Reference Librarian
Woodward library, UBC Library | Vancouver Campus
Part-Time (0.6 FTE), 20-month term Librarian
Anticipated Start Date: May 1, 2026
UBC LIBRARY
As one of the world’s leading universities, the University of British Columbia creates an exceptional learning environment that fosters global citizenship, advances a civil and sustainable society, and supports outstanding research to serve the people of British Columbia, Canada and the world.
We honour, celebrate and thank the xʷməθkʷəy̓ əm (Musqueam) and Syilx Okanagan peoples on whose territories the main campuses of the University of British Columbia have the privilege to be situated.
The University of British Columbia Library is one of the largest academic libraries in Canada and consistently ranks among the top university research libraries in North America. UBC Library has 14 branches and divisions across two campuses (Vancouver and Kelowna), including an off-site hospital library; a multi-purpose teaching and learning facility, the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre; and the X̱wi7x̱wa Library, a centre for academic and community Indigenous scholarship. Almost 300 knowledgeable employees – librarians, management and professional staff, support staff and student staff – provide users with the excellent resources and services that they need to further their research, teaching and learning.
The UBC Library is committed to being a respectful, healthy environment that encourages leadership, collegiality, diversity, individual growth and opportunity. Explore our aspirational values that we strive to uphold and actively incorporate into all aspects of our organization. We are committed to eliminating institutional and structural systems of oppression and power (such as colonialism, sexism, classism, heterosexism, ableism, and white supremacy).
Learn more about the UBC Library Strategic Framework and about working with us.
Guided by UBC’s refreshed Strategic Plan, explore the University’s priorities and actions for the next three to five years.
WOODWARD LIBRARY AND BIOMEDICAL BRANCH LIBRARY
Woodward Library is located on the UBC Vancouver campus adjacent to the UBC hospital. The Biomedical Branch Library is located at the Diamond Health Care Centre at Vancouver General Hospital. The team of 12 librarians, 2 management and professional staff, 9 support staff, and student staff provide excellent resources and services to faculty, students and staff in seven faculties: Applied Science, Dentistry, Forestry, Land & Food Systems, Medicine, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Science.
POSITION OVERVIEW
As a member of the Woodward Library team, this position plans and implements services that respond to the changing needs of the user communities. The librarian provides liaison, reference, instructional programs, and information services to faculty, students, staff and community users. The librarian assumes responsibility for, and liaises with distributed health programs at the Fraser Valley (Surrey) site, including Master of Physical Therapy, Master of Occupational Therapy, and MD Undergraduate Program. The librarian provides in-depth research consultations, including support for knowledge synthesis. The librarian provides online and in-person classroom instruction and assistance in the use of information resources, and develops and maintains re-usable learning objects and digital materials to support information literacy instruction. The librarian engages in integrated information literacy, and collaborates on scholarly communication and data services initiatives and other new library initiatives. The librarian participates in the development and assessment of library collections for designated subject areas, and provides input on collections management.
The librarian participates in the development of library policy, procedures, and services. The librarian participates in library committees and contributes to the goals of the Library and the University, including those related to equity, diversity and inclusion. Responsibility for the coordination and management of staff, students, services or projects may be required. Occasional evening and weekend work may be required. Occasional travel to Surrey may be required. The nature and scope of responsibilities for this and other library positions are expected to change as the Library organization evolves.
WORKING RELATIONSHIPS
This position reports to the Head, Woodward Library and Biomedical Branch Library or their designate. The librarian works collaboratively with library colleagues on the Woodward Library and Biomedical Branch Library team, throughout the UBC Library system, and at other institutions such as universities, affiliated teaching hospitals, and health authorities. The librarian may be required to supervise student librarians, student assistants, and library assistants for assigned projects. The librarian interacts with faculty, students, staff and the public.
DUTIES REFERENCE AND RESEARCH SUPPORT
- Provides reference and research services to a diverse population of UBC students, faculty, and staff, and members of the public.
- Provides in-depth research consultations for designated areas in the health sciences, including support for knowledge synthesis, and advising on difficult or extensive searches.
- Works with others to develop and maintain the Woodward Library presence on the UBC Library website and throughout the UBC campus, as appropriate.
- Provides reference training for staff and student librarians.
INSTRUCTION
- Designs and delivers online or in-person instruction/presentations related to the Library’s services, tools and collections to students, faculty and staff.
- Develops instructional materials for students and faculty, including web-based subject research guides and tutorials.
- Involved in the planning, designing and organization of instructional programs.
- Develops instructional methods, practices, and resources that are widely accessible and reflective of the broad diversity of learning styles, language proficiencies, developmental skills, and cultural perspectives represented in the learning community.
FACULTY LIAISON
- Develops and maintains an active working relationship with faculty in assigned liaison areas and in the distributed programs.
- Informs faculty of services and instruction offered to complement research, teaching and learning.
- Selects print and electronic materials to support assigned liaison areas.
- Liaises with faculty on issues of collection development.
- Responds to faculty requests for accreditation, new course proposals, etc., in consultation with the Head of Woodward Library.
- Attends faculty meetings and participates in faculty committees.
SUPERVISION AND ADMINISTRATION
- Interprets and communicates UBC Library policies and procedures to faculty, staff, and students and keeps up-to-date on the latest library policies and procedures.
- Participates on UBC Library teams, working groups, and communities of practice to further the Library’s strategic directions.
- Participates on University or Faculty-level committees.
- May supervise student employees and staff.
- May be assigned coordination of services or projects such as reference, teaching and instruction, collections, web presence, subject guides and/or information guides, etc.
LIBRARY COLLABORATION
- Builds productive relationships and works collegially with a diverse population of Library employees.
- Contributes to library teams, working groups, and communities of practice.
- Collaborates with library employees throughout the Library.
- Keeps up-to-date on developments in the Library.
EQUITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION (EDI)
- Works to integrate EDI principles into public services, instruction, collection development, and overall professional practice.
- Contributes to the Library’s environment and culture that supports and celebrates EDI.
- Supports EDI through professional development opportunities and maintains awareness of EDI initiatives at departmental, campus, institutional and provincial levels (e.g., UBC’s Inclusion Action Plan and Indigenous Strategic Plan).
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND SCHOLARSHIP
- Accepts responsibility for personal continuing professional education.
- Willingly develops and maintains skills, and assumes appropriate leadership relevant to the position.
- Keeps up-to-date on developments in library service, resources and technology and on broader issues that affect the practice of librarianship.
- Participates in relevant professional organizations.
- Engages in professional development, scholarly and service activities under the terms of the Collective Agreement.
QUALIFICATIONS
Required:
- Masters-level degree from an accredited program of library or information science, or equivalent internationally accredited program
- Experience providing reference and/or research services or support
- Knowledge of key databases, relevant information sources, citation management software, and library applications
- Teaching experience, and familiarity with trends and best practices in instruction
- Evidence of a proactive, user-centred approach to providing services
- Experience building productive relationships and working collegially with a diverse population of colleagues or users in keeping with the UBC Respectful Environment Statement
- Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one’s own.
- Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one’s own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion.
Preferred:
- Academic background in the health sciences or sciences, or relevant library work experience
- Strong written and oral communication skills
- Experience or familiarity with outreach or liaison activities
- Experience with collection development for print and electronic resources
- Experience or commitment to incorporating equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) into public services, instruction, collection development, and overall professional practice
- Ability to initiate, plan and carry out projects, both independently and as a member of a team
- Ability to adjust and accommodate to changing priorities within libraries and academic institutions
- Embraces curiosity, ideas, creativity and innovation, pursues opportunities, and explores new initiatives
- Familiarity with knowledge synthesis methodologies and expert searching, data management, and open scholarship
- Interest in leadership as related to committee and project work
- Interest in professional development opportunities
TERMS OF APPOINTMENT AND SALARY
Appointment: This is a 60% 20-month term appointment with an anticipated start date of May 1, 2026. The successful candidate will be a member of The University of British Columbia Faculty Association and the terms and conditions of appointment are governed by the Collective Agreement between UBC and the UBC Faculty Association.
Eligibility: We are only considering applications from librarians with a maximum of 2 years of professional library experience. However, all internal candidates will be considered regardless of years of experience and are encouraged to apply.
Salary: Starting salary is $83,955 to $86,520 per annum, and will be prorated to FTE 0.6. Actual salary offered will be commensurate with experience and academic/professional qualifications, as well as internal parity. UBC also offers a comprehensive benefits package. Information about salary increases can be found in the Collective Agreement.
Benefits: Librarians and their dependents are eligible for an extensive benefits package including extended health care coverage, dental coverage, Employee and Family Assistance Program, life insurance, pension and travel benefits. To support families, UBC provides a top-up for eligible employees on maternity or parental leave. Tuition assistance is also available for qualifying employees and dependent children. In addition, librarians/archivists are eligible for professional development funding to support career growth at the university, as well as study leave. Details are available in the Collective Agreement, and for more information see UBC Human Resources: https://hr.ubc.ca/benefits/eligibility-enrolment/employee-groups. Additional information about relocation to UBC Vancouver can be found: https://hr.ubc.ca/working-ubc/housing-and-relocation-services.
UBC hires on the basis of merit and is committed to employment equity. All qualified persons are encouraged to apply.
Equity and diversity are essential to academic excellence. An open and diverse community fosters the inclusion of voices that have been underrepresented or discouraged. We encourage applications from members of groups that have been marginalized on any grounds enumerated under the B.C. Human Rights Code, including sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, racialization, disability, political belief, religion, marital or family status, age, and/or status as a First Nation, Metis, Inuit, or Indigenous person.
All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Applications will include: a detailed and current curriculum vitae; and a letter of application that includes a statement of citizenship/immigration status and indicates the candidate’s education, training and work experience in the areas listed above, as well as how you heard about this opportunity. One consolidated PDF is preferred.
Please visit the UBC careers website to view the full position description and on how to apply. The application deadline will be at 11:59 p.m. on March 2, 2026.
