Books & Audiobooks
A staff person stands in the Gamerspace at the Eastside Branch smiling at the camera
Why Work at WPL?
Embark on a rewarding journey with these compelling benefits – discover why working at WPL goes beyond a job, offering a fulfilling experience that positively impacts both you and the community we serve.
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Collaborative and supportive teams -
OMERS pension with employer contributions -
Support for professional development -
Your birthday off with pay -
Casual dress code
Our Vision,
Mission & Values
Our Vision
We envision a thriving community that is multi-literate, engaged and welcoming to all.
Our Mission
We provide equitable access to lifelong learning and contribute to the wellbeing of all.
Our Values
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Trust
We are a trusted community resource for diverse information and perspectives where the needs and privacy of all are respected. -
Equity
We prioritize equity, access and inclusion in everything we do. -
Joy of Discovery
We spark and sustain a culture of creativity, innovation and self-expression. -
Future Readiness
We support our community to address today's needs and tomorrow's potential. -
Compassion
We embrace the humanity in everyone and treat all with respect.
Shelver putting books through the sorter at the John M. Harper Branch
Close up of the mural at the John M. Harper Branch
Statement on Race and Social Equity
As leaders of North America’s public libraries, we are committed to achieving racial and social equity by contributing to a more just society in which all community members can realize their full potential. Our libraries can help achieve true and sustained equity through an intentional, systemic and transformative library-community partnership. Our library systems are working to achieve equity in the communities we serve by:
- Eliminating racial and social equity barriers in library programs, services, policies and practices
- Creating and maintaining an environment of diversity, inclusion and respect both in our library systems and in all aspects of our community role
- Ensuring that we are reaching and engaging disenfranchised people in the community and helping them express their voice
- Serving as a convener and facilitator of conversations and partnerships to address community challenges
- Being forthright on tough issues that are important to our communities
Libraries are trusted, venerable and enduring institutions, central to their communities and an essential participant in the movement for racial and social equity.
Originally endorsed by the Canadian Urban Libraries Council
Download the Statement in English & French
Job Postings
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Librarian, Lifelong Learning
Librarian, Lifelong Learning
Main Library / Full-Time 14-Month Contract / 35 hours per week
Are you passionate about empowering staff and customers through learning and access to information? As a Librarian, Lifelong Learning, you’ll lead system-wide training initiatives, support the implementation of engaging online resources, and drive innovative library services that connect people with knowledge. You’ll collaborate across teams to bring lifelong learning strategies to life, all while delivering exceptional customer service and staying on the pulse of emerging technologies. Sound like you?
What You’ll Do:
- Coordinate and deliver engaging system-wide training for staff, and create accessible learning tools and online tutorials to support customer use of library resources.
- Provide leadership to Lifelong Learning team by guiding research, resource development, training efforts and other initiatives.
- Work closely with branch supervisors to support the implementation of Lifelong Learning strategies across locations.
- Promote and monitor the library’s online resources collection and conduct research and data analysis to inform system-wide decision-making.
- Deliver excellent reference and readers’ advisory service to customers and serve as Person in Charge (PIC) as scheduled.
What We’re Looking For:
- Master’s degree in Library and Information Science and a minimum of 2 years’ experience in a public library setting, with strengths in reference services, readers’ advisory, and staff training.
- Strong knowledge of reference philosophy and the ability to evaluate and recommend quality information resources.
- Technologically proficient with an interest in emerging tools and trends in library services.
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities, solve problems thoughtfully, and adapt to change in a dynamic environment.
- Committed to equity-based service delivery and skilled in building strong relationships through excellent communication and customer service.
- Frequent travel to the various locations of WPL is required therefore a driver’s license and access to a vehicle is required.
Schedule
The regular schedule will be Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Wednesdays 1:00 – 9:00 p.m., alternating Fridays and Saturdays 9:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Wednesday evening shifts will be scheduled at the John M. Harper Branch. Schedules are subject to change. The ability to work at any library location is required.
Salary/Wage/Benefits
The starting wage is $38.60 per hour (level F).
Full-time contract staff are entitled to paid sick time, personal time and appointment time. Voluntary enrolment in OMERS pension offered. WPL offers a casual work environment, support for professional development and your birthday off with pay!
How to Apply
To apply, please submit your cover letter and resume by May 16, 2025 at 4:00 p.m. using the online form.
Apply Now -
Supervisor, Main Library
Supervisor, Main Library
Main Library / Full-Time Permanent / 35 hours per week
We are seeking an enthusiastic and experienced library professional to oversee front-line services as the Supervisor, Main Library. In this role, you’ll lead a dedicated team at the Main Library to ensure exceptional customer service delivery and help shape the evolving library experience through continuous improvement, training, and community engagement. Someone who is passionate about libraries, dedicated to providing meaningful customer interactions and ready to take on the next step in their leadership journey. Does this sound like you?
What You’ll Do:
- Lead and support a team of Library Assistants including hiring, training, supervision, scheduling, and performance management.
- Ensure high-quality customer service by resolving escalated customer issues and maintaining effective communication with staff.
- Coordinate operational needs of the physical space, including displays, accessibility, furniture planning, and technology implementation.
- Provide system-wide staff training on library management system (Sierra).
- Work to maintain positive relationships within the neighbouring community to promote library supports and services.
- Serve as Person in Charge (PIC) at the Main Library.
What We’re Looking For:
- Minimum 2-year college diploma plus 2 years of practical working experience in a library. Library-specific education is an asset.
- Minimum 3 years of people supervisory experience, including task delegation, performance coaching and providing feedback.
- Previous scheduling experience is an asset. Strong attention to detail is required and essential for ensuring a high level of accuracy on all scheduling tasks.
- Proven excellence in communication, customer service, problem-solving, and conflict resolution.
- Strong organizational, critical thinking, and decision-making skills with the flexibility to manage multiple priorities. Ability to make sound judgement in unexpected situations.
- Proficiency with emerging technology tools and ability to quickly adapt to new technology.
Schedule
The regular schedule will be Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Tuesdays 1:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., alternating Fridays and Saturdays 9:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Schedules are subject to change. The ability to work at any library location is required.
Salary/Wage/Benefits
The starting wage is $70,252 per year (level F).
Group benefits and OMERS pension are provided. Full-time permanent staff are entitled to paid vacation time, sick time, personal time and appointment time. WPL offers a casual work environment, support for professional development and your birthday off with pay!
How to Apply
To apply, please submit your cover letter and resume by May 12, 2025 at 4:00 p.m. using the online form.
Apply Now -
Library Assistant, McCormick Branch
Library Assistant
McCormick Branch / Part-Time Permanent / 16 hours per week
We’re searching for an individual who simply loves the pursuit of information with the ability to connect with anyone from our littlest to our most experienced customers. The McCormick branch is our smallest location but with a big community focus. Library Assistants all across WPL work hands-on providing exceptional customer service to a diverse community.
What You’ll Do
- Provide excellent and proactive reference, reader’s advisory and circulation services for customers of all ages.
- Conduct skilled reference interviews to assist customers in finding the information they need.
- Advocate technology in the library. Assist and educate customers on our current and emerging technology offerings.
- Promote WPL and its services.
What We’re Looking For
- Outstanding customer service skills whether out on the floor or behind the desk. Contributes to a positive and welcoming atmosphere.
- Adaptable with a willing, can-do attitude. Places high value on team work.
- Excellent technology literacy skills with the ability to explain and instruct these concepts.
- Post-secondary diploma/degree plus at least 1 year of related experience.
Schedule
The regular schedule will be Tuesdays 2:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., Thursdays 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., alternating Fridays 1:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., alternating Saturdays 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Schedules are subject to change. The ability to work at any library location and flexibility to pick up additional shifts where needed is required.
Salary/Wage/Benefits
The starting wage is $28.50 per hour (level D)
Optional OMERS pension provided. WPL offers a casual work environment, support for professional development and your birthday off with pay!
How to Apply
To apply, please submit your cover letter and resume by May 21, 2025 at 4:00 p.m. by using the online application form.
Apply Now
Waterloo Public Library welcomes applications from diverse backgrounds including Indigenous persons, Black persons, persons of colour, persons with disabilities, LGBTQ2S+ persons and others that will contribute to the broadening of our ideas and experiences.
Waterloo Public Library accommodates individual needs in accordance with the Accessibility of Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA), within our recruitment process. If you require accommodation at any time throughout the recruitment process please contact Human Resources by phone 519-886-1310, TTY 1-866-786-3941, or email jobs@wpl.ca.
Job Application Form
Interested in applying for one of the current job openings at Waterloo Public Library? Complete the form below to apply.