Communities Librarian

**Department**:Communities, Culture, Tourism & Heritage

**Location**:HALIFAX

**Type of Employment**:Permanent

**Union Status**:NSGEU - NSPG

**Closing Date**:02-Oct-24 (Applications are accepted until 11:59 PM Atlantic Time)

**About Us**:
Nova Scotia’s culture and heritage contribute to vibrant communities and enrich the quality of life in every part of the province. The Department of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage invites Nova Scotians to experience and participate in our rich cultural expression.

By exploring our past, we appreciate where we came from. This enriches our lives today and gives us insight for times ahead. Through investing in our future, we help realize the potential of our people and talents. We foster an environment that embraces ideas and innovation. Jobs are generated and our creative economy flourishes. Encouraging cultural expression brings life to our communities. We each contribute to the province we call home through distinct perspectives and traditions. Together, our diversity defines the uniqueness of Nova Scotia.

**About Our Opportunity**:
The Communities Librarian is a consultant and advisor to the regional public library systems and Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage (CCTH) on services to public libraries. The Communities Librarian identifies and develops strategic partnerships, special projects, and service models regarding library services. The Communities Librarian works collaboratively with community partners, libraries, and other organizations in the culture sector (e.g., museums, and archives) to identify service needs. The Communities Librarian works to align library services with CCTH and other government priorities. In addition, the Communities Librarian acts as an NSPL lead in library promotions and marketing strategies, liaising with library public relations staff as well as Communications Nova Scotia (CNS).

The Communities Librarian supports the work of NSPL and builds awareness of public libraries. This may include representing NSPL on department/government projects, committees and/or initiatives. It may occasionally entail assisting other teams within NSPL to accomplish their goals and objectives.

This position reports to the Client Services Manager.

**Primary Accountabilities**:
The Librarian assists in the development and delivery of equitable and sustainable library service:

- Assists the Librarian 4 (Client Services) in reviewing, developing, and implementing projects, services, and policy.
- Serves on provincial and pan-Canadian committees and working groups to
- increase awareness of NSPL and Nova Scotia’s public libraries, and
- ensure that the public libraries’ perspective is represented.
- Assists with research and analysis on library trends, policies, and best practices to ensure inclusive and accessible library services.
- Acts as a consultant for the library sector and government on library service development and delivery.

The Librarian builds relationships with external groups and other government agencies/departments:

- Identifies opportunities for, and initiates partnerships with, community groups and government to ensure sustainable and collaborative approaches to library services delivery.
- Develops business cases for partnerships and projects and implements related work.
- Seeks out and liaises with colleagues in the library sector and other organizations to research new and potential shared initiatives.

The Librarian helps to build awareness of the Nova Scotia Provincial Library and the work of Nova Scotia’s public libraries:

- Assists in identifying and developing shared opportunities to promote library services.
- Uses social media and other tools to effectively communicate the services and roles of public libraries in their communities.

**Qualifications and Experience**:
To be successful in this role you have a Bachelor’s degree with a post‐graduate degree in Library Science plus 2 years professional library experience.

You possess exceptional organizational and communication skills (verbal and written). You are a self-directed with the ability to work independently or in a team environment. You have experience using Microsoft programs (Word, Outlook, Excel), library database systems, and internet search engines. You have a high degree of concentration, accuracy, and attention to detail.

We will assess the above qualifications and competencies using one or more of the following tools: written examination, standardized tests, oral presentations, interview(s), and reference checks.

**Benefits**:
Based on the employment status and union agreement, the Government of Nova Scotia offers its employees a wide range of benefits such as a Defined Benefit Pension Plan, Health, Dental, Life Insurance, General illness, Short and Long Term Disability, Vacation and Employee and Family Assistance Programs. For information on all our Benefit program offerings, click here: Benefits for government employees.