserves, learning management systems, digital repositories, financial and acquisition systems, student information systems, and campus authentication services.
- Ensures reliable and efficient access to the Library’s digital collections and resources by serving as a coordinator between various units—including e-resource acquisitions and licensing, metadata services, the Information Technology Services (ITS) team, campus partners, and external vendors.
- Works with the e-resources troubleshooting team, analyzes problem trends and exceptions, and provides user-centered problem resolution.
- Provides expert and timely communications about e-access for a broad range of internal and external audiences; tailoring those communications to fit the circumstances and audience.
- Works collaboratively with the LSP management team, coordinating the technical and user-facing aspects of electronic resource access.
- Works with the University’s Central IT security team and vendors to conduct information risk assessments to identify and mitigate potential security risks associated with electronic resources and access
- Investigates and evaluates new technologies, such as AI tools, that support or enhance access to electronic resources.
- Provides guidance on security and access in the evaluation of AI tools and other new products and technologies considered for purchase.
- Provides leadership and expertise for establishing and maintaining stable and consistent online access to e-resources through coordination and leadership of e-resource troubleshooting, engaging subject librarians, vendors, and staff in the process.
- Collects, analyzes, and interprets data on electronic resource usage to identify trends, user needs, and access issues; develop and implement data-driven strategies that enhance user experience and improve access to e-resources.
- Designs and leads training for frontline staff to address common access issues, emergent problems, and ongoing needs.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Master’s degree in library, archival or information science from an accredited institution.
- Demonstrated commitment to the values of inclusivity, diversity, equity, anti-racism and accessibility.
- Understanding of the current landscape for user security, privacy and identity management for electronic resources.
- Understanding of e-resource acquisition and licensing.
- Understanding of the technologies used to manage and access e-resources.
- Familiarity with, and the ability to become skilled in scripting languages such as Python, R, etc.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills and the ability to communicate technical information to a general audience and to interact effectively with students, faculty, and staff.
- Project management skills, organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage multiple competing priorities.
- Highly collaborative and collegial, with the ability to work in a team-based environment.
- Aptitude for complex, analytical work with an attention to detail.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Working knowledge of library standards and protocols such as MARC21, MARCXML, and OpenURL.
- Working knowledge of library services platforms and discovery systems, such as Alma and Primo VE.
- Understanding of the AI and machine learning landscape, particularly in the academic library context.
- Knowledge of trends or developments in information access that are responsive to user search needs in an academic setting.
Salary and Terms of Appointment:
It is anticipated that this position will be filled at the Librarian I level, subject to review and experience. Minimum salary: LIB I: $76,403; (Salary is dependent on rank at hire and qualifications). This is a 2-year contractually limited term appointment.
Benefits: We offer generous benefits packages to all employees. Additional information is available at: https://people.utoronto.ca/careers/benefits/
Additional information
Librarians at the University of Toronto are members of the University of Toronto Faculty Association.
How to Apply:
Application Materials Required: A cover letter, curriculum vitae, and contact information for three references of which at least two have supervised your work. Please attach a single electronic file into the “Resume” Field. (MS Word or pdf) with a file name convention of Surname, FirstName, 40462.
The University of Toronto Libraries thanks all applicants but will only contact applicants selected for an interview.
University of Toronto Library System: http://onesearch.library.utoronto.ca/
University of Toronto: https://people.utoronto.ca/
Policies for librarians: https://people.utoronto.ca/policies/
This search aligns with the University’s commitment to strategically and proactively promote diversity among our community members (Statement on Equity, Diversity & Excellence). Recognizing that Black, Indigenous, and other Racialized communities have experienced inequities that have developed historically and are ongoing, we strongly welcome and encourage candidates from those communities to apply.
University of Toronto Libraries’ Inclusion, Diversity and Equity Statement:
https://www.library.utoronto.ca/inclusion-diversity-and-equity-statement
University of Toronto Libraries' Anti-Racism Statement:
https://www.library.utoronto.ca/anti-racism-statement
