Library Jobs In Canada 2023

LIBRARY JOBS IN CANADA-2023

Hurray! Library job opportunities in Canada are increasing massively! The boost in research institutes, industries, and educational institutions are some of the circumstances responsible for the urgent need to hire Library Job seekers In Canada. Also, more people are getting close to retirement while the need to use a library continues to rise.

Despite the massive job vacancies in different provinces of Canada, the current progressive rise in the number of graduates in Library Science and other Library-related courses all over the world has made competition to secure Library Jobs in Canada high.

As a result of the foregoing, whether you are a fresh graduate or a professional, an inhabitant of Canada, or a foreigner, this content is written to keep you abreast of information needed to pursue befitting library jobs in reputable libraries in Canada.

Table of Contents

Who is a Library Job Worker?

A person who works in a library is a Library worker. However, the general name given to one who works in a library is a Librarian. A library is kept by its Librarian. He does this by cataloging and organizing its valuables (books, journals, magazines, audio files, articles, films, archives, etc.) and other resources for convenient use by library users. A Librarian also administers, controls, and supervises the use of library materials, equipment, and computers.

However, library Jobs in Canada are about more than just Librarians. There are other job titles in the library where duties are subordinate and supportive to all the operations and upkeep in the library.

If you want to secure a fruitful Library Job in Canada, it is very important to know the following job descriptions for cadres and ranks:

Job Description of Cadres and Ranks in the Library

1. Librarian

Plans and coordinates Library services.
Controls, develops and manages the staff cadres of the Library
Organizes library support for instructional, research, and publication programmes.
Organizes and provides instructional programmes for freshers in the use of the library.
Develops a Library collection by selecting books and other materials from various sources.

2. Deputy Librarian

Coordinates and supervises the work of different sections of the library.
Provides bibliographic and reference services to teachers and research scholars.
Conducts instructional programmes for freshers in the use of the library.
Helps in the building of library collections in his/her respective area of specialization.
Helps the Librarian in planning the library resources and services.

3. Assistant Librarian:

Train persons under his/her charge and supervise their work.
Assists the Deputy Librarian in conducting the use of library programmes for the freshers.
Assist to build a collection by selecting books from various sources in their field of specialization.
Provides spot reference service to students, research scholars and freshers.

4. Information Scientist:

Maintain computers (including hardware and software)
Trains the staff and students in the use of the computer.
Provides online SDI services to research scholars and teachers.
Maintain databases.
To market the library and information products and services.
Other professional work assigned by the Librarian.

5. Professional Assistant:

Handles acquisition routines of books and periodicals.
Classification of books
Cataloging of books
Providing spot reference service
Circulation work
Stack and its maintenance work.
Other professional work assigned by the supervising staff Job Specification of different categories of Library Staff: 2

6. Semi-Professional Assistant:

Prepares book selection slips/cards/lists
Checking of duplicates
Accessioning
Registration of (periodicals and newspapers)
Circulation work
Other technical work assigned by the supervising staff

7. Library Assistant:

Duplicate checking
Accessioning
Circulation work
Shelving of books and periodicals
Other work assigned by the supervising staff

8. Library Attendant:

Cleaning of furniture, books and shelves
Sorting of books for shelving
Shelving of books and periodicals
Shelf rectification
Labeling and stamping of books
Dak distribution
To check the outgoing reading materials and other library assets that are properly issued at the entrance and exit points
Preparation of books and periodicals for binding.
Other work has to be assigned by the supervising staff.

9. Ministerial Staff of the Library:

(a) Section Officer:

To maintain the accounts of the library budget.
To maintain the store & purchase stationery and other items.
To train persons under his/her charge and supervise their work.
All other work related to finance and accounts.

(b) Personal Assistant:

To maintain the Office of the Librarian
To take dictation from the Librarian and type the letters.
Correspondence work.

(c) Upper Divisional Clerk

Processing of bills for payment
Ii. To make entries in the inward and outward registers
Collection of overdue charges/fines/library consultation fees etc.

(d) Lower Divisional Clerk

To type purchase orders of books and periodicals.
All other work related to the Post Office and Bank.

Requirements to secure Library Jobs in Canada

1. Finish your bachelor’s degree

Ensure that you obtain a bachelor’s degree in the relevant study of libraries. Although courses like English and History have been used to secure library jobs in the past, possessing a bachelor’s degree in Library Science is now preferred. This is because library jobs are now becoming scientific as a result of the rapid advancement in the use of library resources for their multidimensional usage.

The need for a bachelor’s degree depends on the type of library you seek to work with. So becoming a specialized librarian is possible, too. For instance, you can study History if you intend to work in a museum library. However, since securing the library job, and becoming a successful librarian is all important to you, finishing your university degree with a high grade will give you an advantage over other applicants with lower grades.

2. Complete your practical experience through an internship

A practical experience in inventory and database management, cataloging, and other library services is needed to make you efficient on the job. You can get this by finishing an internship in a library. A library job is practical, and a lot can only be learned by internship.

By completing your internship, you can confidently set out for an interview for a library job. Including an internship in your resume can make you a more attractive candidate and boost your chances of securing a job. You can finish your internship in a society library, a school library or a public library.

3. Further your education to obtain a master’s degree in Library Science

A higher degree in Library Science gives you a better chance to meet up with job requirements from employers, especially in the educational library sector. Most employers in Canada require a Master’s (degree) in Library Science (MLS) for librarians.

Fortunately, the period of enrollment for the MLS is usually not more than two years. Instead of staying idly while waiting for employment opportunities, you can quickly apply for the master’s degree immediately after the bachelor’s degree. The MLS course is expected to enhance more studies in descriptive cataloging, record management, classification systems, and library database management.

4. Enquire about requisite provincial certificates

This step is the same as enquiring about joining a regulatory body of professional Librarians in the province. Canada is a country divided into different provinces. Each of the provinces has its different associations. You must know which of the provinces your job falls into.

After this, you can go to your provincial or territorial employment website and confirm any certification or licensing requirements. For example, the Canadian Association of Professional Academic Librarians is the body that regulates librarians.

5. Search and apply for a Library Job

Library jobs are many in all provinces of Canada. After deciding where you want to work, and the type of industry you prefer based on your academic, training and professional certificates, searching for Library Jobs in Canada is a lot easier now than before. There are many tools, platforms and ways to search for library jobs in Canada. While searching for library jobs in Canada, it is necessary to have prepared a fascinating resume and cover letter.

Librarians are part of Canada’s National Occupational Classification list under code 5111, so eligible international applicants can also follow the requirements and apply for a job as a librarian.

Salaries and Wages

Salaries and wages are some of the reasons for applying for library jobs in Canada. This varies from one level to another. For instance, the average librarian’s salary in Canada is $68,442 per year or $35.10 per hour. For entry-level positions, it starts at $51,633 per year, while most experienced workers make up to $84,083 per year.

A federal government librarian gets the highest salary in Canada. National government librarian earns just over $70,000 a year. The requirement to work as a national government librarian is a master’s degree in Library Science (MLS), and this is usually from an accredited program of the American Library Association (ALA)

Library Job Skill Sets

Employers of library jobs in Canada require you to possess some skill sets that will facilitate your academic, professional and practical know-how on the job. One of them is that you should have superb organizational skills to manage many resources effectively. Other important skill sets for library jobs in Canada include:

administration skills.
Tolerance and cooperation
thoroughness and paying attention to detail.
customer service skills.
ability to work without supervision.
knowledge of the English language.
flexibility and adaptability.
sensitivity and understanding.

Top 10 Companies Hiring for Library Jobs in Canada

University of Toronto
Toronto Public Library
University of Calgary
McGill University
York University
University of Alberta
Government of Canada
University of British Columbia
CBC/Radio-Canada
Queen’s University

Best Job Search Websites of 2023

Best Overall: Indeed
Runner-Up, Best Overall: Monster
Best for Employer Research: Glassdoor
Best for Remote Jobs: FlexJobs
Best for Experienced Managers: Ladders
Best for Startup Jobs: Well found
Best for Connecting Directly With Recruiters: LinkedIn
Best for Up-to-Date Listings: Getwork
Best for Hourly Workers: Snagajob

The 10 Best Library in Canada

The following list comprises the 10 best libraries in Canada. You stand a great chance of becoming one of the most successful Librarians in Canada if you secure a job in one of the Libraries listed below! This list is an opportunity to form the basis for searching for library jobs in Canada.

Library Associations in Canada

Canada Health Libraries Association.
Canadian Association of Law Libraries.
Canadian Association of Professional Academic Librarians.
Canadian Association of Research Libraries.
Canadian Federation of Library Associations.
Canadian School Libraries.
Ex Libris Association.
The Partnership.

Library Jobs schedule/holidays and leaves

The normal hours of work for a librarian member shall be thirty-five (35) hours per week. The hours of work, however, may be scheduled otherwise, subject to the hours of work for each librarian member. Each member shall be scheduled fairly and equitably during the operating hours of the Libraries. Many factors are responsible for library job scheduling.

Further Reading: ARTICLE 26 – Hours of Work for Librarian Members | Collective Agreement | WUFA

Methods of Application for Library Jobs

Email.
Company websites.
In-person.
Recruitment agencies.
Networking.
Referrals.
Job Fairs.
Cold calling.

FAQ

Will Librarians be in demand in the future?

Employment of applicants for library jobs and library media specialists is projected to grow 6 percent from 2021 to 2031! This is about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 14,900 openings for library jobs seeker and library media specialists are projected each year, on average, over the decade. \

Are Library Jobs in demand in Canada?

For Librarians, archivists, conservators and curators, over the period 2019-2028, new job openings (arising from expansion demand and replacement demand) are expected to total 5,400, while 5,600 new job seekers (arising from school leavers, immigration and mobility) are expected to be available to fill them.

What qualifications do I need to be a Librarian in Canada?

New entrants in the profession must have an ALA-accredited master’s degree in library science or library and information studies. Some library jobs also require specialized subject knowledge.