HOLIDAY CLOSURE: All WPL locations will be CLOSED on Monday, February 16 for Family Day. Find more locations & hours info here.

Job Opportunities

Discover rewarding opportunities to contribute your skills, passion, and innovation in a dynamic library environment dedicated to fostering knowledge and enriching lives.

View Job Opportunities

Staff person peering through a shelf of books
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.

  • 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

  • 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:

  1. Eliminating racial and social equity barriers in library programs, services, policies and practices
  2. Creating and maintaining an environment of diversity, inclusion and respect both in our library systems and in all aspects of our community role
  3. Ensuring that we are reaching and engaging disenfranchised people in the community and helping them express their voice
  4. Serving as a convener and facilitator of conversations and partnerships to address community challenges
  5. 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

  • Supervisor, Programs & Partnerships

    Supervisor, Programs & Partnerships

    John M. Harper Branch / Full-Time Permanent / 35 hours per week

    We are seeking a collaborative, organized, and people-focused leader to join our team as Supervisor, Programs & Partnerships. This role plays a key part in bringing WPL’s programming vision to life by overseeing the planning, delivery, and evaluation of high-quality programs, events, and partnerships across the system.

    Our ideal candidate is someone who thrives in a fast-paced environment, enjoys supporting and developing others, and is comfortable balancing multiple priorities. If you value collaboration, excel at building effective relationships, and are motivated by creating meaningful and inclusive experiences for the community, this could be your next chapter!

    What You’ll Do:

    • Lead and support the development, delivery, and evaluation of system-wide library programs, events, and seasonal initiatives, including the Summer Reading Club.
    • Coordinate program and event initiatives across internal teams and external partners, using electronic project management tools to ensure timelines, standards, and desired outcomes are met.
    • Supervise, coach, and support a team of Program & Events Specialists, fostering accountability, professional growth, and high performance.
    • Analyze program data, evaluations, and statistics to inform decision-making, continuous improvement, and strategic direction.
    • Build and maintain effective partnerships with community organizations and represent the Library on relevant committees and outreach initiatives.
    • Apply sound judgement to manage competing priorities, resolve issues, and respond effectively to unexpected situations. Acts as Person in Charge (PIC) at the Library regularly.

    What We’re Looking For:

    • Minimum 2-year college diploma (preferably in Child Development Studies, Recreation & Leisure, or a related field) and at least 2 years of practical experience working directly with children or youth.
    • Minimum 3 years of supervisory experience, including delegating work, overseeing daily operations, and providing coaching and performance feedback.
    • Demonstrated experience building and sustaining partnerships with external organizations.
    • Demonstrated experience or equivalent knowledge of programming for children and adults.
    • Strong project management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple initiatives and deadlines simultaneously. Adaptable to change.
    • Excellent interpersonal, communication, and conflict-resolution skills, with proven ability to collaborate effectively across individuals and teams at all levels.
    • Strong critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities.
    • Interest in and ability to adapt to evolving technology and software tools.

    Schedule

    The regular schedule is Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Wednesdays 1:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. and 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 $72,363 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 fill out the application form below by February 18, 2026 at 4:00pm.

    Apply Now
  • Summer Reading Club Facilitator

    Summer Reading Club Facilitator (7 Positions)

    Multiple Library Locations / Full-Time Summer Contract (8 weeks + a day) / 35 hours per week

    The Summer Reading Club (SRC) at WPL offers free programming to encourage school-aged children to continue reading over the summer, while strengthening their sense of belonging through fun weekly activities and engagement with our awesome library staff!
    We are seeking several individuals who enjoy interacting with children and have a desire to foster a love for reading and learning through the delivery of the Summer Reading Club. Sound like you?

    What You’ll Do:

    • Onboard SRC participants and engage with them and their families regularly
    • Maintain participant database by updating attendance and club milestones
    • Assist with planning, coordinating and delivering SRC activities and programs for school-aged children
    • Assist with other library programs/events, circulation and other duties as assigned

    What We’re Looking For:

    • Previous experience working directly with school-aged children
    • Works well both independently and as part of a team
    • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
    • Reliable, motivated and can work with minimal supervision

    Schedule

    This contract position will run from June 29 to August 24, 2026. The weekly schedule will include day shifts (9:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.), two evening shifts (1:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.) and alternating Saturday shifts (9:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.) totaling 35 hours/week.

    Schedules are subject to change. Flexibility outside these times for scheduled events is required.

    The ability to work at any library location is required, although preference regarding your primary placement location will be considered.

    Eligibility

    These positions are available as part of a grant funding initiative therefore applicants must meet the eligibility criteria in order to be considered.

    Applicants must be:

    • Full-time students returning to school in the fall of 2026
    • Between the ages of 16-30 at the time the contract begins
    • Canadian citizens or permanent residents, and
    • Able to work the entire contract period of 8 weeks.

    Wage

    The hourly wage is $17.60.

    How to Apply

    To apply, please submit your cover letter and resume by February 27, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. through the online application form.

    Selected applicants will be invited to attend one of the following mandatory group interviews: March 24, 2026 from 4:00 – 5:30 p.m. or March 26, 2026 from 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.

    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.