Job Posting – Chief Librarian & Executive Officer
Ajax Public Library
Located just twenty minutes from Toronto, Ajax is part of the Greater Toronto Area, home to more than
six million people. The Town is a booming municipality of 120,000 within the Durham Region which
shoulders beautiful Lake Ontario. Ajax is one of the fastest growing municipalities in Ontario with a
diverse, highly skilled and educated population.
As the senior official, this position has overall responsibility for the leadership and general management
of the Ajax Public Library and acts as key advisor and liaison to the nine member Board. As CLEO you
will coordinate and oversee day-to-day administration through a talented team of staff, ensuring
legislative compliance, sound stewardship and fiscal management of the Library.
You will lead a staff of 22 full time and 52 part time across three Library branches with a collection of
205,000, circulation of 807,800 and 38,000 members. You will manage a budget of approximately $6
million and will be challenged to achieve improved funding while managing available resources to best
achieve Board approved Library objectives.
The Ajax Public Library (APL) operates under the Carver Model of Governance and the Chief Librarian &
Executive Officer reports directly to the APL Board of Trustees, who generally have skills and experience
not directly related to Library Operations. Thus educating and clearly informing Trustees is an important
responsibility of the CLEO.
Key duties/responsibilities include the following:
Function as Secretary/Treasurer to the Board.
Advise and counsel the Library Board on all matters related to the delivery of local Library services.
Plan the development of Library services in order to achieve the Board’s strategic Ends.
Oversee the execution of all aspects of Library administration and service delivery.
Participate in Library sector activities that benefit local Library service delivery.
Represent the Library on the Town’s Senior Management Team.
Represent the Library in the local community.
Maintain an awareness of trends or developments that could impact the delivery, or development, of local Library services.
Supervise and mentor direct staff reports
Our preferred candidate will have a Masters of Library and Information Service, combined with solid
executive management and leadership experience, preferably in a public library sector. You will be
familiar with the Carver Model of Governance, have a successful track record working with Board
members, elected officials and staff and you possess excellent communication skills that effectively
inform staff, stakeholders and the Board. In addition, you will be knowledgeable of library and managerial
best practices and know the benefits of optimizing technology. A strategic and critical thinker, you are
politically astute, an effective problem solver, and adept at change management and building consensus.
Your leadership approach is proactive, collaborative and inspiring. Moving the Library forward with a
strategic plan and making a community contribution are your primary motivators.
You will have a minimum of twelve significant and successful years in increasingly responsible
management positions in a public Library, proven experience in a municipal government environment,
experience with electronic systems and technologies that operate in libraries, a record of participation in
relevant professional associations and proven experience in labour negotiation.
The position offers a salary range of $162,357 to $180,397 plus a competitive benefits package. The
successful candidate will be required to provide a vulnerable sector screening as a condition of
employment and have a reliable method of transportation for attending meetings and events.
Additional information about this position and our Library can be found on our website at
https://www.ajaxlibrary.ca/?q=node/34 or via mail to:
We invite you to explore our community and this exciting career opportunity. Interested qualified
applicants are invited to forward their resume and covering letter via email to:
libraryboard@ajaxlibrary.ca
We thank all applicants for their interest. However, only those being considered for an interview will be
contacted. In accordance with the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act,
personal information is collected under the authority of the Municipal Act, and will only be used for
candidate selection.
The Ajax Public Library Board is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to inclusive, barrier-free recruitment and selection processes. Accommodations will be provided throughout the recruitment, hiring and employment process in accordance with the AODA and the Ontario Human Rights Code.