Librarian - Chinese Collection Development 

Position Summary

Responsible for conducting a comprehensive assessment of RHPL’s Chinese collection, identifying materials for weeding, and providing recommendations for expanding and improving the collection.

Join our team at Richmond Hill Public Library as we work to better serve our large and vibrant Chinese-speaking community! We are seeking a dedicated and detail-oriented Librarian to lead a comprehensive assessment of our Chinese language collection. In this role, you’ll have the opportunity to shape the future of our collection by identifying gaps, recommending new resources, and ensuring our materials reflect the needs and interests of the community. If you're passionate about community engagement and enhancing library services, we encourage you to apply for this vital position!

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Collection Assessment: 

• Analyze the current Chinese collection to determine its relevance, accuracy, and community alignment.
• Evaluating current vendors and the automated release plan (ARP), including making suggestions for changes to the ARP, providing feedback to vendors, and identifying gaps in the collection that could be addressed by other vendors. 
• Research and recommend new books, digital resources, and multimedia materials that reflect the community's needs and cultural diversity.
• Identify outdated, underused, or irrelevant materials to weed from the collection.
• Compile findings and recommendations into a comprehensive report, detailing strategies for enhancing the Chinese collection.

Community Engagement: 

• Engage with local Chinese-speaking community members and organizations to understand their needs and preferences.
• Evaluate the customer experience when accessing the physical collection without using the library catalogue: signage, shelving, location, considering how to provide an excellent customer experience for someone visiting a branch location and looking for Chinese language materials

Collaboration: 

• Work closely with other librarians, library staff, and external partners to ensure the collection's development aligns with the library's overall strategy.

Duties and Responsibilities Cont'd (if applicable)

Education and Experience

• Master of Library/Information Science Degree from an ALA accredited or equivalent program 
• A minimum of 2 years of recent/relevant experience 

Required Skills/Knowledge

• Proficient oral and written communication skills in Chinese and English
• Ability to complete research and develop various programs and activities
• Ability to complete analysis, track and interpret data trends and develop instructional materials ∙ Working knowledge of collection management software 
• Demonstrated ability to plan 
• Demonstrated understanding of public libraries and associated programs and services
• Ability to work effectively and collaboratively in a team environment 
• Demonstrated leadership skills 
• Commitment to excellent customer service 
• Ability to think creatively and engage in non-standard thinking 
• Ability to work flexible hours  
• Demonstrated ability to provide superior information services  
• Facilitation skills to support the development and/or leading of workshops, support  brainstorming and other idea creation activities
• Knowledge of collection development practices and tools, publishing industry, library materials, electronic products, resources, and trends
• Understands the principle of intellectual freedom and has the ability to apply, interpret, and explain it
   

Richmond Hill Public Library Values