Librarian - Research and Academics

Position Summary

Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences is looking for a permanent full-time Librarian to support its Research and Academics function in Whitby, Ontario. Reporting to the Director of Research and Academics, this role is responsible for running a comprehensive clinical reference library that serves a diverse mix of professional, management, and academic users. The librarian will contribute to evidence-based practice in patient care, health education, and clinical research by delivering advanced reference support, performing detailed literature searches, creating and leading research and critical appraisal workshops, and maintaining current awareness services.

This position also supports health information literacy, research activity, and promotion of library services and collections for staff, affiliated physicians, residents, students, patients, and caregivers.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver reference assistance by clarifying user needs and determining the depth and scope of information required by staff and students.
• Carry out advanced literature searches and refine, analyze, synthesize, and edit findings to meet client requirements.
• Provide consultation support for knowledge synthesis work.
• Build and maintain a database that tracks copyright details for scales and instruments.
• Promote library resources and services to internal clients and staff through marketing and outreach.
• Contribute to planning activities, collection development, special initiatives, and continuous improvement projects.
• Use the integrated library system to circulate materials and manage borrower records.
• Process interlibrary loan requests, including transactions completed through DOCLINE.
• Perform core cataloguing work in line with National Library of Medicine and Library of Congress standards.
• Advise on library budgeting and subscription renewals.
• Compile statistical reports on library usage and service activity.
• Design and deliver training sessions that strengthen research and information literacy skills, and create online learning materials and tools.
• Take part in hospital committees and councils.
• Work with departments on acquiring and renewing electronic and print subscriptions and information resources.
• Keep up to date on new literature and research in mental health, applied mental health, recovery, and trends in health sciences librarianship.
• Stay current with methodological developments in literature searching and knowledge synthesis, including systematic and rapid reviews.
• Support patient use of the library, including help with computers and printers.
• Supervise library volunteers.
• Manage and oversee publication of the open access Journal of Recovery in Mental Health, ensuring timelines are met, communication remains prompt with editors, authors, and reviewers, and final articles are produced and formatted to a high standard from submission through publication.
• Support the organization’s learning management system by troubleshooting user accounts, carrying out maintenance, coordinating with IT on system issues, administering the platform, and working with the LMS vendor on upkeep and fixes.
• Handle additional duties as required.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in library and information science from an accredited institution.
• Background working in a health sciences library.
• Experience conducting systematic literature searches.
• Strong working knowledge of biomedical databases such as PsycINFO, Medline, and other electronic health information tools.
• Advanced computer ability and hands-on experience with DOCLINE.
• Initiative, accountability, creativity, and strong writing, speaking, and presentation skills.
• Engaging and motivating interpersonal style.
• Strong time management, planning, organization, and prioritization skills.
• Understanding of intellectual property, copyright, and other applicable legislation.
• Clear commitment to ongoing professional learning and skill development.
• Excellent problem-solving ability.
• Strong customer service skills.
• Reliable attendance history and the ability to maintain that standard.
• Ability to meet the physical demands of the job.
• Experience using a variety of online platforms, systems, and databases.
• Experience providing administrative oversight for online platforms, systems, databases, and related workflows.

Additional Information

This role is part of the OPSEU bargaining unit. The posting closes on July 21, 2026, and applications received after that date will not be considered. There is 1 vacancy, and the role is replacing an existing vacancy. The wage table is referenced through the OPSEU bargaining unit information.