Vice-Provost & Chief Librarian

Western University is located on the traditional lands of the Anishinaabek, Haudenosaunee, Lūnaapéewak and Chonnonton peoples, on lands connected with the London Township and Sombra Treaties of 1796 and the Dish with One Spoon Covenant Wampum. This land continues to be home to diverse Indigenous Peoples (First Nations, Métis, and Inuit) whom we recognize as contemporary stewards of the land and vital contributors of our society. Ranked among the top 1% of higher education institutions worldwide, Western is Canada’s third largest research-intensive university, and is a founding member of the U15 group of Canada’s distinguished research universities. As Western looks towards its 150th anniversary in 2028, the University is poised for even greater impact, with focus on educating, supporting, and encouraging leaders who think and act boldly in response to the grand challenges of our times. Western Libraries is the fourth-largest academic library system in Canada and is dedicated to supporting research, teaching, and learning at Western. Western Libraries comprises five libraries and three centres distributed across the University campus and is a member of the Ontario Council of University Libraries, the Canadian Association of Research Libraries, and the Association of Research Libraries. Recognized for the quality of its staff, the access and services provided, and its outstanding collections - which include over eleven million items in print, microform, and various other formats, as well as online access to tens of thousands of digital resources - Western Libraries supports the University's mission of providing the best student experience among Canada's leading research-intensive universities. For more information about Western Libraries, please visit www.lib.uwo.ca/aboutwl/. Reporting to the Provost and Vice-President (Academic), the Vice-Provost & Chief Librarian is responsible for the overall administration, planning, budgeting, and management of Western Libraries. The Chief Librarian will work actively with librarians, archivists, and library staff members to deliver exceptional service and will play a key role in evolving and fulfilling Western Libraries’ Forward Together 2022-2028 strategic goals in alignment with and to advance the University’s Towards Western at 150 strategic plan. This bold plan sets forward a vision of greater impact and growth for the University and presents Western Libraries as foundational for Western’s research, scholarship, and creative activities. As a member of the senior leadership team, the Chief Librarian will develop and extend teaching, learning, and research initiatives, and contribute to the enhancement of scholarship, curriculum, and pedagogy within Western Libraries. They will foster an exceptional learning environment by providing the necessary support and guidance for leaders and staff across the organization and ensure continuous personal and professional growth by establishing and improving assessment and performance measures. They will also be actively engaged in local, regional, and national initiatives aimed at raising awareness of library advocacy, scholarly resource acquisition, the sustainability of scholarly publishing, research data infrastructure, and the transformation of scholarly communication. They will have a keen awareness of the rapidly evolving landscape of library services and resources, emerging technologies, and trends. The Chief Librarian will collaborate with the Vice-President (University Advancement) and internal stakeholders to develop a library advancement strategy to raise funds in support of the upcoming second phase of the D.B. Weldon Library revitalization, additional library renovations and space enhancements, service innovations, digitization, and archival and special collections acquisitions. The successful candidate will possess an Master’s degree from a program accredited by the American Library Association (ALA) or a PhD in library and information or an equivalent degree, coupled with eligibility for continuing appointment at the rank of Senior Librarian. The ideal candidate has a demonstrated capacity for leadership in a major research library, and proven ability as a collaborative, collegial, and approachable manager dedicated to creating accessible services, and to creating a safe and welcoming environment for library staff and users. As an exceptional communicator who brings a strong commitment to academic librarianship, the Chief Librarian will promote and foster a supportive environment that encourages contributions from diverse groups and individuals, embracing their curiosity, creativity, ideas, and innovations. The selected candidate will have a demonstrated strength in building relationships and partnerships, trust, and respect, with a broad spectrum of stakeholders, coupled with an authentic and impactful understanding of equity, diversity, and inclusion principles and Indigenous engagement. The appointment of Vice-Provost & Chief Librarian is for a five-year term with the possibility of renewal. The new Vice-Provost and Chief Librarian will ensure Western Libraries is an active agent – a partner in scholarship and research – and a catalyst for learning and knowledge creation. Western University is located on the banks of the Thames River in London, Ontario, a thriving city to nearly 400,000 people, 200 kilometres west of Toronto. London offers affordable housing, low crime rates, health care facilities, culture, and is a hub for higher education, medical research, manufacturing, and technology. As one of Canada’s fastest growing cities, London is known as the “Forest City” because of the natural beauty, trees, and green space found throughout. For more information, please visit www.westernu.ca. Western University is committed to employment equity and diversity welcomes applications from women, members of racialized groups/visible minorities, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, persons of any sexual orientation, and persons of any gender identity or gender expression. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority. Janet Soles and Associates has been retained to conduct this search on behalf of Western University. For more information about this opportunity or to apply, please send your curriculum vitae and letter of interest in confidence, with the subject line “Western Chief Librarian” to: apply@jssearch.ca

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