INDIGENOUS HEALTH LIBRARIAN

In response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) of Canada's - Calls to Action and keeping with the Faculty of Health Science (FHS) Indigenous Health Initiative Strategic Plan and the FHS Strategic Priority on Indigenous health, the incumbent will be responsible for identifying and developing innovative services and resources. They will also support existing Health Sciences Library (HSL) initiatives focused on building staff awareness of Indigenous health literature, research, and the circumstances leading up the TRC's Calls to Action.

The TRC's Call to Action outlines several recommendations requiring changes to current practice in museums and archives (recommendation #69), the healthcare system, and healthcare education (#24). The HSL's goal is to both respond to these and other recommendations and harmonize western library science principles with Indigenous knowledge stewardship and explore and develop initiatives consistent with Indigenous data sovereignty principles. Supporting concepts of Institutional and individual Indigenous allyship, the incumbent provides leadership for peers, collaborates with a wide range of constituencies, promotes Indigenous librarianship, and actively supports scholars engaged in Indigenous health research.  They will liaise and work in partnership with the Indigenous Health Learning Lodge to support various activities related to implementing the Indigenous Health Education Strategic Plan.  

The incumbent will contribute to the overall planning and management of Health Sciences Library services and collaborate on special projects, including needs assessment and program evaluation.  Through collaborative partnerships and agreements, they serve as a resource to Indigenous health research, publication, and knowledge dissemination at McMaster and brings Indigenous ways of knowing to the forefront in areas related to information management and knowledge stewardship. 

Representative Duties & Responsibilities:

• In keeping with the concept of institutional allyship, coaches, trains, and supports colleagues to promote Indigenous ways of knowing in health science education and research
• Develops and delivers mentorship and learning opportunities to promote librarianship within Indigenous student communities
• Maintains a current awareness of existing and new Indigenous content resources  
• Contributes to the overall collection development in the Library, in particular identifying Indigenous information gaps 
• Promotes and delivery expert literature searches in clinical and non-clinical subject areas 
• Works individually and as part of a team to deliver library orientation, workshops, seminars, and other learning opportunities  
• Liaises regularly with Indigenous Health Initiative leadership (https://healthsci.mcmaster.ca/ihi) and the Indigenous Learning Lodge and supports curriculum design
• Participates in project planning, implementation, and evaluation 
• Occasionally works evenings and weekends 
• Travels to various McMaster, hospital, and community sites  

This is an excellent position for an energetic, creative and self-confident librarian interested in having significant influence over the development of a multifaceted suite of instruction programs, services and initiatives relating to a variety of programs and streams.

The anticipated start date for this position is April 1, 2021

Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in Library or Information Science from an ALA-accredited program
• Minimum of 3- 5 years of professional experience
• Knowledge of Indigenous worldviews, histories, governance structures, spiritualities, lands and cultures (particularly within the Canadian context), as well as decolonization / Indigenization-related issues 
• Education in Indigenous-related subject areas and / or work experience within an Indigenous organization  
• Knowledge of Indigenous library resources 
• An awareness of current trends in librarianship, including Indigenous Librarianship 
• Knowledge of teaching and learning trends and practices
• Strong analytical, problem solving, and organizational skills  
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and collaboratively with others in a team environment
• Demonstrated understanding of the value of diversity and inclusion in the workplace

Professional Responsibilities 

The incumbent will demonstrate professional service and professional activity as defined in Article 3 of the MUALA Collective Agreement.  

The appointment will be made at the Librarian 2 or 3 rank ($65,278 - $96,303 per year, or $70,718 - $106,896). The position is included in the McMaster University Academic Librarians’ Association bargaining unit. Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. The position includes a competitive and comprehensive benefit package.

Librarians who wish to be considered for this opportunity should submit their curriculum vitae with a cover letter.