Library - Head

Application Deadline: January 10, 2025
Library
Reference # LIB-2025-26-02

About the Library

The total library collection includes approximately 600,000 print volumes and access to over 600,000 e-books, more than 60,000 online journals, and rare and special collections such as the Regional Collection and the Archives. The Chancellor Paterson Library is the main library on the Thunder Bay campus and occupies its own building in the center of campus. There are four additional libraries: one at the Bora Laskin Faculty of Law, the Learning Commons in Simcoe Hall (Orillia), and the Education Library (one location at the Faculty of Education-Thunder Bay and one at Heritage Place-Orillia). Lakehead University Library is an active member of both provincial and national consortia. We provide many services in collaboration with our Ontario Council of University Libraries (OCUL) partners, such as, Ask a Librarian (chat reference service), Scholars Portal, and Borealis - Lakehead University Dataverse. The library is also part of Collaborative Futures, a shared next-generation library system at 19 OCUL libraries. Our involvement with the Canadian Research Knowledge Network (CRKN) as well as other consortia, allows us to provide significant digital content. Our staff complement of over 30 includes 11 librarians and an archivist.

About the University

Lakehead University Library’s mission is to be an innovative organization that anticipates the requirements of the future while respecting the heritage of the past. By providing exceptional services, collections, and spaces, the libraries shape the creation of knowledge, actively preserve and support culture, and transform learning and research.

About the Opportunity

Reporting to the University Librarian, the Head of Access Services and Outreach provides strategic leadership and oversight to ensure the delivery of user-focused library services and outreach to support teaching, learning and research activities at Lakehead University. The Head, Access Services and Outreach is responsible for setting goals and establishing priorities and procedures, as they relate to Access Services and Outreach, across the Lakehead University Library system. This includes strategic oversight and management of all lending and borrowing activities, including interlibrary loan, document delivery and the automated fulfillment network, course reading list support (myReadings), reference and accessibility services, copyright clearance, stacks maintenance and photo ID services. In addition, the Head, Access Services and Outreach will coordinate the library’s outreach and engagement initiatives, including book displays, library programming, tabling and social media.

The position is also responsible for all operations and staff in the Access Services department at Chancellor Paterson Library. This position is supported by an Access Services team that includes the Manager of Access Services, an Evening and Weekend Supervisor, 6 unionized COPE full-time staff, and approximately 15 part-time student employees. Additionally, this position will work closely with branch librarians and the University Archivist to coordinate Access Services and outreach activities across the library system on our two campuses.

Access Services and Outreach Portfolio
- Provides strategic leadership and oversight for Access Services across the Lakehead University Library system. This includes leading the Library Access Services Management Team to ensure public services are coordinated among all Lakehead University Library and Archives locations.
- Directly supervises the Manager of Access Services and oversees the supervision of the Evening and Weekend Supervisor, 6 COPE full-time staff, and approximately 15 part-time student staff.
- Develops and provides training in portfolio areas for library staff.
- Coordinates and leads the library’s community engagement, oversees library outreach and programing, and leads the development of our external communications strategy.
- Identifies communications, marketing, and community engagement needs and develops appropriate solutions, working closely with other librarians, library staff, and where appropriate, stakeholders outside the library.
- Actively participates in communities of practice related to access services, library communications, marketing, and community engagement, and builds connections with librarians working in similar positions across Canada and internationally.
- Represents Lakehead University in consortial projects, such as OCUL and Collaborative Futures Initiatives.

Liaison Responsibilities
- Liaison responsibilities will be added to the role after a significant onboarding period and with consideration of the librarians’ experience and expertise.
- Engages in collection development and management, research consultations, instruction, development and maintenance of LibGuides and instructional videos, and other services and support.
- Cultivates partnershi