CALL FOR Expressions of Interest: Digital Editors, InsideOCULA

InsideOCULA is accepting applications for multiple Digital Editors. These two-year volunteer positions have a time commitment of approximately 3–5 hours per month.

About InsideOCULA

InsideOCULA is the voice of the Ontario College and University Library Association (OCULA) and its members. We foster an engaged academic library community through shared spaces to connect with colleagues, share our experiences, and discuss the issues that matter to Ontario’s college and university libraries. Learn more about InsideOCULA.

We publish stories throughout the year via Open Shelf, the official magazine of the Ontario Library Association.

Editorial team

We are a dynamic team of volunteer professionals and students who pitch, edit, and publish articles on the WordPress platform. Our experienced members also provide leadership and mentor new volunteers: we value professional growth in a supportive and collaborative environment.

The current team:

• Maria Ruiz, University of Toronto Mississauga, Editor-in-Chief
• Amanda Achacon, Seneca Polytechnic, Digital Editor

The opportunity

Commitment

Digital Editors: These positions begin in winter 2024 (negotiable) and carry a two-year commitment; all work can be completed remotely. Typically, Digital Editors volunteer 3–5 hours per month, with some variation throughout the year based on projects and the publication schedule.

Responsibilities

Digital Editor (2-year term, renewable) are responsible for:

• Building relationships with contacts at Ontario’s academic libraries
• Pitching relevant stories for publication at monthly editorial meetings
• Editing and publishing stories on the Open Shelf WordPress platform
• Project work assigned by the Editors-in-chief

Digital Editors who are interested in leadership roles may shadow the Editors-in-chief to build experience, then take on the role of Editor-in-chief at the end of their term.

Benefits

These positions offer an excellent opportunity to demonstrate service in academic libraries with increasing levels of responsibility. Editors also gain experience writing, editing, and publishing web content in a collaborative environment, and develop wide professional networks as they build relationships with colleagues across Ontario.

Requirements

We are looking for information professionals who are passionate about communicating the exciting work happening in college and university libraries across Ontario!

We wish to emphasize that these qualifications are not required and that we are committed to helping and supporting our future colleagues develop these skills as needed.

Skills we’re looking for:

• Writing and editorial skills
• Experience using web publishing, communication, and collaboration tools
• Interpersonal, organizational, and time management skills
• Commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion
• Commitment to accessible publishing

All successful candidates must be OCULA members in good standing.

Expression of Interest Procedure

Interested candidates should send their expressions of interest to insideocula@gmail.com, including:

• Brief statement indicating interest
• Resume

We will begin reviewing expressions of interest after March 1, 2024.

Inclusivity & accessibility

InsideOCULA strives for diversity and inclusion, in both the stories we tell and the people who tell them. We welcome applications from racialized persons, persons of colour, women, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and others who will contribute to a diverse and representative editorial team.

We also strive for equitable perspectives on our editorial team, knowing that telling stories from information professionals in diverse positions and workplaces keeps us relevant to our readers. We welcome applications from candidates outside of the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area, employees at college libraries, library technicians, paraprofessionals, and students in college- or graduate-level library programs.

InsideOCULA is also committed to the principles of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), and we strive for equity in our recruitment and selection processes. We encourage candidates with disabilities, or who require any additional accommodations, to contact us directly to discuss their needs further.

Further questions about the recruitment and selection process, including questions about our commitments to diversity and inclusion, should be directed to insideocula@gmail.com.