Eligible incoming students may apply before confirming acceptance, however, acceptance into the student librarian program is dependent upon the student enrolling full-time in a Master’s degree program leading to a MISt. or MSI.
The Indigenous Student Librarian Program offers the opportunity for an indigenous student to work part-time as a student librarian (or archivist) at Concordia Library, while pursuing a master’s degree in information studies at either McGill or Université de Montréal. This initiative, led by Concordia University Library, is a partnership between three universities: Concordia, McGill University, and Université de Montréal.
Eligibility
The program is open to students with Canadian citizenship. Students 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.
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 including the opportunity to work in reference, instruction, special collections, and on special projects.
- To allow the student the opportunity to develop experience in areas of interest to begin a successful career in academic librarianship or archives.
The program is two years in length. It is expected that the Indigenous student librarian (or archivist) will complete their master’s degree within that time. The student will work alongside other student librarians, as well as all groups of library staff.
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 15 hours of work per week from September to April and 30 hours per week from May to August for both years. The rate of pay is currently $21.75/hour.
- Master’s degree tuition and student fees waived by 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 Aboriginal Student Resource Centre at Concordia University (https://www.concordia.ca/students/aboriginal.html).
- Possibility to attend one conference related to indigenous librarianship, such as the International Indigenous Librarians’ Forum.
Eligible incoming students can find the link for the Concordia application process here.
Application information for 2024 entry is currently pending.