GIS and Map Librarian

York University Libraries seeks an enthusiastic and service-oriented librarian with excellent communication skills to fill the position of GIS and Map Librarian. The successful candidate will be a creative and self-motivated person who works well with colleagues in a challenging and dynamic environment.

York University offers a world-class, modern, interdisciplinary academic experience in Toronto, Canada's most multicultural city. York is at the centre of innovation, with a thriving community of almost 60,000 students, faculty, and staff who challenge the ordinary and deliver the unexpected.

Located in the Scott Library, the Map Library supports a print collection of 112,000 maps, 5,000 aerial photographs and 6,600 atlases and books, as well as an extensive digital geospatial data collection. This library is staffed by the GIS and Map Librarian along with an additional 1.5 full-time employees and 6 part-time student assistants. Services include reference, reserves, circulation, collection development and maintenance, as well as cartographic information literacy.

The candidate will lead in the teaching, reference, collection and liaison activities for geospatial and map resources. A priority for the library is working with faculty to integrate library GIS data resources and maps into the curriculum. The librarian will have special responsibility for the Department of Geography collection, liaison, and, information literacy activities at the undergraduate and graduate levels. The candidate will provide research and teaching support in the use of map resources and geospatial and non-geospatial data to researchers across the disciplines including social science, humanities, science and engineering. The GIS and Map Librarian will liaise with the broader geospatial community: campus, provincial, national and international. The candidate will work closely with the York Data Librarian.

The position includes the management of the Map Library, its services and collections. The incumbent will inspire and foster innovation in the delivery of frontline and virtual service to the user community, and will provide leadership in developing optimal access to geospatial and map resources. The incumbent will supervise staff in the Map Library, prepare annual budgets and other reports, and advise on processing print and electronic materials including metadata standards for digital resources and cartographic materials.

The successful candidate will have the following qualifications:

• An ALA-accredited MLIS degree or equivalent with up to seven years post-MLIS experience.
• Educational background relevant to geography, GIS and Maps.
• Extensive knowledge of and expertise with the use of geospatial data and GIS software packages.
• Will have completed some courses in geomatics or GIS.
• Expertise with non-spatial data resources, and statistical software packages.
• Demonstrated understanding of developing linkages between spatial and non-spatial data.
• Evidence of leadership and professional initiative.
• Ability to work with a large and diverse clientele.
• Extensive knowledge of print map resources and principles of organization including indexes and cataloguing standards.
• Knowledge of information sources relevant to the map library user community.
• Demonstrated managerial skills.
• Experience in web authoring and web support technologies.
• Demonstrated understanding of the concepts, goals, and methods of information literacy instruction and ability to teach in a variety of settings and formats.
• Effective analytical, written and oral communication skills, including demonstrated skills in training, and public communications.
• Demonstrated ability to multi-task and be flexible in a dynamic work environment.
• A demonstrated commitment to developing, maintaining and sharing technical expertise
• A demonstrated ability to work creatively and effectively, both independently and collaboratively as a team member.
• Willingness to undertake library and university committee responsibilities, professional development, research and scholarship.

The GIS and Map Librarian is a continuing tenure-stream appointment at the Assistant Librarian level and appropriate for a librarian with up to seven years post-MLIS experience. The length of term for head of the Map Library is up to five years with possibility of renewal.

Librarians at York University have academic status and are members of the York University Faculty Association bargaining unit (http://www.yufa.org/). Salary is commensurate with qualifications. The position is available to commence December 1, 2010. All York University positions are subject to budgetary approval.

York University is an Affirmative Action Employer. The Affirmative Action Program can be found on York's website at www.yorku.ca/acadjobs or a copy can be obtained by calling the affirmative action office at . All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian citizens and Permanent Residents will be given priority.
York University resources include centres relating to gender equity, race and ethnic relations, sexual harassment, human rights, and wellness. York University encourages attitudes of respect and non-discrimination toward persons of all ethnic and religious groups and regardless of gender or sexual orientation.

The deadline for applications is July 30th, 2010. Applications should include a cover letter relating the applicant’s qualifications to the requirements of the position, a current curriculum vitae, and the names and contact details of three referees are requested. In addition, please have at least two of your three referees submit signed written letters of reference directly under separate cover by fax or mail by the deadline. Please ensure each referee is supplied with a copy of this position advertisement and asked to address the requirements of the position.

Applications can be sent to:

Chair, GIS and Map Librarian Appointment Committee
York University Libraries
310 Scott Library
4700 Keele Street
Toronto, Ontario
M3J 1P3
Fax: (416) 736-5451
Email: yulapps@yorku.ca

Applications should be sent by mail, or email/fax with a mail copy following.