Indigenous Student Librarian program

Call for applicants

The call for applicants for the Indigenous student librarian is now open.

About

Concordia University is located on unceded Indigenous lands. Tiohtià:ke/Montreal, on the traditional lands and waters of the Kanien’kehá:ka Nation, is historically known as a gathering place for many First Nations. Today it is home to a diverse population of Indigenous and other peoples. We respect the continued connections with the past, present and future in our ongoing relationships with Indigenous and other peoples within the Montreal community.

The Indigenous Student Librarian Program offers the opportunity for an Indigenous student to work part-time as a student librarian at Concordia Library while pursuing a master’s degree in information studies at either McGill University or Université de Montréal. This initiative, led by Concordia University Library, is a partnership between three universities: Concordia, McGill University, and Université de Montréal.

Concordia Library is part of one of Canada’s most dynamic universities in one of North America’s most livable cities. It reflects a unique blend of commitments to diversity, accessibility, social responsibility, and innovation. With over 48,000 students (7,300 international) and 2,250 full-time and part-time professors, Concordia is recognized for offering a rich academic experience combined with strong community engagement. McGill University has a reputation for excellence that reaches around the globe, and its School of Information Studies is the pioneer school of its kind in Canada, offering programs at McGill University in Montreal since 1897. The Université de Montréal is one of the world’s leading research universities, as shown by its excellent standings in international rankings. L’Ecole de bibliothéconomie et sciences de l’information offers a cutting-edge program delivered by renowned professors. The close proximity of the three institutions in the city of Montreal creates an opportunity for this collaboration.

At Concordia Library, a team of 110 librarians, professionals, and staff put student and faculty success at the centre of their practice and collaborate to support teaching and research at Concordia.

Since 2016, Concordia University’s Indigenous Directions Leadership Council provides oversight and guides the implementation of the Indigenous Directions Action Plan. The Plan was created in part to respond to the Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. The Indigenous Student Librarian program was launched in 2017 as one of several Library initiatives in the original Action Plan.

Objectives of the Indigenous Student Librarian program:

• To support a First Nations, Métis, or Inuit student in obtaining a master’s degree in the field of library and information studies while working at the Concordia Library.
• To foster a culture of diversity and inclusion among members of the library team.
• To offer the opportunity for an Indigenous person to contribute to the Library and to the wider Concordia community.
• To provide the student with a wide exposure to the range of activities in an academic library setting.
• To allow the student the opportunity to develop experience in areas of interest to begin a successful career in academic librarianship.

The program is two years in length. It is expected that the Indigenous student librarian will complete their master’s degree within that time. The student will work alongside other librarians and library staff in various parts of the Library.

Features of the two-year program include:

• A part-time paid position in the Concordia University Library (Webster Library or Vanier Library). The position entails a guarantee of 10 hours of work per week from September to April each academic year and 30 hours per week from May to August for one summer between years in the program. The hourly rate of pay is $22.85.
• Master’s degree tuition (not covered by other sources) waived at either McGill University or Université de Montréal.
• Supervision and mentorship by professional librarians.
• Access to all support services for Indigenous students at either McGill University or Université de Montréal.
• Support from the Otsenhákta Student Centre at Concordia University.
• Virtual participation in a conference / in-depth training opportunity.

Eligibility

The program is open to students with Canadian citizenship. Applicants must be accepted into the Master of Information Studies (MISt) program at McGill University or the Maîtrise en sciences de l’information (MSI) at Université de Montréal and beginning their studies in the fall term.

Candidates must be citizens of First Nations, Métis or Inuit communities. Proof of Indigenous identity may be required.

Basic knowledge (Level 3) of spoken and written English is required.

Application and instructions

The applicant may apply to the program before being accepted by a university. Acceptance into the student librarian program is dependent upon the student enrolling in a Master’s degree program leading to a MISt. or MSI.

To apply, please submit the following documents:

1. Cover letter, including your goals for the program and future plans in the field of library and information studies (approximately 500 words);
   • When applying, the candidate should indicate in the cover letter to which school(s) they have applied or will apply.
2. One letter of recommendation from an instructor, supervisor (past or present), or a member of the community.
3. Upon acceptance to either McGill’s MISt. program or Université de Montréal’s MSI program, the applicant should forward the official offer of admission.

The following elements are not required for applicants:

• A resume/cv is optional, but not required;
• A university transcript is not required;
• Previous experience working in libraries, archives, museums, or cultural institutions is not required.

Deadline

Parts one and two of the application are due by February 15, 2027 by 5:00 PM (Eastern Time). The official offer of admission to McGill or Université de Montréal should be forwarded as soon as received. Submit to Ms. Megan Fitzgibbons at megan.fitzgibbons@concordia.ca.

Notice will be given in April.

The Concordia University Library Indigenous Student Librarian program is expected to start September 1, 2027. For more information about the program or for questions about the application process, please contact Ms. Megan Fitzgibbons, Associate University Librarian, Planning & Community Engagement, megan.fitzgibbons@concordia.ca.

For information about admissions to the McGill University MISt. program, please contact admissions.sis@mcgill.ca. For information about admission to the Université de Montréal MSI program, please contact ebsiinfo@ebsi.umontreal.ca. The deadlines for applying for admission to the master’s programs are January 15, 2027 (McGill) and February 1, 2027 (Université de Montréal).