About

• Title: Community & Programming Librarian
• Department: Customer Experience
• Reports to: Customer Experience Manager & Manager, Programming & Partnerships
• Classification: Permanent Full Time
• Hours per Week: 35 hours
• Salary Range: $80,055.48 - $94,182.91 + benefits
• Posted: August 5, 2025
• Closes: August 19, 2025, at 4 PM Eastern

• About the Library

• Everyone at Burlington Public Library, no matter what your role, works together for the betterment of the people, the community, and the organization we serve.

• We bring our best selves to work, delight in helping others, and have an abiding passion for service excellence. Each of us excels in the personal qualities and skills that are essential to our work and the BPL Team.

• Qualifications

Education

• Master’s Degree in Library Science or Information Science or equivalent from an ALA accredited faculty of Library / Information Science
• Courses in Program facilitation and execution an asset

Experience

• Minimum of 1 to 3 years related public library experience
• Experience in program facilitation and execution an asset
• High Five Principles of Healthy Child Development / Principles of Healthy Aging an asset

Overall Purpose

• This position builds relationships with community members, and integrates Library services, resources, programs, and initiatives to make a positive impact while advancing the Library’s strategic priorities. In alignment with BPL’s programming strategy, under the guidance of the Manager of Programming & Partnerships, responsible for the development, delivery and coordination of programming, community outreach and engagement activities. Models’ exceptional information and readers services in-branch and online. Librarian has a strong emphasis on building and maintaining relationships with community partners that are responsive to the needs and aspirations of the community with a wide range of groups within their assigned portfolio.

Key Accountabilities

• Model BPL’s values in every interaction.
• Provide remarkable customer service in person, by phone, and online in an efficient and effective manner.
• Anticipate customer needs and look for opportunities to create optimal customer experiences.
• Assist in the development and delivery of staff training in core competencies for programming, outreach, readers services, technical skills, and information services.
• Responsible for the research, development, planning, implementation, and evaluation of emerging library programs, technologies, and services.
• Seeks opportunities, establishes and maintains transformative partnerships within the community in alignment with the Library’s strategic plan.
• Coordinates, develops, and delivers BPL programs, outreach, and events in collaboration with the Programming team and Manager, Programming and Partnerships.
• Guides the creation of programming tools for implementation across all locations.
• With direction from the Marketing team, identifies the profile of branch community neighborhoods to develop and deliver library related services that best address them.
• Advocate the Library’s role within the community through individual, group settings, meetings, and programs.
• Evaluates the effectiveness of services, programs, partnerships and recommends changes.
• Acts as Project Manager or team member on project teams, using project management principles and tools to enhance library programs and service
• Encourage, use, promotes and instructs technology as a routine part of work, including recommending, assisting and trouble-shooting customers in the use of library technology and online collections.
• Provides readers advisory services and research support in-person, by telephone, through email, and chat.
• Provide content for BPL website and social media as required.
• Act as Person In Charge as required in the absence of the Branch Manager
• Awareness of WHMIS and appropriate health and safety practices for the workplace.
• Perform additional position-related accountabilities assigned by management.

Key Business Relationships

• Internal: Team members in Branch, Programming, and Portfolios, Manager, Programming and Partnerships, Management Group, SMT

• External: Customers, Community and City Partners

• Scope: Budget: No budget responsibility. Purchasing authority up to $1500

• Direct and Indirect Reports: Indirect reports include Programmers and Customer & Programming Associates regarding development, delivery, training, and scheduling of programming. No direct reports.

• Key Competencies: Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Behavioural

• Excellent customer service is critical and must include collaboration and teamwork skills and strong interpersonal communication (verbal, written and presentation).
• Exemplify BPL’s values during all interactions and communications.
• Communicate in a professional manner which is consistent and aligned with BPL’s voice and values.
• Customer-first orientation and centricity.
• Collaborative and solution-focused approach to innovative problem solving and teamwork.
• Passionate about continual learning, professional development, creativity, and analytical thinking.
• Promote and celebrate diversity and inclusion in BPL’s collections, programs, and services.
• Comfortable engaging in conversation with customers and staff about the scope of BPL’s collections to inspire a love of reading and learning.
• Comfortable facilitating group discussion and guiding group discourse.
• Resilience and adaptability with the ability to think quickly and resolve issues.
• Strong public speaking skills, with comfort preparing a presentation and discussing Library services in large groups, both in person and virtually.

Leadership

• Lead and collaborate with team members in a productive manner.
• Action-oriented and persevere to address and solve customer queries, ensuring positive customer experiences.
• Maintain knowledge of current events and publishing trends.
• Committed to ongoing learning in an ever-changing environment.
• Provide programming-based leadership to colleagues, where required.

Technical

• Knowledge of BPL organization such as vision, mission, values and strategic plan.
• Knowledge and application of policies, processes, procedures, and systems within BPL.
• Knowledge of library Customer Experience Philosophy and Customer Experience Standards.
• Demonstrated ability to identify the resources to address customer/community needs and integrate these sources/resources into the solution or recommendation re the customer/community.
• Support and instruct customers in accessing and evaluating information resources and in use of technology and development of digital literacy skills.
• Excellent time management skills with demonstrated ability to set goals, manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
• Strong writing skills with the ability to confidently develop, prepare, present, and evaluate library programs, service, and community outreach activities.
• Excellent customer service skills and the ability to work with a diverse group of people.
• Demonstrated critical thinking skills to guide and support the customer experience at all points of contact including de-escalation techniques.
• Strong knowledge of traditional and digital literacy and technology.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office 365: Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams
• Proficiency with Integrated Library System and associated library tools and applications: library catalogue, online databases, and e-resources.
• Ability to use programming technology including knowledge of online booking and events software (Communico or comparable technology), virtual program platforms and AV and basic IT knowledge for events.

• Work Environment
• Some work is completed in office space, moderate level of computer and phone use.
• Most work is completed in public library spaces while customers are present, with little exposure to noise, dirt, or external elements.
• Some events are held offsite.
• Ability to travel between Library branches and event venues required.
• Some work may be able to be completed remotely.

• Working Hours
• BPL is a 7 days per week service and schedules include regular evenings and weekends.

• Physical Effort
• Normal physical activity such as periodic standing, walking, sitting, and the use of basic motor skills.
• Some continuous physical exertion required such as moving, changing, and setting up for programs or community spaces; shelving, shifting, packing and unpacking boxes.

• Mental Effort
• Moderate visual concentration while performing routine tasks requiring accuracy and attention to detail on a computer.
• Maintaining a positive, professional, and diplomatic demeanor at all times
• Moderate focus while sorting, shelving and maintaining collections.
• Moderate stress for tight timelines, competing priorities and people/relationship management.
• Providing service and feedback to multiple people simultaneously.

• Working with us

• As an employer, we have high expectations of the people we hire, and we are genuinely invested in the well-being, development, and work success of all employees.

• Earnings for paid employees include a competitive salary, comprehensive benefits, development opportunities, generous vacation privileges, flexible work arrangements, compelling rewards and recognition, and retirement security.

• Burlington Public Library is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating a respectful, inclusive, and diverse workplace where everyone feels valued and supported. If you require an accommodation for the recruitment/interview process, please let us know and we will work with you to meet your needs. Please contact Human Resources at hr@bpl.on.ca.
• If you have a disability that makes it difficult to apply using the online form, please call us at 905-639-3611 Ext. 1154.
• We thank all applicants in advance and advise that we will contact only those selected for an interview.

• Personal information on your résumé is collected under the authority of the Public Libraries Act, R.S.O. 1990 and will be used to determine eligibility for employment.