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Location: Vancouver, BC

Salary: Salary based on experience

Employment Term: Full-time

Employer Contact: [log in to unmask]

Reporting to the Senior Curator of Canadian Art, the Head Librarian directs the activities of the Vancouver Art Gallery’s 50,000 volume research library and archives for both in-house and public users.  This position plans, manages and evaluates collections, policies, services, staffing, programs, budgets, communications, facilities and operations of the library and archives in accordance with the Gallery’s goals to ignite curiosity and to promote knowledge and understanding of visual art.  As the institution is currently planning a new facility with a larger and more public presence for a resource centre that will house the library, archives and related scholarly activities, the incumbent will envision and adapt library and archival functions for the conditions of the 21st century.

The Vancouver Art Gallery Association (Association) believes creativity is fundamental to an open and engaged world. The Association strives for art experiences that create paths of shared perspectives leading to engaged and diverse communities supporting a collective future together. The Association operates a museum located in downtown Vancouver on the unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səl̓ilwətaɁɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) nations.

The Vancouver Art Gallery, one of the largest art museums in Canada, and the largest arts organization in Western Canada, is undergoing a multi-phase organizational transformation. With a permanent collection of over 12,000 works of art, the Gallery is implementing a campaign to build a new purpose-built gallery facility in downtown Vancouver, the Chan Centre for Visual Arts. This is a moment of growth, exploration and innovation, as the Gallery re-articulates its relationship to community and audiences to re-imagine what an art museum in the 21st century can be.

As a not-for-profit organization incorporated under the BC Societies Act and a recognized charity, the Association’s funding is dependent on contributed and earned revenue and municipal, provincial, and federal grants, as well as foundation support and the generosity of its donors.  The Association had over 150 employees pre-COVID and has put in place the foundation for post-COVID recovery and strategic development.

• Develops and implements policies to build resources and deliver services to internal and external users; establishes and implements long-range plans ensuring information and collection management standards are maintained including the online catalogue, exhibitions history database, MemoryBC archival records, web presence and resource-sharing; develops priorities for collections relative to internal and external contexts.
• Participates in planning for the new building especially as it pertains to the library and archives and the development of the facility, resources and procedures for an expanded set of users including those related to the Institute of Asian Art. Develops an overall plan of activities related to the resource centre. Plans and executes the move of collections to a new building.
• Ensures the development of research collections through purchase, gift and library exchange from national and international sources in accordance with the existing and emerging needs of users; develops and maintains active relations with collectors, donors, artists and book dealers for purposes of acquisitions and raising awareness.
• Develops the Artists’ Archive by researching and soliciting donations of material from select artists and determining access to this resource in the new facility.
• Develops strategies for managing and accessing the Vancouver Art Gallery Institutional Archive, promoting institution-wide awareness of archiving procedures.
• Directs the overall operation of the library and archives as an information service for gallery staff and external researchers; develops and implements strategies for information management; assesses and plans for appropriate technologies.
• Manages library and archives staff. Hires and trains new staff. Oversees and coordinates selection and supervision of volunteers and interns. Selects and trains volunteers and interns or delegates to library and archives staff.
• Establishes overall custodial practices in support of the long-term use and well-being of the collections, promoting conservation and preservation as well as maintaining safety for its users.
• Creates special collaborations and programs that engage Gallery visitors such as book launches, reading groups, visual art information blogs and special exhibitions from the library and archives.
• Establishes and administers budgets including capital needs; establishes fundraising priorities in accordance with institutional needs and is actively involved in solicitations for these.
• Promotes and represents the library and archives through professional associations and leadership in the Canadian and international art libraries community, collaborating with colleagues especially in the Lower Mainland and beyond; maintains knowledge of scholarly resources, museums and art libraries in Canada and elsewhere.
• The Head Librarian will supervise an archivist and library assistant; directs the activities of staff as well as volunteers and students including recruitment, selection, training and motivation. Determines discipline and discharge decisions regarding reporting staff with the Director of Human Resources. Participates in the grievance procedure at Step 1 and continues to represent the department at all stages of the grievance procedure for reporting staff. Contributes to collective bargaining preparation and participates in the ongoing administration of the collective agreement with all reporting staff.
• These duties and responsibilities outlined above are representative, but not all inclusive.
• Ability to work cooperatively and creatively and communicate effectively both orally and in writing, to research and write for many purposes.
• Well organized and exercise good judgement and flexibility in a dynamic environment.

• Master’s Degree in Library Science or, a dual MA degree in library and archival studies from an ALA -accredited institution, with education or demonstrated knowledge and interest in art history.
• At least three years professional work experience in an art gallery/museum library or academic art library, including previous experience in a leadership capacity.
• Comprehensive knowledge and proficiency in principles and practices of knowledge and information management, including cataloguing experience with RDA, MARC21, LCSH, DDC, and RAD.
• Experience with library and archives management systems such as LibraryWorld, Atom or equivalent systems.
• Expertise in procuring and managing art books, archives and related materials including those that are digitally born.
• Experience in planning and developing new library and archive facilities.
• Experience in developing/ tracking budgets, grant writing and fundraising.
• Excellent communication, organizational and administrative skills including public relations and interpersonal abilities.
• Adept at managing multiple priorities.

SALARY: Salary will be based on experience

HOURS: (schedule) 40 hour work week – Excluded Role

Please note that only applicants with Canadian Citizenship, Permanent Residency or valid Work Permit will be considered.