Start Date: Monday, March 20th 2017
The Japan Foundation is an organization promoting cultural exchange between Japan and other countries in order to advance international mutual understanding. The Japan Foundation, Toronto is one of 24 overseas offices, offering programs grouped under three main areas: Japanese Language Education, Japanese Studies and Intellectual Exchange, and Arts and Cultural Exchange.
The public lending library has approximately 20,000 Japan related print and audio visual materials in its collection. This job posting is for a full-time Librarian position. The Librarian is responsible for the administration of a public lending library's day-to-day operations including circulation, reference services, acquisitions and reporting on library-related matters to the Directors of the Japan Foundation, Toronto and Headquarters in Tokyo.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Overseeing library operations including supervision of the library’s support staff
- Managing of annual budget for library resources, supplies and facilities
- Establishing, executing and maintaining library policies and procedures under the direction of the Directors
- Planning and organizing the various library programs and events within or in collaboration with other cultural organizations
- Acquisition of library materials and collection development
- Providing circulation and reference service at the circulation counter
- Checking cataloguing process and maintaining accurate bibliographic information
- Maintaining library’s procedural manual
- Overseeing the local integrated library computer system
- Dealing with vendors for library equipment and supplies
- Overseeing development and maintenance of the library pages of the Japan Foundation, Toronto’s website
- Maintaining and developing a network of Japanese Studies librarians across Canada, the USA and the Japan Foundation libraries in Japan and overseas offices
- Reporting information including library statistics to Headquarters
- Coordinating and supporting other divisions: Arts & Culture, Japanese Studies and Intellectual Exchange, and Japanese Language Education programs
- Other tasks as required by the Directors
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- MLS degree with ALA accreditation or BA with Library Technician’s diploma
- Minimum of 2 years of working experience as a librarian
- Must be fluent in spoken and written Japanese and English
- Knowledge of AACR2, LCSH, OCLC and MARC format and cataloguing of Japanese materials
- Wide knowledge of traditional and contemporary Japanese culture, art, literature, history and book publishing
- Familiarity with computer integrated library systems
- Proficiency in MS office with both English and Japanese word processing
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
- Strong leadership skills together with ability to work as a team
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
- Library Management experience
- Strong knowledge of website management and social media
- Degree in Japanese Studies
- Knowledge of French language
- Legal status to work in Canada
- Please note that the work schedule for this position will involve evenings and/or weekends.
EMPLOYER INFORMATION
The Japan Foundation established a Toronto Office in November 1990, and its status was upgraded to that of a Cultural Centre in April 1995. To accommodate the expanded operations, a facility was established in the Colonnade at 131 Bloor Street West. As of September 1, 2015, the Japan Foundation, Toronto moved to 2 Bloor Street East at the intersection of Yonge and Bloor. The Japan Foundation, Toronto comprises a library, a seminar room and an event hall, which functions as an exhibition space or auditorium. Events, such as art exhibitions, film screenings and lectures, are presented year round. The Japan Foundation, Toronto activities cover not only activities held in our centre but those inside Toronto and all across Canada. A large portion of The Japan Foundation, Toronto activities also involve the administration of its grant programs. For more information, visit our website: www.jftor.org
APPLICATION PROCESS
Interested applicants are asked to submit their resume, cover letter and three references to jmantell@jftor.org by 12-midnight, December 11th 2016. Please quote “Librarian” in the subject heading of your email. We thank all applicants for their kind interest. However, only those who are selected for an interview will be contacted.
