Manager, Special Collections Operations
About the role
Job Number:
J0326-0279
Posting Date:
April 17, 2026
Closing Date:
May 11, 2026
Job Title:
Manager, Special Collections Operations
Branch/Department:
Toronto Reference Library
Division:
Service Development & Innovation
Employment Type:
Permanent Full Time
Status:
Full-Time
# of Open Positions:
1
New vacancy:
No
The Organization:
Toronto Public Library is North America’s largest and busiest public library system, welcoming over 46 million annual visits across 100 branches and vibrant digital platforms. As a cornerstone of civic life in one of the world’s most diverse cities, TPL empowers Torontonians by providing equitable access to information, technology, public spaces, and lifelong learning opportunities.
Our mission is to deliver free, equitable access to services that evolve with the needs of our dynamic community. We preserve and promote universal access to the breadth of human knowledge, ideas, and experiences in a welcoming, supportive environment. Our vision is to be recognized as the world’s leading library—informing and inspiring Toronto and its communities to be more resilient, knowledgeable, connected, and successful.
Toronto Public Library’s prestigious Special Collections include the Baldwin Collection of Canadiana; Special Collections in the Visual and Performing Arts; the Chinese Canadian Archive; the Osborne Collection of Early Children’s’ Books; the Merril Collection of Science Fiction, Speculation and Fantasy; and the Arthur Conan Doyle Collection. The department also provides oversight and coordination for TPL’s corporate history, local history, and public art programs. These collections form the basis for the Library’s active and multifaceted digitization program, preservation services, and the exhibition program in the Library’s TD Gallery. With physical and virtual exhibitions, strategic partnerships and large-scale digitization, the Special Collections support the Library’s vision to create outstanding collections and services supported by a robust suite of programs, collection animation, and community engagement.
The Opportunity:
Reporting to the Senior Manager, Special Collections, and working collaboratively with the department’s management team, the successful candidate will manage the daily operations and public service delivery for Special Collections in two locations (Toronto Reference Library and Lillian H. Smith Branch). The successful candidate is also responsible for service and collection development, and collections management oversight, for the department’s unique heritage and literary research collections, comprising rare books, manuscripts, art and archival materials. The successful candidate will lead a team of approximately 35 staff, which include two department heads, professional librarians and archivists, and support staff, who operate the department’s public service points across the Library’s full open hours. The successful candidate will oversee staff and service points in the department, develop and monitor annual goals, work plans and budgets, develop and deliver innovative programs and other community engagement strategies for the Library’s Special Collections, effectively communicate with internal and external stakeholders, and lead service development and delivery for Special Collections in their area of responsibility.
Major Responsibilities:
- Manages the daily operations and public service delivery of the Special Collections Department, with responsibility for service points and public service staff.
- Under the direction of the Senior Manager, oversees collection development and management functions for the unique library research and archival collections in the portfolio, supporting physical and digital access to these materials.
- Plans, implements and evaluates programs and services to ensure that they meet customer needs, are cost-effective, and are in accordance with the organization’s policies and strategic agenda.
- Plans, implements and evaluates engagement strategies to promote interaction, collaboration and user-contributed content.
- Ensures the achievement of goals and objectives for the area of responsibility.
- Effectively communicates policies, programs and services to internal and external stakeholders.
- Builds partnerships and professional relationships within the Toronto Public Library, the City of Toronto, other cultural and heritage agencies and community organizations to deliver service that is proactive, and responsive to customer needs.
- Under direction of the Senior Manager, supports and maintains fund-raising programs and initiatives.
- Assume responsibility for the department or area in the absence of the Senior Manager.
- Manages training, development and supervision of all levels of staff in the area of responsibility.
- Hires new staff, transfers, promotes, approves wage increases and confirms performance evaluations.
- Disciplines, terminates, participates in grievance procedures and administers collective agreement as required.
- Lead service development and delivery in their area of responsibility.
- Ensures safe and welcoming facilities and environments.
The Candidate:
The successful candidate will have expertise with specialized library research and archival collections, including familiarity with recognized standards and best practice for collections management, care and handling, digitization, storage and access considerations. The successful candidate will also have demonstrated experience managing teams of information professionals and service delivery functions. Other qualifications include:
- Post graduate university degree in library, archival or information science from an accredited program, or a recognized professional equivalent
- Experience in managing a team of professional and support staff, preferably in a public library or unionized environment
- Knowledge of developments in library and archives fields and relevant legislation
- Demonstrated ability to establish effective working relationships and collaborative work approaches
- Committed to providing efficient, responsive and innovative service to clients
- Demonstrated capacity for problem-solving, results orientation and creativity
- Highly developed oral and written communication skills
- Superior facilitation and interpersonal skills
- Proven ability in change leadership
REPORTING TO: Senior Manager, Special Collections
SALARY RANGE: $103,431-$141,247 per annum (2025 Rates, Wage Grade 7)
LOCATION: Toronto Reference Library - 789 Yonge Street, Toronto, ON M4W 2G8
HOW TO APPLY: Please Apply Directly at: https://www.nafor.com/tpl
APPLICATION DEADLINE: Monday, May 11th, 2026 at 4:00pm ET.
APPLICATION PROCESS: Candidates are encouraged to apply at their earliest convenience. Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis and initial interviews may begin before the application deadline is reached. All candidates who apply by the deadline will be considered equally.
Toronto Public Library (TPL) invites applications from all qualified individuals. The Library is committed to equal opportunity, diversity in the workplace, equity and reconciliation, and welcomes applications from Indigenous people, Black and racialized groups, people with disabilities, 2SLGBTQ+ people and women.
All applicants must be legally entitled to work in Canada. Toronto Public Library (TPL) will be using email to communicate with you for all job competitions. It is your responsibility to include an updated email address that is checked daily. As we send time sensitive correspondence, we recommend that you check your email regularly. If no response is received, we will assume you are no longer interested in pursuing the opportunity. Please be advised that a Criminal Record Check may be required of the successful candidate. Should it be determined that any background information provided be misleading, inaccurate or incorrect, Toronto Public Library (TPL) reserves the right to discontinue with the consideration of your application. Upon request, accommodation will be provided for persons with disabilities through all stages of the recruitment and selection process.
Upon request, accommodation will be provided for persons with disabilities through all stages of the recruitment and selection process.
Not the right fit? Search for Manager, Special Collections Operations jobs in Toronto, ON
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Manager, Special Collections Operations
About the role
Job Number:
J0326-0279
Posting Date:
April 17, 2026
Closing Date:
May 11, 2026
Job Title:
Manager, Special Collections Operations
Branch/Department:
Toronto Reference Library
Division:
Service Development & Innovation
Employment Type:
Permanent Full Time
Status:
Full-Time
# of Open Positions:
1
New vacancy:
No
The Organization:
Toronto Public Library is North America’s largest and busiest public library system, welcoming over 46 million annual visits across 100 branches and vibrant digital platforms. As a cornerstone of civic life in one of the world’s most diverse cities, TPL empowers Torontonians by providing equitable access to information, technology, public spaces, and lifelong learning opportunities.
Our mission is to deliver free, equitable access to services that evolve with the needs of our dynamic community. We preserve and promote universal access to the breadth of human knowledge, ideas, and experiences in a welcoming, supportive environment. Our vision is to be recognized as the world’s leading library—informing and inspiring Toronto and its communities to be more resilient, knowledgeable, connected, and successful.
Toronto Public Library’s prestigious Special Collections include the Baldwin Collection of Canadiana; Special Collections in the Visual and Performing Arts; the Chinese Canadian Archive; the Osborne Collection of Early Children’s’ Books; the Merril Collection of Science Fiction, Speculation and Fantasy; and the Arthur Conan Doyle Collection. The department also provides oversight and coordination for TPL’s corporate history, local history, and public art programs. These collections form the basis for the Library’s active and multifaceted digitization program, preservation services, and the exhibition program in the Library’s TD Gallery. With physical and virtual exhibitions, strategic partnerships and large-scale digitization, the Special Collections support the Library’s vision to create outstanding collections and services supported by a robust suite of programs, collection animation, and community engagement.
The Opportunity:
Reporting to the Senior Manager, Special Collections, and working collaboratively with the department’s management team, the successful candidate will manage the daily operations and public service delivery for Special Collections in two locations (Toronto Reference Library and Lillian H. Smith Branch). The successful candidate is also responsible for service and collection development, and collections management oversight, for the department’s unique heritage and literary research collections, comprising rare books, manuscripts, art and archival materials. The successful candidate will lead a team of approximately 35 staff, which include two department heads, professional librarians and archivists, and support staff, who operate the department’s public service points across the Library’s full open hours. The successful candidate will oversee staff and service points in the department, develop and monitor annual goals, work plans and budgets, develop and deliver innovative programs and other community engagement strategies for the Library’s Special Collections, effectively communicate with internal and external stakeholders, and lead service development and delivery for Special Collections in their area of responsibility.
Major Responsibilities:
- Manages the daily operations and public service delivery of the Special Collections Department, with responsibility for service points and public service staff.
- Under the direction of the Senior Manager, oversees collection development and management functions for the unique library research and archival collections in the portfolio, supporting physical and digital access to these materials.
- Plans, implements and evaluates programs and services to ensure that they meet customer needs, are cost-effective, and are in accordance with the organization’s policies and strategic agenda.
- Plans, implements and evaluates engagement strategies to promote interaction, collaboration and user-contributed content.
- Ensures the achievement of goals and objectives for the area of responsibility.
- Effectively communicates policies, programs and services to internal and external stakeholders.
- Builds partnerships and professional relationships within the Toronto Public Library, the City of Toronto, other cultural and heritage agencies and community organizations to deliver service that is proactive, and responsive to customer needs.
- Under direction of the Senior Manager, supports and maintains fund-raising programs and initiatives.
- Assume responsibility for the department or area in the absence of the Senior Manager.
- Manages training, development and supervision of all levels of staff in the area of responsibility.
- Hires new staff, transfers, promotes, approves wage increases and confirms performance evaluations.
- Disciplines, terminates, participates in grievance procedures and administers collective agreement as required.
- Lead service development and delivery in their area of responsibility.
- Ensures safe and welcoming facilities and environments.
The Candidate:
The successful candidate will have expertise with specialized library research and archival collections, including familiarity with recognized standards and best practice for collections management, care and handling, digitization, storage and access considerations. The successful candidate will also have demonstrated experience managing teams of information professionals and service delivery functions. Other qualifications include:
- Post graduate university degree in library, archival or information science from an accredited program, or a recognized professional equivalent
- Experience in managing a team of professional and support staff, preferably in a public library or unionized environment
- Knowledge of developments in library and archives fields and relevant legislation
- Demonstrated ability to establish effective working relationships and collaborative work approaches
- Committed to providing efficient, responsive and innovative service to clients
- Demonstrated capacity for problem-solving, results orientation and creativity
- Highly developed oral and written communication skills
- Superior facilitation and interpersonal skills
- Proven ability in change leadership
REPORTING TO: Senior Manager, Special Collections
SALARY RANGE: $103,431-$141,247 per annum (2025 Rates, Wage Grade 7)
LOCATION: Toronto Reference Library - 789 Yonge Street, Toronto, ON M4W 2G8
HOW TO APPLY: Please Apply Directly at: https://www.nafor.com/tpl
APPLICATION DEADLINE: Monday, May 11th, 2026 at 4:00pm ET.
APPLICATION PROCESS: Candidates are encouraged to apply at their earliest convenience. Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis and initial interviews may begin before the application deadline is reached. All candidates who apply by the deadline will be considered equally.
Toronto Public Library (TPL) invites applications from all qualified individuals. The Library is committed to equal opportunity, diversity in the workplace, equity and reconciliation, and welcomes applications from Indigenous people, Black and racialized groups, people with disabilities, 2SLGBTQ+ people and women.
All applicants must be legally entitled to work in Canada. Toronto Public Library (TPL) will be using email to communicate with you for all job competitions. It is your responsibility to include an updated email address that is checked daily. As we send time sensitive correspondence, we recommend that you check your email regularly. If no response is received, we will assume you are no longer interested in pursuing the opportunity. Please be advised that a Criminal Record Check may be required of the successful candidate. Should it be determined that any background information provided be misleading, inaccurate or incorrect, Toronto Public Library (TPL) reserves the right to discontinue with the consideration of your application. Upon request, accommodation will be provided for persons with disabilities through all stages of the recruitment and selection process.
Upon request, accommodation will be provided for persons with disabilities through all stages of the recruitment and selection process.
Not the right fit? Search for Manager, Special Collections Operations jobs in Toronto, ON