Organization Name: Toronto Public Library (c/o NAFOR Inc.)

Location: Toronto Reference Library - Toronto, ON

Compensation: $104,000 to $140,000

Organization Homepage (URL): https://www.nafor.com/tpl

About the Organization: 

OVERVIEW: Toronto Public Library (TPL) is North America’s largest and busiest public library system. The library employs approximately 2,400 staff, providing high quality library services to the people of Toronto across 100 public locations. The organization is an independent Board of the City of Toronto. On average, more than 12 million people visit its 100 branches each year, more than 33.5 million visitors access its website, and roughly 25 million items are borrowed. Over 72% of Torontonians use the library, and 1.2 million people are registered Library cardholders. Collections comprise over 10.6 million items, including books, eBooks and DVDs, with over 40 languages represented in the diverse library materials. In 2023, customers borrowed almost 25 million items, accessed online services 33.5 million times, attended over 34,000 programs with 741,000 participants, and generated more than 6 million wireless sessions.

Toronto Public Library’s Special Collections are among Canada’s leading heritage and research resources, preserving and providing access to rare, unique, and culturally significant materials through exhibitions, digitization, and public engagement.

• Comprises major collections including Canadiana, arts, children’s literature, speculative fiction, and community archives
  
• Spans rare books, manuscripts, archives, artwork, and ephemera from ancient to contemporary periods
  
• Housed across two primary locations: Toronto Reference Library and Lillian H. Smith Branch
  
• Supports a large-scale digitization program and public access via the Digital Archive
  
• Anchors a dynamic exhibition program, including the TD Gallery and virtual exhibits
  
• Provides preservation and conservation services for long-term care of materials
  
• Enables research, education, and public programming for diverse audiences
  
• Fosters community engagement and partnerships, including co-created archives
  

Social Media: N/A

Description and Duties: 

JOB SUMMARY: Oversee the operations, services, and staff of Toronto Public Library’s Special Collections team to ensure effective public access, preservation, and engagement with unique heritage collections.

• Manage daily operations and public service delivery across two locations
  
• Oversee development, management, and access to rare and archival collections
  
• Lead and supervise a team of ~35 staff, including managers and specialists
  
• Plan and deliver programs, exhibitions, and community engagement initiatives
  
• Set and monitor goals, work plans, and budgets
  
• Ensure services align with organizational strategy and user needs
  
• Build partnerships with internal teams and external cultural organizations
  
• Communicate programs, policies, and services to stakeholders
  
• Support fundraising initiatives and departmental leadership as needed
  
• Ensure safe, inclusive, and welcoming public spaces
  

Qualifications: 

You will have expertise with specialized library research and archival collections, including familiarity with recognized standards and best practices for collections management, care and handling, digitization, storage and access considerations. You will also have demonstrated experience managing teams of information professionals and service delivery functions. Other qualifications include:

- Postgraduate university degree in library, archival or information science from an accredited program, or a recognized professional equivalent

- Experience in managing a team of professional and support staff, preferably in a public library or unionized environment

- Knowledge of developments in the library and archives fields and relevant legislation

- Demonstrated ability to establish effective working relationships and collaborative work approaches

- Committed to providing efficient, responsive and innovative service to clients

- Demonstrated capacity for problem-solving, results orientation and creativity

- Highly developed oral and written communication skills

- Superior facilitation and interpersonal skills

- Proven ability in change leadership

How to Apply: Please apply directly at: https://www.nafor.com/tpl

Application Deadline: May 11, 2026, 4pm ET

Additional Information: 

ABOUT SPECIAL COLLECTIONS: Toronto Public Library’s prestigious Special Collections include the Baldwin Collection of Canadiana; Special Collections in the Visual and Performing Arts; the Chinese Canadian Archive; the Osborne Collection of Early Children’s Books; the Merril Collection of Science Fiction, Speculation and Fantasy; and the Arthur Conan Doyle Collection. The department also provides oversight and coordination for TPL’s corporate history, local history, and public art programs. These collections form the basis for the Library’s active and multifaceted digitization program, preservation services, and the exhibition program in the Library’s TD Gallery. Through physical and virtual exhibitions, strategic partnerships, and large-scale digitization, the Special Collections support the Library’s vision to create outstanding collections and services, backed by a robust suite of programs, collection animation, and community engagement.

Use of AI: No

Job Poster: Jeff Richmond

Job Poster Email: jrichmond@nafor.com