Institution

University of Toronto

Job Title

Director, Gerstein Science Information Centre 

Department/College

University of Toronto Libraries

Dates

Opening Date: 02/25/2023
Closing Date:  04/07/2023

Job Description

The University of Toronto invites applications, nominations, and expressions of interest for the position of Director, Gerstein Science Information Centre, with the appointment to be effective in summer 2023, or earlier by mutual agreement. This is an exciting opportunity for an innovative, experienced, and knowledgeable library professional to lead Canada’s largest academic health sciences library and become a key member of the senior leadership of University of Toronto Libraries.

Job Duties

Reporting to the Associate Chief Librarian for Science Research and Information, the Director of Gerstein will provide vision and strategic direction and lead the services, resources, and staff of the Gerstein Science Information Centre. Providing leadership, support, and mentorship to 19 library employees, the Director will promote the Libraries’ culture of diversity and inclusion and UTL’s Mission Statement and Values. The Director will build relationships and proactively reach out to connect and advocate for Gerstein with relevant faculty and other academic administrators. As an active member of the UTL senior management team, the Director will participate in central library committees and work with colleagues to implement UTL’s strategic plan, develop strategic directions, and assess service quality for the Gerstein Science Information Centre. Additionally, the Director works closely with the Health Science Information Consortium of Toronto (HSIC) and the HSIC Executive Director to help develop and maintain strong relationships between UTL and the hospital libraries.

Experience/Qualifications/Knowledge/Skills

The successful candidate will be a progressive and collaborative leader with a graduate degree from an ALA accredited program or equivalent, combined with significant leadership experience in higher education library services, and a commitment to excellence in teaching, research, and responding to evolving user needs and services. A clear vision for the role of the academic research library and the changing nature of technology, services, and resources is required, as is the ability to ensure a positive team environment focused on a common vision, mentorship, and staff development and growth. Candidates will possess outstanding planning and decision-making skills, strong communication and interpersonal abilities, the capacity to lead organizational change, a creative approach to problem solving, and a demonstrated commitment to equity, inclusivity, diversity, and accessibility.

Supplemental Information

Founded in 1827, the University of Toronto is Canada’s top university with a long history of challenging the impossible and transforming society through the ingenuity and resolve of its faculty, students, alumni, and supporters. The University spans the cosmopolitan city of Toronto and delivers programs on three campuses in downtown Toronto, Mississauga, and Scarborough, and in the acclaimed clinical and research centres of its nine fully affiliated teaching hospitals. Together, they attract over $1.3 billion in research grants and contracts each year. It also supports a vigorous program of commercialization and entrepreneurship through its nine incubators and accelerators and is known as one of North America’s leading universities in the creation of start-up companies. With more than 20,000 faculty and staff, over 95,000 students, and an annual operating budget of $2.7 billion, the University of Toronto is one of Canada’s Top 100 Employers and one of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers.

The University of Toronto Libraries (UTL) system is the largest academic library in Canada and is ranked third among academic research libraries in North America. The system comprises 40 libraries located on three university campuses. 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 Gerstein Science Information Centre is the largest science library at UTL with an emphasis on the health sciences. With long-standing relationships with the health science faculties, Gerstein maintains a large undergraduate science and health science collection both online and in print. It has collaborative partnerships with the hospital library community through the Health Science Information Consortium of Toronto. With 19 appointed staff, Gerstein is a hub for science communication events, entrepreneurial innovation, and 3-D instruction and printing. Additional information is available at University of Toronto Libraries and Gerstein Science Information Centre.

The University of Toronto embraces Diversity and is building a culture of belonging that increases our capacity to effectively address and serve the interests of our global community. We strongly encourage applications from Indigenous Peoples, Black and racialized persons, women, persons with disabilities, and people of diverse sexual and gender identities. We value applicants who have demonstrated a commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion and recognize that diverse perspectives, experiences, and expertise are essential to strengthening our academic mission.

The University strives to be an equitable and inclusive community, and proactively seeks to increase diversity among its community members. Our values regarding equity and diversity are linked with our unwavering commitment to excellence in the pursuit of our academic mission. The University is committed to the principles of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). As such, we strive to make our recruitment, assessment and selection processes as accessible as possible and provide accommodations as required for applicants with disabilities. If you require any accommodations at any point during the application and hiring process, please contact [email protected].

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.

How to Apply

The search committee will begin consideration of candidates immediately and will continue until the position is successfully filled. A more detailed position profile is available from [email protected].

Applications, including curriculum vitae, a letter of introduction, and the names of three references (who will not be contacted without consent of the applicant) should be submitted, in confidence, to the university's executive search consultants:

Laverne Smith & Associates Inc.
[email protected]