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Collections and Content Strategies Librarian, Western Libraries

Appointment Type and Rank: 1 year Limited Term at the rank of General, Assistant, Associate, or Senior (commensurate with qualifications and experience) 

Number of Positions: 1 (one)

Posting Date: June 3, 2026

Closing Date to Apply:  July 4, 2026

Anticipated Start Date: September 1, 2026

Position Profile: 

The Collections and Content Strategies (CCS) Librarian works collaboratively in their team to develop and enact strategy that ensures Western faculty, students, and scholars have access to world-class content and collections licensed, acquired, or created locally in all formats. This includes implementation of a system-wide content strategy which guides strategic, user-informed development, management, and evaluation of content in support of research, scholarship, and instruction. This work is informed by a deep understanding of the current information needs of our users, how access to information resources is likely to change in the future, the need to ensure preservation for future scholars, and knowledge of how users interact with our resources. 

The CCS Librarian will liaise between Western Libraries and the Faculties of Science and Engineering. The CCS Librarian will also lead a Disciplinary Community of Practice (DCoP) for Science and Engineering. Western Libraries DCoPs facilitate collaboration among library staff and provides opportunities to share knowledge across its services and teams. 

Responsibilities:

• Perform collection development duties for both monographs and serial resources, including collection evaluation, selection, and deselection of materials
• Perform duties using software relevant to collections assessment and resource analysis
• Collect usage statistics for reporting purposes
• Manage data-driven acquisition programs with vendors, including approval plans, standing orders, Evidence-Based Acquisitions (EBA), and Demand-Driven Acquisitions (DDA)
• Implement new agreements and trial programs with vendors in response to emerging developments in acquisitions in collaboration with other team members
• Participate in the development of strategic policies informed by user needs to guide how Western Libraries collections and content are accessed, developed, and maintained
• Work with the CCS team to provide strategic direction for the management of physical collections for all Western Libraries locations
• Act as a point of contact for Western’s faculty, staff, and students regarding content acquisition or access
• Communicate, consult, and collaborate on collections issues in a timely manner with the Acquisitions team; the Discovery, Description, and Metadata team; as well as library staff at the Affiliated University Colleges in order to manage collections effectively
• Participate in the management of the acquisitions budget to ensure responsible and timely expenditure
• Stay current with emerging trends in content development and management (for example, collaborative collection building, shared preservation and storage, Open Access) and adjust strategies when appropriate
• Represent Western Libraries at campus events and professional meetings

As Leader of a Disciplinary Community of Practice:

• Collaborate with colleagues across the core user functions and through a Disciplinary Community of Practice, including coordination of and contribution to disciplinary initiatives, activities, and projects as appropriate
• Chair regular meetings of a Disciplinary Community of Practice to make connections and facilitate knowledge-sharing among team members across core user functions (Teaching and Learning, Research and Scholarly Communication, User Services and Student Engagement, Archives and Special Collections)
• Coordinate various accreditation review processes associated with a Faculty or Faculties, facilitating the delivery of various written documentation and attending meetings with reviewers
• Act as a point of contact connecting a Faculty or Faculties to Western Libraries programs and services that enhance student learning, support teaching excellence, and foster research
• Attend Faculty Council meetings, sharing information about Western Libraries strategic and operational priorities as well as programs and services available to support Faculty and Departmental directions
• Keep abreast of Faculty priorities through Faculty meetings, contacts, communications, and planning documents

Academic Expectations: 

Each Member with Responsibilities in the area of Academic Activity shall be entitled and expected to engage in Academic Activity, which involves some or all of:

1. the creation of new knowledge, including understanding or concepts; 
2. the creative application of existing knowledge; 
3. the organization and synthesis of existing knowledge; 
4. creative expression; 

all in whatever media are appropriate to the Member’s area of academic expertise. 

Members shall disseminate the results of Academic Activity. It is the responsibility of Members to make the results of their Academic Activity available for independent review and assessment in a form which can be evaluated by peers. This normally entails invited or refereed journal publication, invited or refereed papers or conference presentations, published monographs, or other vehicles or media, as are appropriate to the Member’s area of Academic Activity. 

Academic Activity directly related to performance in Professional Practice is encouraged. Where a Member’s Academic Activity is judged by peer review to represent a development of materials or methods of an innovative sort or an academic advance, with application wider than the Member’s own Professional Practice, then such work may be counted either as Professional Practice or as Academic Activity, but not both. 

Qualifications or Experience and Skills Required: 

• Master's degree from a program accredited by the American Library Association (ALA), or equivalent degree, or a PhD degree in library and information science, or equivalent degree 
• Knowledge of and aptitude for collection development or collections management practices 
• Commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, anti-racism, accessibility, decolonization, and/or Indigenization work
• Ability to work independently and as a team member 
• Excellent critical thinking and organizational skills to set and balance priorities, manage competing deadlines, and take on multiple projects and responsibilities

The following experience and skills would also be an asset:

• Knowledge of resources supporting Science and Engineering, preferably with some experience collecting in these areas 
• Familiarity with or experience using Alma Library Services Platform and/or Alma Analytics
• Knowledge of Sushi, COUNTER, and other usage statistics and their integration with Alma Analytics 
• Knowledge of collection funds and licenses with attention to detail
• Demonstrated ability to work strategically and collaboratively with key constituents to support programs and initiatives 
• Two or more years of experience in academic library collections management

Compensation Details: Salary Range: $80,000-$125,000

Librarians at Western are Members of the Librarians and Archivists Bargaining Unit represented by The University of Western Ontario Faculty Association. Terms and conditions of employment, including salary and benefits, are governed by the Librarians and Archivists Collective Agreement. Rank and salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. 

Western offers a comprehensive benefit package including but not limited to extended health, dental, vision and pension.

Affirmation Policy Statement:

Western, like many postsecondary institutions in Canada, is moving beyond sole reliance upon Indigenous self-identification in its hiring processes. This is to safeguard against the use of incorrect, incomplete, or misleading information in circumstances in which a candidate has made a declaration of Indigenous citizenship or membership. Candidates who are invited for an interview or who are short-listed, and who have made a declaration of Indigenous citizenship or membership for material advantage at Western, including where required or preferred for the position, will be asked to have their declaration of Indigenous citizenship or membership affirmed through a relational accountability process, led by the Office of Indigenous Initiatives (OII), that is consistent with Indigenous ways of knowing, being, and doing. Please contact the OII directly for details on the affirmation processes: https://indigenous.uwo.ca/. The policy can be viewed at: POLICY 1.58 - Affirming Declarations of Indigenous Citizenship or Membership at Western University. 

About Western Libraries:

 Western Libraries is committed to excellence: anticipating information and service needs related to the University's goals for research and scholarship, teaching and learning, and service to our university community and key partners. The University’s strategic plan emphasizes research excellence and internationalization as key priorities. Our Strategic Plan 2022-2028, Forward Together, aligns with the University’s strategic plan, Towards Western at 150, which has three main themes: Greater Impact; People, Community, and Culture; and Western’s Place in the World.

Western Libraries, one of Canada’s leading research libraries, is a member of the Ontario Council of University Libraries (OCUL), the Canadian Association of Research Libraries (CARL), the Association of Research Libraries (ARL), the Center for Research Libraries (CRL), the Canadian Research Knowledge Network (CRKN), and a proud partner in the OCUL Collaborative Futures Project. Recognized for the quality of its staff, the access and services provided, and its outstanding print and digital collections, Western Libraries supports the University’s mission to create, disseminate, and apply knowledge for the benefit of society through excellence in teaching, research, and scholarship. 

About The University:

Western University delivers an academic experience second to none. Western challenges the best and brightest faculty, staff and students to commit to the highest global standards. Our research excellence expands knowledge and drives discovery with real-world application. Western attracts individuals with a broad worldview, seeking to study, influence and lead in the international community. Since 1878, The Western Experience has combined academic excellence with life-long opportunities for intellectual, social and cultural growth in order to better serve our communities. 

With annual research funding exceeding $300 million, and an international reputation for success, Western ranks as one of Canada's top research-intensive universities. Our research excellence expands knowledge and drives discovery with real-world application. Western also provides an exceptional employment experience, offering competitive salaries, a wide range of employment opportunities and one of Canada's most beautiful campuses.

To Apply: Applicants are required to submit a cover letter, a curriculum vitae, and the names and contact information for three professional references, by July 4, 2026 at 11:59 PM (EDT) to:

Office of the Vice-Provost & Chief Librarian
Western University
1151 Richmond Street N.
London, ON
N6A 5B8

Email: libarc@uwo.ca

Only applications received by email will be considered.

Please submit your application package as a single electronic file (MS Word or pdf).

Please quote in the subject line reference #:2026TermCCSLibrarian

Please ensure that the form available at http://www.uwo.ca/facultyrelations/pdf/full-time-application-lib-archs.pdf  is completed and included in your application submission.

Existing Vacancy Disclosure Statement:  This position is an existing vacancy.

Positions are subject to budget approval. Applicants should have fluent written and oral communications skills in English. The University invites applications from all qualified individuals. Western is committed to employment equity and diversity in the workplace and welcomes applications from women, members of racialized groups, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, persons of any sexual orientation, and persons of any gender identity or gender expression.

In accordance with Canadian Immigration requirements, priority will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents. 

Accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities throughout the recruitment process. If you require accommodations for interviews or other meetings, please contact libarc@uwo.ca