The Organization:
The Toronto Public Library is North America’s busiest urban 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. Every year more than 19 million people visit its 100 branches, more than 26 million visitors access its website, and roughly 32 million items are borrowed. Over 72% of Torontonians use the library and 1.2 million people are registered Library cardholders. Collections comprise over 11 million items including books, eBooks and DVDs, with over 100 languages represented in the diverse library materials.
The Background:
Toronto Public Library’s prestigious Special Collections include the Baldwin Room 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; the Arthur Conan Doyle Collection; and the Library’s archives. These collections also form the basis for the Library’s active and multifaceted digitization program, preservation services, and the exhibition program in the Library’s TD Gallery. From physical and virtual exhibitions, strategic partnerships and large-scale digitization, the Special Collections support the library’s vision to create an outstanding virtual library supported by a robust suite of programs, collection animation, and community engagement.
The Position:
Reporting to the Manager, Special Collections, the successful candidate will manage the daily operations and lead a team of 25.8 FTEs, which include three department heads, professional librarians and support staff in two locations (Toronto Reference Library and Lillian H. Smith Branch). The successful candidate will develop and monitor annual goals, work plans and budgets, develop and deliver innovative programs and other community engagement strategies for the Library’s Special Collections, effectively communicate with internal and external stakeholders, and participate in service development and delivery through leadership in system committees or projects.
Major Responsibilities:
• Manages the daily operations and services of the Special Collections Department, and develops goals and objectives for area of responsibility
• Plans, implements and evaluates programs and services to ensure that they meet community needs, are cost-effective and support the organization’s strategic agenda.
• Plans, implements and evaluates engagement strategies to promote interaction, collaboration and user contributed content.
• Effectively communicates policies, programs and services.
• Accountable for the effective management of financial and human resources.
• Builds partnerships and professional relationships within the Toronto Public Library, the City of Toronto, other cultural and heritage agencies and community organizations to deliver service that is proactive, and responsive to community needs.
• Plays a lead role in marketing services, and in supporting and maintaining fund-raising programs and initiatives. In consultation with other departments and the Foundation, explores new service and partnership opportunities with other libraries, organizations, donors and stakeholders.
The Candidate:
The successful candidate will have demonstrated experience in the management, storage and access issues related to special collections materials, as well as familiarity with current digital initiatives and best practices in digitization. Other qualifications include:

• Post graduate 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
• 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
• Knowledge of developments in library and archives fields and relevant legislation
• Proven ability in change leadership

Reporting to: Manager, Special Collections
Location: Toronto
Status: Permanent Full-Time – EXEMPT
Salary: $95,596.80 – $112,312.20 per annum (2019 Rate, Wage Grade 7)
Apply: E-mail your cover letter and resume, quoting the Job Posting #19-858EXT, to recruitment@tpl.ca.
We thank all applicants and advise that only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

The deadline to apply is January 13, 2020.

The Toronto Public Library invites applications from all qualified individuals. The Library is committed to employment equity and diversity in the workplace and welcomes applications from visible minorities, aboriginal people, persons with disabilities, and persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity.
Upon request, accommodation will be provided for persons with disabilities through all stages of the recruitment and selection process.