Librarian, Preservation

Company Description

The Library of Parliament is a non-partisan organization that provides a unique and stimulating work environment. We are led by our guiding principles of agility, collaboration, excellence, impartiality, and inclusion. We are proud to be recognized as a Top Employer in the National Capital Region. For more information about the Library and what we offer, visit Employment opportunities at the Library of Parliament.

Job Description

The Preservation Librarian leads projects that contribute to achieving the Library of Parliament’s strategic objective of preserving parliamentary heritage. The incumbent develops extensive expertise in managing special collections in various formats, including historically significant materials, non-documentary heritage assets, and information and data reflecting the history of the Parliament of Canada.

The incumbent performs the following duties:

• Coordinate projects for the preservation of heritage assets and special collections across a variety of formats, both physical and digital.
• Design and deliver guided tours and presentations on a range of preservation-related topics for internal and external audiences.
• Design, coordinate, and deliver training activities related to preservation.
• Coordinate operations related to the development, maintenance, and enhancement of web platforms and information systems.
• Manage digitization processes.
• Participate in emergency planning and response activities related to the preservation of heritage assets and collections.

Qualifications

Education:

• A master’s degree in library science or in library and information science from a recognized university.

Experience:

• Experience preserving materials in multiple formats, including digital and print collections.
• Experience coordinating or contributing to projects related to preservation, digitization, or collection management.
• Experience working with information systems, digital repositories, or web platforms, including maintaining or supporting content and data.
• Experience collaborating with internal stakeholders and/or external partners to support operational or project objectives.

Knowledge:

• Knowledge of parliamentary publications (Debates, Journals, etc.).
• Knowledge of principles, standards and best practices for preserving and handling print materials.
• Knowledge of the principles, standards and best practices for managing heritage assets.
• Knowledge of working in partnership with internal and external stakeholders.
• Knowledge of standards and best practices for digital preservation.
• Knowledge of information systems and Web platforms, including the coordination of activities such as updating and maintaining websites and databases, as well as ongoing quality assurance testing.
• Knowledge of project management and best practices.

Competencies:

• Adaptability
• Client focus
• Embracing diversity
• Exemplifying integrity
• Information and knowledge resource management
• Quality focus
• Attention to details
• Teamwork
• Analytical thinking
• Planning and organizing

Asset Criteria:

• Experience working with rare book collections, special collections or heritage assets.
• Experience developing standards, guidelines, or policies related to collections, preservation, or information management. Experience researching objects, collections or institutions and their history or their heritage value to document and describe collection items or to respond to requests for information.
• Experience preparing and leading guided tours.

Conditions of Employment:

• A successful pre-employment security screening.
• A second-language evaluation (Bilingual staffing – imperative): CBC.

Second language self-assessment test:

To help you decide if you should apply to a bilingual position, an optional self-assessment of your written expression and reading comprehension in your second official language is available for you to take before completing your application.

Try out the self-assessment tests for written expression and reading comprehension by visiting: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-service-commission/services/second-language-testing-public-service/self-assessment-tests.html

Information on language requirements

Additional Information

Please include a cover letter with your application describing how you meet the education and experience requirements of the position. Applications without a cover letter may not be considered. Please combine your cover letter and CV into a single document or upload your cover letter on the second page of the application form.

The Library of Parliament welcomes all candidates to apply and encourages applications from Indigenous persons, racialized persons, 2SLGBTQIA+ persons and persons with disabilities for this position.

We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace by providing a barrier-free staffing process. If you have an accommodation request or require material in an accessible format, please contact us at LOPCareers-CarrieresBDP@parl.gc.ca.

Education and experience requirements will be used to determine which candidates will be asked to participate in the next stage of the selection process.

This selection process may include a second-language evaluation, a written exam, and an interview. The interview will consist of behavioural, situational and knowledge-based questions. Candidates will be required to pass each stage in order to move to the next stage of the selection process.

Qualified candidates from this selection process may be considered for determinate or indeterminate positions at the Library of Parliament that require similar knowledge and/or competencies.

Satisfactory references and proof of education are essential conditions of appointment.

Travel and relocation expenses are the responsibility of the candidates.

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